Postharvest Vase Life of Ornamental Eucalypt Flowers and Buds
K.L. Delaporte, A. Klieber, and M. Sedgley
Department of Horticulture, Viticulture and Oenology, Adelaide University Waite Campus, P.M.B. 1, Glen Osmond, South Australia, 5064, Australia T: +61-8-8303-7242; F: +61-8-8303-7116
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บทคัดย่อ
The effects of sucrose, citric acid and cold storage were assessed on the flowering stems of a number of eucalypt species. Continuous application of 0.5 to 5.0% sucrose in the vase solution reduced vase life of E. tetragona flowers, from >13 days for the RO water control to <10 days; vase life of E. youngiana was not affected by sucrose. Pulsing with 0.5 to 10% sucrose, in conjunction with cold dry storage at 3°C for one to two weeks, had no effect on vase life of E. tetragona flowers, which had a subsequent vase life of 11-12 days, regardless of cold storage period. Sucrose, at any concentration, pulsed or in holding solution, did not increase flower opening of E. tetragona or E. youngiana after harvest. Citric acid in vase and pulsing solutions did not affect vase life of either species. Preliminary trials with E. forrestiana and E. stoatei indicate that pulsing with sucrose concentrations at 2.0 to 5.0% may be beneficial to vase life. Significant differences in vase life were found between plants of E. tetragona and E. youngiana and between seasons for the same plant; the implications of this for future testing, selection, and breeding programs are discussed.