ISHS Acta Horticulturae 298: Hortifroid, V International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants; Importance of Cold in Ornamental Horticulture
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF SURFACTANTS USED FOR REHYDRATION OF CUT ASTILBE, BOUVARDIA AND ROSES |
| Authors: | C. Pak, Wouter G. van Doorn |
| Abstract:
Previous research established that a 24 h pulse treatment with an aqueous solution containing 0.25 ml.1-1 nonylphenolpolyglycol ether (as formulated in the preparation Agral-LN from ICI) effectively enhanced the water uptake by cut rose flowers following dry storage. The use of this surfactant, however, has been questioned as it contains a benzene ring which results in limited biodegradability. We compared the effectiveness of a range of surfactants, with or without a benzene ring, on flower water uptake after 24h of dry storage at 20 °C, 60% RH and 12h photoperiod (15 μmol. m-2.sec-1) in Astible cv. Cattleya, Bouvardia cv. Artemis Jowhite and Rose cv. Sonia. We conclude that some surfactants without a benzene ring were as effective in improving water uptake and flower quality as surfactants with a benzene ring. The biodegradability of the surfactants without a ring was higher. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
