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Open carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flowers survived storage at ?3°C for 20 days if previously pulsed with 6% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 20% sucrose. However, vase life after removal was only 1 day. With 15 days storage, such flowers were acceptable for 7.5 days. With DMSO alone, the possible freezing time was shorter than with sucrose alone. A 5% solution of DMSO increased longevity compared to the water control when flowers were not stored.     

Changes in parameters of cell senescence in carnation flowers after cold storage

The effects of cold storage on vase life, ethylene (C₂H₄) production, and parameters of cell senescence, were measured in flowers of spray carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.), cultivar ‘Pink Royalette’. Storage for 6 or 12 days at 2°C led to a reduction in the subsequent vase life at 20°C. In addition, storage caused a reduction in the time between the rise in ethylene production and the end of vase life. That is, cold storage increased the sensitivity of the petal cells to endogenous C₂H₄.Normal aging of flowers for 6 days at 20°C led to decreased capacity of petals to take up [¹⁴C] sucrose, decreased activity of membrane ATPase, increased membrane microviscosity and decreased membrane phospholipid content, relative to the levels in fresh flowers. However, cold storage of flowers for 6 days at 2°C caused opposite changes in the levels of these senescence parameters (measured at constant temperature). It was concluded that cold storage does not simply lead to a slow rate of senescence, but has other effects on cell properties.     

Long-term storage of carnations cut at the green-bud stage

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cultivar ‘Scania 3C’ flowers were cut, either as tight buds or when coloured petals had begun to be visible as a “red cross”, and treated with various chemical solutions prior to storage for 14, 16, 20 or 24 weeks at 0–1°C.Pre-conditioning in a solution containing silver thiosulphate (STS) 550 mg/l and sucrose (S) 100 g/l improved the quality of flowers opened after 14 weeks of storage; flower diameters and vase-life were similar to those of fresh, non-stored flowers. Carnation buds were also successfully stored for up to 16 weeks when pre-conditioned with STS and sucrose, but the vase-life of opened flowers was shorter than that of freshly cut buds. The use of this preservative in conditioning, combined with dip treatment in a 0.1% solution of the potent fungicides Rovral or Sumilex before storage, improved the quality of flowers after 16–24 weeks of storage and allowed a vase-life of 7–8 days, respectively. Storage of carnation buds for 20 weeks at low pressure conditions (LPS) considerably improved the quality of flowers compared with 20 weeks of a standard air-storage technique. Carnation buds stored under LPS conditions all developed into fully opened flowers, irrespective of pre-conditioning, although acceptable quality and vase-life were only achieved by those which were pre-conditioned with STS+S prior to storage.     

Effect of precooling at 5 or −1°C on shoot growth,flowering and carbohydrate metabolism in tulip bulbs

Precooling of dry tulip bulbs at ?1°C may be advantageous, compared with precooling at 5°C. Increasing the duration of precooling enhanced the growth of the shoots after planting, improved flower quality, and reduced the number of days to flower. The positive benefit of a stepwise precooling (5°C for 3 weeks, then ?1°C) was evident.Shoot elongation was promoted, and number of days to flower was reduced when the bulbs were precooled at ?1°C for less than 12 weeks. Extension of precooling beyond 12 weeks, however, was more effective with 5°C precooling. With few exceptions, sufficient precooling at either 5 or ?1°C gave a high percentage of flowering plants with first-quality flowers. Short durations (6–8 weeks) of precooling sometimes promoted flower blasting.Precooling at 5 or ?1°C had a similar effect upon the carbohydrate interconversion in scales and shoots of the bulbs, which as a rule is more pronounced at the lower temperature. The shoots accumulated sucrose, and to some extent fructosyl sucroses, during the 15 weeks precooling. Starch was also accumulated, the highest concentration being obtained at 5°C. The amount of starch was reduced in the scales during precooling, while the concentration of sucrose and fructosyl sucroses increased to a maximum value and then slowly diminished after about 9 weeks of precooling. The monosaccharides, glucose and fructose showed very small variations.     

Extension of shelf life of tuberose flowers using a combination of gamma irradiation and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) preservatives and assessment of antimicrobial potency of senesced flowers

Tuberose cut flowers, available as loose flowers, were treated with gamma (γ) irradiation and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) preservative solutions for extension of shelf life. The flowers were packaged in low-density polyethylene bags, heat sealed and stored at 23 ± 2°C, 80% relative humidity (RH) and 4 ± 1°C, 40% RH, respectively. The flowers stored at these two temperature regimes were subjected to sensory evaluation and biochemical analyses. From these assessments, the longest shelf life of tuberose flowers was found to be 8 days at 23 ± 2°C, 80% RH (compared to 4 days for control) and 24 days at 4 ± 1°C, 40% RH (compared to 8 days for control) using combination treatment of low dose γ-irradiation (0.02 kGy) and preservative solutions (4% sucrose and 0.02% CaCl₂). Ethanolic extract of tuberose flowers of the most shelf stable set (stored at 4 ± 1°C), i.e. at the end of 24 days, showed antimicrobial potency against the common skin pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923 and MDR strains), suggesting utility of the senesced tuberose flowers for therapeutic applications. This preservation technique would promote export of tuberose flowers by extension of their shelf lives and allow utilization of these flowers, post senescence.     

