ISHS Acta Horticulturae 408: International Seminar on Soilless Culture Technology Protected Crops Mild Winter Climates
INFLUENCE OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY, RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND SEASONAL VARIATIONS ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF CUT ROSES PRODUCED IN SOILLESS CULTURE |
| Authors: | I. Urban, R. Brun, L. Urban |
| Keywords: | postharvest, water balance |
| Abstract:
Cultural factors of plant production should not affect in a negative way post-production quality. With this aim in view, we observed the behaviour of cut 'Sonia' roses placed in a climatic room (20°C, 60% RH, 1200 lux 12h/24). Flowers were collected throughout the entire production season from plants grown in rockwool slabs at two levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution (1.8 and 3.8 mS/cm) in two greenhouses: one control and one with high pressure mist (relative humitity > 70%). The post-harvest criteria considered were the following: the intensity and evolution of the opening of the flowers with reference to different phenological stages, water uptake and transpiration, and the evolution of the weight of the flowers during their vase-life. Relative humidity levels and electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution did not affect the opening of the cut flowers and their vase-life. These results indicate that cultural factors have less importance than post-havest factors on the behaviour of cut roses. However, it should be noticed that there was a strong seasonal influence on transpiration and water uptake. There was an increase in transpiration and water uptake from summer to autumn followed by a decrease until spring. These observations are related to measurement of stomata closure threshold performed during the growing period. | |
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