Nonuniform Coloration of Harvested Flower Buds of Double-flowered <i>Eustoma</i> is Reduced by Methyl Jasmonate Treatment

Abstract

Double-flowered Eustoma, a popular cut flower, sometimes shows nonuniform coloration of its petals when harvested at the flower bud stage. At the tips of the petals, pale greenish areas remain after the flowers open. This considerably reduces the value of cut Eustoma. In this study, to identify appropriate postharvest treatments leading to normal coloration of these cut flower buds, we investigated the influence of harvest stage, temperature, sugar, and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on petal coloration using the Eustoma 'Voyage (Type II) Blue'. Investigation of the harvest stage, which was compared at three flower bud stages (STG2, 3, and 4), revealed that detached pale greenish flower buds (STG2 and 3) had a high probability of becoming nonuniformly colored flowers, so these stages were used for subsequent investigations. Temperature, which was investigated at 20, 25, 30, and 35°C, did not show any influence on petal coloring. Investigation of sugar treatments, such as 1% or 3% glucose or sucrose, also showed no influence. However, MeJA treatment led to a significant difference in petal coloration. The nonuniform coloration of petals was reduced by continuous exposure to MeJA vapor. Furthermore, we performed shorter MeJA treatments, such as for 1 or 2 days after harvesting, which reduced the nonuniform coloration as well as continuous MeJA exposure. To evaluate the effect of MeJA treatment on petal coloration, we measured the rate of pale green areas of petals using digital images. The analysis revealed that the greenish areas in petals exposed to MeJA vapor were significantly smaller than in petals not exposed to MeJA. In addition, there were fewer days to flowering after MeJA treatment. We concluded that postharvest treatment with MeJA is effective for reducing nonuniform coloration of early harvested flower buds of the double-flowered Eustoma 'Voyage (Type II) Blue'.

Effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate and light condition on grape berry coloration and endogenous abscisic acid content

“…The boxes were then placed in the incubator (23°C; 16/8 hr light/dark or constant darkness). MeJA vapor treatment was performed as described by Mizuno et al, 19) with some modifications. Vapor was prepared by placing MeJA/EtOH (1 : 9) onto a filter paper in a Petri dish in the boxes.…”

“…16,17) Furthermore, MeJA has been reported to promote anthocyanin accumulation in detached Petunia flowers. 18) Mizuno et al 19) reported that postharvest treatment with MeJA was effective in reducing nonuniform coloration in early harvested flower buds of doubled-flowered Eustoma. Prohydrojasmon (PDJ), a synthetic analog of JA, was developed as a plant growth regulator; however, similar to ABA application, the bags should be removed to apply PDJ during the cultivation of grape berries and then reattached.…”

UFGT: The Key Enzyme Associated with the Petals Variegation in Japanese Apricot

“…Cytokinins have been found to induce anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Das et al, 2012 ). JAs affect color formation via interaction with ET biosynthesis in plants (Rudell et al, 2005 ; Mizuno et al, 2016 ). In Arabidopsis , JAs affect anthocyanins accumulation via interaction of JA ZIM domain proteins with MYB-bHLH-WD40 complex (Qi et al, 2011 ).…”

Methyl Jasmonate Treatment Delays Flower Opening and Petal Wilting of Three Cut Rose Cultivars

“…Although MeJA demonstrated its potential as a quality retention agent for controlling the speed of cut rose flower opening, appropriate treatment concentration should be investigated by using more cultivars henceforth. Mizuno et al (2017) reported that uneven coloration of cut Eustoma was reduced by treatment with MeJA and that 1 day of this treatment was sufficient to achieve the effect. Thus, shortening the duration of treatment with MeJA in cut roses may be effective in reducing the occurrence of adverse effects.…”

“…For example, it has been suggested that MeJA may be used to enhance the quality of grape and wine (Portu et al 2015) and to increase the concentration of anthocyanins in blackberries (Wang et al 2008) and apples (Shafiq et al 2013). Although few studies have investigated the effect of MeJA on flower opening, the only promotion was found in Eustoma (Ochiai et al 2013;Mizuno et al 2017). In addition, our previous study assessed the flower opening of rose 'Meivildo', characterized with a short vase life.…”