THE EFFECT OF SILICON ON MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. ‘VARIEGATUM’ CUT SHOOTS

Abstract

Garden perennials are a source of floristry material produced in field or under covers. A perennial producing long, leafy shoots, which in flower arrangements might successfully substitute fern or palm leaves, is Polygonatum multiflorum. The variety characterizing with decorative white margined leaves is 'Variegatum'. To improve their quality, the growth stimulator Actisil Hydro Plus, which contains 0.6% of active silicon in a form of orthosilicic acid was applied. The aim of the conducted experiment was to estimate the influence of silicon and a place of cultivation (tunnel and open field) on post-harvest quality determined with morphological features, vase life longevity and mechanical properties of Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. 'Variegatum' stems. The plants were sprayed with water solutions of Actisil in concentrations: 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%, six times during the growing season in weekly intervals, starting from the first decade of May, always in the morning. It was stated that cultivation of Polygonatum in the unheated foil tunnel increases quality of shoots for cut greenery, determined with morphological features and post-harvest longevity. Cultivation of Polygonatum in a foil tunnel and spraying plants with Actisil in concentrations of 0.3 or 0.4% is advantageous due to possibility to increase a number of shoots from 20% to over 31%, their length from 9% to 11% and fresh weight from 52% to 71%, in comparison to control plants. It is advised to treat plants cultivated in a tunnel, with Actisil in concentration of 0.4% as it improved shoots quality evaluated with their diameter and lower leaves blade area. Spraying plants with Actisil in concentrations of 0.2-0.4% in the tunnel and 0.2% in field prolongs post-harvest shoots longevity by 3-4 days. Plants cultivated in the tunnel characterize with higher strength of shoots determined with higher maximum force causing permanent damage and lower stem deflection than plants cultivated in field. Plants grown in a tunnel and sprayed with Actisil in concentrations of 0.4% characterized with the strongest shoots after 14 days of storage, however a similar effect was observed with the concentration of 0.3% and in case of plants cultivated in field and sprayed with 0.4% of Actisil.

The longevity of cut <i>Polygonatum multiflorum</i> (L.) All. shoots depending on postharvest handling

“…It is comparable to the longevity of other ornamental cut greenery, for example, Chamelaucium uncinatum and Rumohra adiantiformis (Sacalis, 1998). However, the value is lower than in the experiment conducted by Rubinowska et al (2014) and Pogroszewska et al (2018).…”

“…e positive effect of GA 3 on postharvest longevity was also observed for Mathiola incana (Ferrante et al, 2009), Lilium candidum (Han, 2000), Zantedeschia aethiopica (Skutnik et al, 2001), and Weigela florida (Rubinowska et al, 2012). Danaee et al (2011), who studied Gerbera jamesonii 'Good Timing' , observed some interesting results.…”

“…However, Paull and Chantrachit (2001) observed the opposite effect of BA in an experiment with Lycopodium and Arundina graminifolia. Experiments conducted in Solidago canadensis (Philosoph-Hadas et al, 1996), Hypericum × inodorum (Janowska & Śmigielska, 2010), and Weigela florida (Rubinowska et al, 2012) did not show a positive effect of BA either. erefore, the effect is likely to depend on the plant species.…”

“…However, the existing literature does not provide any treatment methods influencing the postharvest longevity of Polygonatum multiflorum shoots. As noted by Rubinowska et al (2014) and Pogroszewska et al (2018), the longevity of cut shoots of Polygonatum multiflorum 'Variegatum' harvested from the field ranges from 15 to 22 days. Conditioning is a method of treatment that involves the application of chemicals for a few hours aer cutting the shoots or leaves.…”

Effect of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) on the Biochemical and Physiological Parameters of Postharvest Quality of Polygonatum multiflorum L. All. ‘Variegatum’ Cut Foliage

“…In recent years, this plant has become more and more popular in European gardens. P. multiflorum is a perennial that produces long, profuse leafy stems, which, in floral arrangements, might successfully substitute fern or palm leaves [29]. An especially decorative variety of the species is 'Variegatum,' with white edges of the leaves [29].…”