Dry Storage Effects on Postharvest Performance of Selected Cut Flowers

Abstract

<jats:p>Effects of wet and dry storage methods were compared to improve postharvest performance of specialty cut flower species. While increasing duration of storage reduced vase life, vase life declined less with dry storage for marigold (<jats:italic>Tagetes erecta</jats:italic>) and rose (<jats:italic>Rosa hybrida</jats:italic>), but not for zinnia (<jats:italic>Zinnia elegans</jats:italic>) or lisianthus (<jats:italic>Eustoma grandiflorum</jats:italic>) over wet storage. Marigold stems had 1.9, 4.6, and 1.5 days longer vase life after 1, 2, or 3 weeks in dry storage, respectively, as compared with storage in water. Zinnia stems did not tolerate either wet or dry storage, while lisianthus stems had a longer vase life when stored in water as compared with dry storage. For rose, dry storage for 2 weeks increased vase life compared with wet storage. Dry stored marigold and lisianthus stems had higher water uptake after being placed in the vase as compared with the stems stored in water, while zinnia and rose had less uptake. Storage method had no effect on leaf relative water content (LRWC) in lisianthus, marigold, and zinnia; however, LRWC decreased with increased storage duration. This necessitates evaluation of storage method and duration effects for each species and cultivar to ensure extended storage life and improve postharvest quality.</jats:p>

Effect of postharvest handling procedures on cut Capsicum stems

“…and zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) need to be put in water or a hydration solution immediately after harvest (Nowak and Rudnicki, 1990;Ahmad et al, 2012). However, marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) (Ahmad et al, 2012), obedient plant [Physostegia purpurea (Walter) S.F.…”

“…need to be put in water or a hydration solution immediately after harvest (Nowak and Rudnicki, 1990;Ahmad et al, 2012). However, marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) (Ahmad et al, 2012), obedient plant [Physostegia purpurea (Walter) S.F. Bake] (Kelly and Starman, 1990), and rose (Rosa L.) (Macnish et al, 2009) can be handled dry after harvest without any significant loss of quality.…”

“…Regan and Dole (2010) found that Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br 'Vivas Blue' stock should be held dry at 2°C for 4-7 days for a longer vase life. Species such as zinnia and gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker f) do not adapt well to dry storage (Nowak and Rudnicki 1990;Ahmad et al, 2012). Presently, there are no recommendations regarding the optimum storage time and procedures for cut peppers.…”

Harvest Index and Refrigeration in Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shin.) ‘Magic Blue’

“…In Mexico, after the harvest of inflorescences, these are transferred to the packaging area, where basal leaves are eliminated and stems are selected based in their quality, so that they can be placed in bouquets, and finally in water for the transportation or sale (Pérez-Arias et al, 2014). Transportation to sale points at retail is dry, with no refrigeration, and transportation time varies between 2 to 12 h, which can significantly affect its vase life (Ahmad et al, 2012;Pérez-Arias et al, 2014). Reid and Jiang (2012) indicate that postharvest life of cut flowers decreases up to 40 % due to the lack of temperature management during transportation.…”

“…En México, después de la cosecha de las inflorescencias, éstas son transferidas al área de empaque donde se eliminan las hojas basales y se seleccionan los tallos en base a su calidad, para luego ser colocados en bouquets y finalmente en agua para su posterior transporte o venta (Pérez-Arias et al, 2014). El transporte a lugares de venta al menudeo es en seco, sin refrigeración y el tiempo de transporte varía entre 2 y 12 h, lo cual puede afectar significativamente su vida en florero (Ahmad et al, 2012;Pérez-Arias et al, 2014). Reid y Jiang (2012) indican que la vida poscosecha de las flores de corte disminuye hasta 40 % debido a la falta de manejo de la temperatura durante el transporte.…”