Comparative Effect of Ethylene Antagonists : SilverThiosulphate (STS) and Amino-Oxy Acetic Acid (AOA) on Postharvest Performance of Cut Spikes of Consolida ajacis cv. Violet Blue.

摘要

Effect of different ethylene antagonists (STS and AOA) was examined on cut spikes of Consolida ajacis cv. Violet blue with the ultimate aim to improve the postharvest performance and to compare the efficacies of the chemicals. Vase life of spikes registered a marginal increase after pretreatment with STS for 1 h before transfer to holding solutions as compared to respective controls. AOA was found less effective in delaying senescence and improving postharvest performance as compared to STS. Pretreatment with ethylene antagonists were found to improve floral diameter, maintain fresh and dry mass of flowers and an increase in the tissue content of soluble proteins. A highly positive correlation was obtained between vase life and soluble protein content suggesting that high protein levels in sepal tissues is one of the important factors regulating the ethylene production and enhancing vase life of the cut spikes of C. ajacis. The present study recommends that pulsing the spikes of C. ajacis with 0.5mM STS for lh, followed by their transfer to holding solution containing 0.2M sucrose+100 mg/1 8-HQS, can be used as an effective postharvest treatment for this flower system.