Multivariate Analysis of Relations between Preharvest Environmental Factors, Postharvest Morphological and Physiological Factors, and Vase Life of Cut ‘Asami Red’ Roses

Abstract

Rose (Rosa hybrida L.) 'Asami Red' plants were grown in a glasshouse for a year and the preharvest environmental parameters, and morphological and physiological parameters of individual cut flowers at harvest and during the postharvest period were recorded. Principal component analysis showed interrelations between the parameters: rose plants grown under "dry" conditions, i.e., high temperature, low relative humidity, and consequent high vapor pressure deficit, produced cut flowers having delayed wilting symptoms, resulting in a long vase life; cut roses with a high transpiration rate in the dark at harvest could not maintain their water relations properly, resulting in a shorter vase life; roses grown under "dry" conditions had small stomata and a low transpiration rate in the dark at harvest. These results indicate that humidity conditions are key preharvest environmental factor affecting the vase life of cut roses, and roses grown under "dry" conditions develop more functional stomata, regulate their water relations properly after harvest, and have a longer vase life. Multiple regression analysis to predict the vase life from preharvest environmental parameters and morphological and physiological parameters at harvest generated a significant equation (Y = −0.0971·X 1 + 0.0242·X 2 − 0.3275·X 3 − 2.84792·X 4 − 0.4859·X 5 + 15.397, where Y is the number of days of vase life; X 1 -X 5 are the daily minimum relative humidity, ratio of the stem diameter of the neck and cut end, stomatal width, water potential in the light, and transpiration rate in the dark, respectively; R 2 = 0.618; P < 0.001).

Study of Nutrient Solution Management in Soilless Rose Cultivation Through the Analysis of Physiological Parameters and Nutrient Absorption

“…Hence, it was probably more influenced by factors taking place before xylem blockage was fully developed. This is in agreement with the findings of In et al (2007). The water loss to water uptake ratio on the 1 st day after harvest was negatively and highly correlated with rose commercial longevity (Eq.…”

“…This preharvest climate parameter has been considered to have a high repercussion on subsequent vase life of flower shoots (Mortensen and Giserøld, 1999;Marissen and Benninga, 2001;In et al, 2007). For instance, the shorter vase life in winter has been put down to the high RH of this season (Slootweg et al, 2001).…”

“…For instance, the shorter vase life in winter has been put down to the high RH of this season (Slootweg et al, 2001). RH affects water loss of flower shoots through its effect on ABA levels, which influence stomatal anatomy and functionality (Franks and Farquhar, 2001;Torre and Fjeld, 2001;Torre et al, 2003;In et al, 2007). Rose plants grown under low RH conditions have smaller functional stomata and are able to regulate their water relations properly after harvest, resulting therefore in a longer vase life than rose plants grown under high RH conditions (Torre et al, 2003;In et al, 2007).…”

“…RH affects water loss of flower shoots through its effect on ABA levels, which influence stomatal anatomy and functionality (Franks and Farquhar, 2001;Torre and Fjeld, 2001;Torre et al, 2003;In et al, 2007). Rose plants grown under low RH conditions have smaller functional stomata and are able to regulate their water relations properly after harvest, resulting therefore in a longer vase life than rose plants grown under high RH conditions (Torre et al, 2003;In et al, 2007). Also, Torre and Fjeld (2001) observed that the osmotic concentration of roses grown at RH=90% was 10% lower than in roses grown at RH=70%, both in leaves and petals, suggesting a lower ability to prevent loss of turgor when water deficit develops in the tissue.…”

Effect of (Changes In) Air Humidity on Transpiration and (Adaptation Of) Stomatal Closure of Tradescantia Leaves During Water Stress

“…Among the environmental conditions during the cultivation period that influence the vase life of cut flowers air humidity is one of the most important, as shown for roses Fjeld, 1995, 1998;Mortensen and Gislerød, 1997, 1999, 2000In et al, 2007). This effect of air humidity during the pre-harvest phase is mainly due to its effect on stomatal behaviour of the cut flowers.…”