Delaying post harvest senescence of Matricaria parthenium L. flowers using ethanol, methanol and sucrose

Kaur, P. and Mukherjee, D. (2012) Delaying post harvest senescence of Matricaria parthenium L. flowers using ethanol, methanol and sucrose. Journal of Tropical Plant Physiology, 4. pp. 1-16.

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Abstract

Post harvest behavior and the effect of ethanol, methanol, and sucrose on the vase life of Matricaria parthenium cut flowers were studied. For this purpose, flower scapes were treated with different holding solutions. Scapes were immersed in the following preservative solutions: 4% sucrose, 2% ethanol, 2% ethanol + 4% sucrose, 2% methanol and 2% methanol + 4% sucrose. Data were recorded for moisture content, flower diameter and solution uptake at 2, 4 and 8-days after treatment. Among metabolites and enzymes changes in amount of total sugars, starch, specific activities of α-amylase and peroxidase, and lipid peroxidation were also determined and analyzed. Sucrose was found to be most effective in controlling senescence of cut flowers and this was further increased when 2% ethanol was added to the holding solution. Combined application of sucrose and 2% ethanol was able to reduce the increment in the amount of sugars, specific activities of peroxidase and α-amylase, malondialdehyde content and decline in starch. Thus the longevity was extended by 4 days more with this treatment.

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