Influence of ethylene on postharvest behavior of 'Luo Yang Hong' tree peony cut flower.

摘要

'Luo Yang Hong' tree peony is a suitable cultivar for exploitation as a cut flower and a former study has indicated that its flower opening and senescence process is associated with endogenous ethylene production. Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) 'Luo Yang Hong' cut branches with flowers at the bud stage were treated with exogenous ethylene and the ethylene action inhibitor, silver thiosulphate (STS) respectively, to examine the influence of ethylene on their postharvest behavior. In contrast with control flowers, the opening process of both types of treated flowers were significantly accelerated, however their vase life was not affected. Control cut flowers produced ethylene in a climacteric-like pattern. Ethylene and STS treatment restrained the peak value of ethylene production, however, no apparent difference of the trend of ethylene production between the treated and control flowers was shown. These results suggest that the responses of postharvest behaviour of tree peony cut flowers to ethylene do not show the representative characteristics of climacteric flowers, and are worthy for further study.