Ethylene and the postharvest performance of miniature roses

authored by

M. Serek, E. C. Sisler, M. S. Reid

Abstract

The post-production life of miniature rose plants is terminated by senescence of flowers, yellowing and loss of buds, and senescence and abscission of leaves. The presence of ethylene in the postharvest environment accelerates these symptoms. Treatment with silver thiosulfate (STS) prevents the effects of exogenous ethylene, but has less benefit for plants held in ethylene-free air. We examined the involvement of endogenous ethylene in the postharvest deterioration of miniature roses by comparing the behaviour, in air, of plants pre-treated with STS or with 1-methylcyclopropene, a gaseous inhibitor of ethylene action that has very low phytotoxity. The inhibitors retarded bud and leaf abscission, but had no effect on leaf yellowing, and we conclude that ethelene is not the primary agent of leaf yellowing in miniature roses.

External Organisation(s)

University of Copenhagen
North Carolina State University
University of California at Davis

Type

Contribution to book/anthology

Pages

145-149

No. of pages

5

Publication date

01.07.1996

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Horticulture

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.1996.424.25 (Access: Closed)