Postharvest Physiology and Technology of Cut Eustoma Flowers

Abstract

A long vase life of cut flowers is valued highly by consumers. Cut Eustoma flowers have gained popularity during recent decades in Japan but there are few studies on the postharvest physiology and technology of the flowers. The vase life of cut Eustoma flowers is not long and varies among cultivars. Ethylene is involved in flower senescence and pollination accelerates this process. The Eustoma inflorescence has many flowers and buds; therefore, to improve the postharvest quality of Eustoma inflorescence, promoting bud opening as well as delaying senescence of the open flower are important. This review summarizes the factors affecting vase life and describes effective treatments for cut Eustoma flower stems to extend their vase life.

Post-harvest Physiology of Flowers from the Family Gentianaceae

“…The quality and color of Eustoma cut flowers can be improved and maintained by pulsing them after harvest with an increased (10-20 %) concentration of sucrose solution for less than 24 h at low temperature (Reid 2009). Shimizu-Yumoto and Ichimura (2010b) reported the damage on leaves caused by a high concentration of sucrose and suggested that pulsing at high relative humidity (86 %) decreased leaf damage. Cho et al (2001) found that the longevity of flowers was improved further if sucrose was present continuously in the vase solution.…”

“…A bactericide is generally included in the solution during wet storage. The effects of different treatments for wet and dry transport on post-harvest quality of cut Eustoma flowers under simulated conditions were investigated by Shimizu-Yumoto and Ichimura (2010b). A pulse solution with 0.2 mM STS, 4 % sucrose, and 10 μM ABA prior to transport, and treatment with 1 % sucrose during wet transport extended the vase life of inflorescences and foliage and promoted bud opening in cut flowers of Eustoma.…”

“…Shimizu-Yumoto and Ichimura (2006Ichimura ( , 2010b investigated the pollination-related flower properties of Eustoma cultivars with different vase lives, which ranged from 8.8 to 16.8 days. They found considerable variation in distance from the stigma to anthers and in the pollinated area of the stigmatic surface, which affect the risk of pollination during handling and transport.…”

The Gentianaceae - Volume 2: Biotechnology and Applications

“…Harbaugh et al (2000) investigated the post-harvest performance of 47 cultivars of E. grandiflorum. Shimizu-Yumoto and Ichimura (2006Ichimura ( , 2010b investigated the pollination-related flower properties of Eustoma cultivars with different vase lives, which ranged from 8.8 to 16.8 days. The cut flowers of cultivars of another gentian, G. triflora, responded to the post-harvest treatments differently.…”

Cloning and Characterization of a cDNA Encoding Sucrose Synthase Associated with Flower Opening through Early Senescence in Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

“…To prolong this period, many investigators have studied the mechanism of flower opening (Harada et al, 2010;van Doorn and van Meeteren, 2003;Yamada et al, 2009a, b), and senescence (Hoeberichts et al, 2007;Hunter et al, 2004;Satoh, 2011;Shimizu-Yumoto and Ichimura, 2010;van Doorn and Woltering, 2008). We have been studying the molecular mechanism of flower opening using cut carnation flowers as a model ornamental.…”