Water relations in cut calla lily flowers maintained under different postharvest solutions

Abstract

The use of chemicals in storage solutions has proved beneficial for the postharvest conservation of cut flowers. However, the effect of these solutions on the water relations of some species is still unknown. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the water relations in calla lily flowers harvested at different stages and maintained under postharvest solutions with different chemicals. The flower stems were harvested in two stages of spathe opening: the early stage (cartridge) and the 1/3 flower opening stage. The flower stems were dipped in solutions with water (control), 100 mg L-1 sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), 100 mg L-1 aluminum sulfate [Al2(SO4)3], 200 mg L-1 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) and 10 mg L-1 silver nitrate (AgNO3). Over 9 days, the floral stems were kept in a room at 21 ± 2 °C and 75% ± 5% relative humidity and evaluated for changes in the pH of the solution and the water absorption, transpiration and commercial quality of the cut flowers. The addition of conservation substances to the storage solution induced spathe opening at both harvest stages and promoted water absorption by the stems, thus increasing the efficiency of flower hydration. The water balance maintenance was best for stems stored in water and storage solutions with Al2(SO4)3.

Exogenous applications of gibberellic acid modulate the growth, flowering and longevity of calla lily

“…To determine the effect of spray time and GA 3 concentrations on vase life of calla lily, flower spikes devoid of any visual defects were harvested at commercial maturity stage when spathes were 1/3 rd open [ 26 ]. After harvesting cut spikes were immediately placed in container with clean water and brought to the laboratory within 15 min.…”

Starch-based films for Red Torch ginger inflorescences postharvest conservation

“…The volume of water consumed was determined, in mL/stem/day, to evaluate the hydration capacity of each flowering stem. After determining the volume consumed, water replacement was performed (Sales et al, 2021).…”

Editorial: Quality of Ornamental Crops: Effect of Genotype, Preharvest, and Improved Production Chains on Quality Attributes of Ornamental Crops

“…Quality can be preserved during the distribution chain by controlling the post-production conditions (Manfredini et al, 2017 ; Sales et al, 2021 ). Cut flowers quality can be preserved after harvest by lowering the metabolism.…”