Postharvest physiology of cut flowers

Abstract

The longevity of cut flowers is limited by their ephemeral nature and by multiple stresses. Impairment in water uptake, depletion of stored carbohydrates, increases in both respiratory activity and ethylene production are signatures of flower senescence. A wide range of techniques is available to extend flower preservation, including the use of flower preservative solutions, ethylene action inhibitors, growth regulators, and control of temperature and flower dehydration. The use of sucrose in pulsing solution, or as a component of vase solution, extends the vase life of flowers by either improving water balance and energy or delaying the senescence via reductions in ethylene biosynthesis. Inhibitors of ethylene production and action affect the longevity by extending the vase life of some ethylene-sensitive flowers. Flowers have intense respiratory activity, which may deplete the limited reserves of carbohydrates in the tissues. Lower temperatures markedly reduce both carbon dioxide concentration and ethylene production as well as its action. However, chilling-sensitive flowers, such as bird-of-paradise, heliconia, orchid, and ginger, cannot be stored below 10 to 13°C due to the intense development of tissue discoloration.

Starch-based films for Red Torch ginger inflorescences postharvest conservation

“…In cut flowers, the carbohydrate reserves may increase the longevity potential of the flowers (Mattos et al, 2018). For some species, the carbohydrates present in the flower can support an increase in postharvest durability of the flower, while in other species; they are not enough to supply the metabolism of the flowering stems after cutting (Costa et al, 2021). Thus, the maintenance of the sugar content in the Red Torch ginger inflorescences coated with 6% starch compared to the other treatments (0, 2%, 4%) shows the efficiency of this coating in delaying the consumption of reserves and increasing the postharvest durability.…”

“…Postharvest quality is related to the maintenance of plant metabolism and delayed senescence, so its improvement requires an analysis of physiological and biochemical aspects (Costa et al, 2021;Favero et al, 2020). To increase the durability of cut flowers, postharvest technologies such as films on the surface of the product and modification of the atmosphere around it have been used.…”

Longevity and post-harvest quality of cut ornamental sunflower floral

“…In evaluating harvest points of sunflower 'Sunbright Supreme', Nascimento et al ( 2019) also observed that stems harvested while still closed showed greater commercial durability. The greater longevity observed in stems harvested in R4 is a consequence of the greater potential for water absorption, retention, and transport in stem tissues, characteristics that have been pointed out as effective for obtaining greater postharvest durability of cut flowers (Nascimento et al, 2019;Costa et al, 2021).…”

“…Cut flower quality and post-harvest longevity depend on factors such as handling, environment, stage of development, hormonal balance, carbohydrate content, and the water relations that constitute one of the main factors that play a critical role in regulating cut flower senescence (Costa et al, 2021). The stage of development of cut flowers directly influences the total durability.…”

“…The stage of development of cut flowers directly influences the total durability. To this end, the harvest point is variable between species and cultivars and should be considered according to the physiology of flower development and the proximity of the consumer market (Curti et al, 2012;Nascimento et al, 2019;Costa et al, 2021).…”