ISHS Acta Horticulturae 464: International Postharvest Science Conference Postharvest 96
POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF CUT ACACIA BRANCHES |
| Authors: | R. Jones, F. Horlock, J. Faragher |
| Abstract:
An effective postharvest protocol for Acacia branches cut in bud has been developed. Branches of A. retinodes were cut at the yellow bud stage. Yellow buds were opened with a 16 h pulse at 10, 20 or 30°C with solution containing 0.01% Agral, aluminium sulphate and 1–2% sucrose. The addition of Agral to bud opening solutions at 10 or 20°C significantly enhanced the number of buds that opened as well as improving flower vase life. Agral and aluminium sulphate pulsing at 10 or 20°C was significantly more effective at opening buds than pulsing with sucrose solutions at 30°C, currently in use commercially. Branches transported at 20°C for 2.5 days with stems immersed in 5% sucrose + 50 mg/L chlorine lasted longer than those transported dry in plastic sleeves in fibreboard boxes, but dry transported branches effectively rehydrated after 2.5 days of simulated transport at 20°C. Those branches transported dry required a 16 h post-transport pulse containing sucrose, or a vase solution containing 1% sucrose to maximise vase life, while branches transported in sucrose solution did not require a further supply of sucrose. Pulsing with 0.01% Agral is vital to ensure Acacia flowers withstand transport, whether shipped in solution, or tightly packed in plastic sleeves in flower boxes. | |
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