Postharvest Spectral Light Composition Affects Chilling Injury in Anthurium Cut Flowers

Abstract

The effect of the lighting environment during postharvest storage of ornamentals has largely been neglected in previous research. Anthurium is a cold-sensitive species originating from tropical climates and is widely cultivated all around the world for its colorful spathes. To investigate the effects of light spectrum on the performance of Anthurium cut flowers under cold storage, two cultivars [Calore (red spathe) and Angel (withe spathe)] were placed at low temperature (4°C), either in darkness (D) or under different light spectra [red (R), blue (B), 70:30% red:blue (RB), and white (W)] at an intensity of 125 µmol.m −2 .s −1. In both cultivars, the longest and shortest vase lives were observed in spathes exposed to the R and B spectra, respectively. In both cultivars, electrolyte leakage (EL) of spathe was highest under the B and W spectra and lowest under the R spectrum. The highest rate of flower water loss from the spathes was observed under the B-containing light spectra, whereas the lowest rate of water loss was observed in D and under the R spectrum. Negative correlations were observed between EL and vase life and between anthocyanin concentration and EL for both Anthurium cultivars. A positive correlation was found between anthocyanin concentration and vase life. For both Anthurium cultivars, spectral light composition with higher percentage of B resulted in higher EL and as a result shorter vase life in cut flowers under cold storage condition. The negative effect of the B light spectrum on vase life of Anthurium can be explained through its effect on water loss and on oxidative stress and membrane integrity. The quality of Anthurium cut flowers should benefit from environments with restricted B light spectrum during postharvest handling.

Comparative Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Osmolytes Analysis of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seedlings under an Aeroponics System with Different LED Light Sources

“…The ratio of red spectrum ranged from 40 to 60%, with other light sources increasing the TSC and sugar in L7, L8, L9, and L10 (Figure 6). The monochromatic red, blue, and their combined spectra manifested decreased soluble carbohydrate in Anthurium cut flowers in a previous study [63]. Our present study also found a lower TSC and sucrose content in combined red-blue spectra compared to all other treatments.…”

Review of recent advances in post-harvest techniques for tropical cut flowers and future prospects: Heliconia as a case-study

“…The key CI symptoms of Anthuriumare 'Browning' and 'Blueing' of the spathes and wilting of spadixes (Promyou et al, 2012;Aghdam et al, 2015). Generally, storing Anthurium at an optimum temperature of 10-12°C controls these symptoms (Reid and Wu, 1992;Balas et al, 2006;Aliniaeifard et al, 2020). However, Paull (1987) found exceptions regarding the storage of some other Anthurium varieties at higher temperatures (14-17°C).…”

Use of Light Stimuli as a Postharvest Technology for Cut Flowers

“…However, petal growth and vase life of cut roses changed when exposed to different light environments even without leaves (Horibe et al, 2020 ), indicating that responses of cut flowers to light stimuli cannot be explained only by the function of leaves. In addition, blue light resulted in shorter vase life in cut anthurium ( Anthurium andraeanum ) under cold storage and the negative effect of blue light was attributed to its effect on increased water loss and oxidative stress (Aliniaeifard et al, 2020 ). There are still many unsolved questions between light stimuli and flower responses.…”