Influence of electrical conductivity on water uptake and vase life of cut gladiolus stems

Abstract

Several experiments reveal that distilled water varies among different laboratories and also does not have a standard composition. Water electrical conductivity (EC) of vase solution is one of the parameters that influence the water uptake by cut flowers. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of electrical conductivity on water uptake and vase life in cut stems of gladiolus. The stems harvested and kept in distilled water (pH 6.6, EC <0.01dS m -1 ) and tap water (pH 7.0, EC 0.75 dS m -1 ) at room temperature. Flowers kept in tap water showed lower fresh weight loss after the second day and higher water uptake during vase life. In a second set of experiments, we verified the limit EC saturation supported by the flower. . Keywords: Gladiolus grandiflora Hort., cut flowers, distilled water, longevity, RESUMO Influência da condutividade elétrica na absorção de água e vida de vaso de flores de gladíolosDiversos experimentos revelam que a qualidade da água destilada varia entre os diferentes laboratórios. A condutividade elétrica (CE) da solução de vaso é um dos parâmetros que influenciam na absorção de água pelas flores de corte. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da condutividade elétrica na absorção de água e vida de vaso de hastes de gladíolos. As hastes foram colhidas e mantidas em água destilada (pH 6,6 ; CE <0.01 dS m -1 ) e água da torneira (pH 7,0 ; CE 0,75 dS m -1 ), sob condições de temperatura ambiente. As flores mantidas em água de torneira apresentaram menor perda de peso fresco após segundo dia e maior absorção de água durante a vida de vaso. Em segundo experimento, verificou-se o limite de saturação da CE suportada pela flor. Para isso, as flores foram colocadas em tubos de ensaio individuais contendo quatro diferentes soluções com distintas concentrações de íons. Solução 2 (CE 0,60 dS m -1 ) promoveu o aumento da vida de vaso e o consumo máximo de água pelas flores. Os resultados mostram que a condutividade elétrica da solução de vaso é um parâmetro importante a ser avaliado em experimentos com a pós-colheita de flores de gladíolos. A presença de íons na solução de vaso aumenta a longevidade e melhora a absorção de água das hastes, com CE favorável entre 0,60-0,87 dS m -1 .

VASE WATER QUALITY IMPACT POSTHARVEST PERFORMANCE OF CUT Polianthes tuberosa L.‘SINGLE’ SPIKES

“…Besides, the stems kept in distilled water had higher water uptake (Ahmad et al, 2013). The presence of ions in the vase solution may increase the overall vase life (da Costa, 2015). The poor performance of tuberose spikes kept in tap water from various sources of tap water could be due to greater variation in physico-chemical properties which greatly affect postharvest longevity and water relations of the cut flowers (Saleem et al, 2014).…”

“…On the other hand, shorter vase life of tuberose cut spike (Table 3) and florets (Table 4) characteristics in vase solution containing canal water and various sources of tap water might be related to higher pH, EC and soluble salts ( Table 1). Presence of ions in the vase solution may increase the overall vase life and improve water uptake of flowers with favorable optimal EC between 0.60 to 0.87 dS m -1 (da Costa, 2015). The study concluded that tuberose spikes kept in carbonated plus distilled water (1:1) had longer vase life, highest water uptake, more relative fresh weight, delayed florets opening time, more open florets percentage and superior quality as compared to all other water sources followed by in distilled, deionizes and reverse osmosis water.…”

Postharvest physiology of cut flowers

“…Cut flowers have limited shelf life due to the depletion of organic reserve compounds by respiration (Finger et al, 2016), bacteria and fungi infection (Muñoz et al, 2019), withering (Elhindi, 2012a), mechanical damage (Fernandes et al, 2020), storage temperature (Menegaes et al, 2019), water quality (Van Doorn, 2012;Costa et al, 2015a), and increase on ethylene sensitivity (Khunmuang et al, 2019). Respiration is inversely related to potential postharvest storage (Tinebra et al, 2021), especially in flowers in which organic respiratory reserves are minimal.…”

“…Exposure to unsuitable temperatures for long periods also negatively affects the life span of cut flowers (Çelikel and Reid, 2002). Water quality and presence of contaminants, such as fungi or bacteria, or the high content of salts, especially chlorine, also impair their shelf life (Costa et al, 2015a). Despite the influence of ethylene in reducing the life span of ornamental crops, many cut flowers respond to the application of abscisic acid, gibberellins, and cytokinins (Khunmuang et al, 2019).…”

“…Among the several techniques available to increase shelf life and storage of cut flowers, the appropriate control of temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric composition are the most important ones (Fernandes et al, 2020). In addition, treatments with substances that reduce the water stress, delay the senescence event, or extend the shelf life of cut flowers can be highlighted (Van Doorn, 2012;Costa et al, 2015a). The main postharvest substances include sugars, as energy supply, and acidifiers, to reduce pathogenic fungi and bacteria proliferation and to prevent xylem occlusion (Gul et al, 2020;Gómez-Merino et al, 2020).…”