Post-harvest longevity of leaves of the sea lavender (Limonium latifolium (Sm.) Kuntze) after application of growth regulators

Abstract

Janowska B., Grabowska R., Ratajczak E., 2013. Post-harvest longevity of leaves of the sea lavender (Limonium latifolium (Sm.) Kuntze) after application of growth regulators. Hort. Sci. (Prague), 40: 172-176.Conditioning is a simple and eff ective method of post-harvest longevity of both fl owers and fl orists' greens. Performing this treatment immediately after harvest by the producer increases the quality of fl oral products expressed as their post-harvest longevity. Th e purpose of this study was to assess the infl uence of four growth regulators from the gibberellin and cytokinin groups applied as a 4-h conditioning treatment of leaf blades and to determine any eff ects on post-harvest longevity of leaves of Limonium latifolium. Th e leaves were harvested early in the morning from the department of ornamental plants collection. Selected leaves were fully-developed and had no damage or discolouring. Gibberellic acid, benzyladenine, meta-methoxytopolin and its riboside at the concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 mg/dm 3 were taken up in a solution for 4-h leaf-conditioning of Limonium latifolium at the temperature of 18-20°C. After the conditioning treatment the leaves were placed in distilled water. Leaves placed into distilled water immediately after cutting served as control. Gibberellic acid, benzyladenine and topolins applied as leaf conditioning treatment extended the post-harvest longevity of leaves of Limonium latifolium. Examined growth regulators, with the exception of riboside of meta-methoxytopolin, also had a favourable eff ect on the index of leaf greenness.

Effect of different vase solutions on postharvest longevity of cut foliage <i>Ophiopogon</i> <i>japonicus</i>

“…Results of the BAP treatments agreed with the findings of Janowska et al (2013) in that the application of benzyladenine enhanced the leaf greenness and its quality. Furthermore, vase life of O. japonicus treated with BAP was significantly higher than DW (Table 1) and it is in agreement with the ability of enhancement of chlorophyll content by BAP treatments.…”

“…Moreover, results obtained from this study were in agreement with Subhashini et al (2011) who reported that 5 mg/L BAP as a pulse treatment for 24 h was the most effective treatment to enhance the marketability of cut leaves of Dracaena marginata 'Bi colour', D. sanderiana 'White' and D. deremensis. According to Janowska et al (2013) During leaf senescence process, chlorophyll breakdown is initiated with the removal of the phytol tail. This reaction is catalyzed by the chlorophyllase enzyme (Gupta et al, 2011).…”

Post-harvest longevity of ornamental grasses conditioned in gibberellic acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate

“…The senescence of cut flowers or florists' greens is connected with the stress induced by stopping the supply of water, nutrients as well as hormones (Halevy and Mayak 1979). A longer post-harvest longevity of leaves following gibberellic acid conditioning was also reported by Janowska and Jerzy (2003) in Zantedeschia elliottiana, by Rabiza-Świder and Skutnik (2006) in Hippeastrum × chmielii, by Skutnik et al (2006) in phylloclades of Asparagus densiflorus and by Janowska et al (2013) in Limonium latifolium. This is an effect frequently observed in experiments, since leaves as organs separated from the rest of the plant are not capable of synthesising gibberellins (Marciniak et al 2012).…”

“…by Spartina pectinata 'Aureomarginata', which had the longest post-harvest longevity and the highest index of leaf greenness value. If gibberellic acid conditioning results in an extension of post-harvest longevity, it also has an advantageous effect on the chlorophyll content in leaves (Janowska et al 2013). A positive effect of Zantedeschia 'Sunglow' leaf conditioning in gibberellic acid solution on chlorophyll losses was observed by Janowska and Stanecka (2011).…”

“…This results from the great variety of species and differences in the process of leaf senescence in comparison to flowers (Janowska and Stanecka 2011). Growth regulators and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate are most commonly used to extend the vase life of leafy flowering shoots (Pacifici et al 2007, Elgimabi andAhmed 2009 (Janowska and Schroeter-Zakrzewska 2008), Cordyline (Koziara and Suda 2008), Limonium latifolium (Janowska et al 2013) and the phylloclades of Asparagus falcatus (Skutnik and Rabiza-Świder 2008). The longevity of the cut leaves or leaf shoots of ornamental grasses has not yet been investigated in Poland.…”