ISHS Acta Horticulturae 543: VII International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants
A SURVEY OF ETHYLENE CONTAMINATION IN ONTARIO=S FLORICULTURE INDUSTRY AND THE EVALUATION OF 1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE AND AN ETHYLENE ABSORBER AS POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS |
| Authors: | L.J. Skog, T. Blom, B. Schaefer, B. Digweed, H. Fraser, W. Brown |
| Keywords: | postharvest, storage, senescence, shelf-life, cut flowers, potted plants, bedding plants |
| Abstract:
Over 1700 air samples were taken from 20 locations throughout the floral distribution chain. Approximately 63% of the samples had detectable levels of ethylene (>0.01 μL / L). The highest levels (13.0 μL / L) were detected at wholesalers and distributors. Moderate levels (0.1-2.0 μL / L) were detected in greenhouse packing facilities. Levels were lowest (<0.2 μL / L) at florists. Twenty-one plant species were evaluated for response to the ethylene binding inhibitor EthylBloc7 (active ingredient:1-methylcyclopropene or 1-MCP) and the ethylene absorber ExtendaFresh®. With the exception of the poinsettia Freedom and Easter lily Nellie White, the quality of all plants treated with the 1-MCP (0.5 g / m3 EthylBloc® for 6 hrs at 20±1°C) prior to subsequent exposure to ethylene (2-10 μL / L depending upon species) was at least equal to the control without ethylene exposure. For nine of the species, the plants treated with 1-MCP in the absence of external ethylene were also superior to the controls without ethylene. When EthylBloc® was applied to selected species at temperatures <13°C, the minimum effective concentration and duration of MCP exposure varied with species. ExtendaFresh® at a low concentration (70 g / m3) was not as effective at preventing damage from external ethylene, but in most cases the plants recovered from the ethylene damage more quickly than the controls. At higher concentrations (90 or 120 g / m3), the ethylene absorber improved the condition of both pot roses and snapdragons stored in the presence of ethylene but results were not always equal to the plants without ethylene. | |
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