1990. Efect of antimicrobial compounds on the number of bacteria in stems of cut rosepowers. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 68, 117-122.The presence of chlorine in solution (bleach), a slow release chlorine (DICA), a quaternary ammonium compound (benzalkonium chloride), a hydroxyquinoline compound (HQC), or aluminium sulphate in the vase water decreased the number of bacteria in stems of cut 'Sonia' roses, with respect to untreated controls. However, when the concentration of the antimicrobial compound was high enough to reduce the number of bacteria in stems (measured after 7 d of vase life) to below the detection limit, the roses showed severe leaf chlorosis and leaf abscission. Benzalkonium chloride resulted in damage at a concentration just enough to reduce the number of bacteria in stems. Effects of HQC, aluminium sulphate, and silver nitrate on the number of bacteria were variable. In experiments in which HQC was relatively ineffective, only one bacterial strain was found in the stem. This strain grew on HQC concentrations as high as 400 mgjl, and was identified as Pseudomonas Juorescens.
Stems of cut rose flowers (Rosa hybrids L., cvs. Sonia, Ilona, Polka, and Frisco) were held in a sodium hypochlorite solution and then placed in distilled water or in a buffer at pH 6.0. After 2 days, many bacteria were found in the basal end of the stems, even when the number of bacteria in the water was below the detection limit. The hydraulic conductance of 5-cm stem segments was reduced whenever the number of bacteria exceeded =106 cfu/g fresh weight. Adding HQC or a buffer at pH 3.0 limited the number of bacteria in stems. Hydraulic conductance of the stems held in these solutions for 2 days was as in stems of freshly harvested flowers. Thus, HQC and low pH prevent vascular blockage by reducing the number of bacteria in the stems. No evidence was found for the hypothesis that HQC and low pH inhibit a stem-induced vascular blockage.
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