Postharvest Physiology and Technology of Potted Ficus for Export

摘要

The postharvest physiology and technology of potted ficus {Ficus microcarpa L.f.), including the effects of different potting media, storage and transportation conditions, and different postharvest handling procedures, were investigated in order to develop effective methods in controlling defoliation and enhancing postharvest quality in export system. The results showed that the correlation coefficient between the defoliation rate and cytoplasmic membrane permeability, peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity, and contents of chlorophyll, malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble sugar and protein in leaves are all higher than 0.7. The best postharvest system technology for exported potted ficus was described: using suitable potting medium of 79% coconut chaff + 20% perlite + 1% water retention agent, irrigating root system with liquid high-K fertilizer diluted to 100 times, spraying the foliage with 800 μg/L 0.004% brassinolides, and storing and transporting at 10°C. These conditions remarkably decreased defoliation rate during 36 days of simulated storage and transportation. Defoliation resistance was related to decreased membrane permeability and MDA content, increased chlorophyll, sugar and protein contents, and improved phenolic acid metabolism through increased POD and CAT activities.