Effects of air and soil temperatures on flower development and morphology of satsuma mandarin

Three experiments were conducted in growth chambers to observe effects of air and soil temperatures in early and mid-winter on flower development and morphology of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc. cv. Okitsu Wase) budded on trifoliate orange. Four year old trees were used in Experiments I and III, and one year old ones in Experiment II. In Experiments I and II, air and soil temperature treatments of 15/15, 15/30, 30/15 and 30/ 30°C were started on 16 December, 1988. The trees sprouted flowers within seven days at 30/30°C, 11 days at 30/15°C, 21 days at 15/30°C, and 33 days at 15/15°C, respectively. There were few flowers at 30/30°C, extremely few at 30/15°C and many at both 15/15°C and 15/30°C. The days required to flowering and the flowering period were longer at the low air temperature. The number of flowers per tree, the number of flowers per node and the sprouting rate were greater at the low air temperature. A combination temperature of 30/15°C greatly decreased sprouting rate, the number of flowers per node and the number of flowers per tree. It seems likely that the chilling requirement might not be satisfied by mid-December. The trees might continue to accumulate chilling temperature at 15°C in the growth chamber. The trees at the high air temperature developed smaller flowers and ovaries. At an air temperature of 15°C, higher soil temperature resulted in bigger flowers and ovaries. In Experiment III, temperature treatments of 25/15,25/25 and 25/30°C were imposed on 6 January, 1989. The trees at 25/15°C required longer days to sprout and to blossom than at 25/25 and 25/30°C. The last two treatments did not differ in their effects. Soil temperature treatments did not result in significant effects on flower morphology, when they were applied after the chilling requirement was satisfied.     

Effects of exposure of bulbs to smoke and ethylene on flowering of Narcissus tazetta cultivar ‘Grand Soleil d'Or’

Bulbs of ‘Soleil d'Or’, exposed to smoke generated from smouldering wood and fresh leaves for several hours on each of 4 consecutive days during storage, produced flowers earlier and at a higher rate, even when using bulbs which were too small to flower using normal methods. The smoked bulbs showed an earlier start of floral initiation and faster development. A temperature of 25°C was optimal for storage. Application of ethylene also gave similar promotive effects when repeated 4 times at 10 μl 1^?1 for 1–5 h per day. Longer exposure to ethylene or smoke was less effective or had no promotive effect.     

The Response of Carnations (Dianthus Caryophyllus) to Ethylene

Carnation flowers were treated with ethylene and then transferred to ethylene-free air at 65° F. (18·3° C.) and the effect on senescence observed. Short exposures (0.2 p.p.m. for 6 hrs.) gave no visible response; the same concentration for 48 hrs. in the absence of CO₂ caused irreversible wilting. The response of flowers to intermediate concentrations is described.

Accumulation of carbon dioxide during the ethylene treatment delayed ethylene-induced senescence. Carbon dioxide (2–3%) or ethylene oxide (0·1–0·2%) was sufficient to prevent damage by 0·2 p.p.m. ethylene and also suppressed the surge of endogenous ethylene which accompanies wilting of petals by exogenous ethylene. Respiration was increased 25–40% by toxic doses of ethylene. The surge in endogenous ethylene which occurs at senescence may be suppressed by accumulation of carbon dioxide or depletion of oxygen, the threshold concentration being about 4% for each gas. An increase in the rate of leakage of solutes occurred at senescence and when petal tissue broke down.

The results of these investigations are discussed in relation to the problem of storage of flowers.     

Floral induction in tropical fruit trees: Effects of temperature and water supply

Summary

Floral induction in tropical trees generally follows a check in vegetative growth. However, it is not easy to identify the environmental factors involved in flowering, which normally occurs during the dry season when temperatures are also often lower. The separate and combined effects of temperature and water supply on floral induction were investigated in ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana), ‘Lisbon’ lemon (Citrus limon). ‘Wai Chee’ litchi (Litchi chinensis) and ‘Sensation’ mango (Mangifera indica). Low temperatures (15°/10°C or 15°/10°C and 20°/15°C compared with 30°/25°C and 25°/20°C) generally decreased vegetative growth and induced flowering in well-watered avocado, litchi and mango. A pre-dawn leaf water potential (ψ_L) of ?1.7 to ?3.5 MPa compared with ?0.4 to ?0.7 MPa in control avocado and litchi, and a pre-dawn relative water content (R.W.C.) of 90-93% compared with 97% or above in control mango plants also reduced or eliminated vegetative growth, but did not induce flowering. Low temperatures (15°/10°C compared with 20°/5°C, 25°/20°C or 30°/25°C) and water stress (pre-dawn ψ_L of ?2.0 to ?3.5 MPa compared with ?0.7 to ?0.8 MPa in controls) reduced or eliminated vegetative growth in lemon. In contrast to the response in avocado, litchi and mango, flowering in lemon was very weak in the absence of water stress at 15°/10°C or outdoors in Brisbane in subtropical Australia (Lat. 28°S), and was greatest after a period of water stress. The number of flowers increased with the severity and duration of water stress (two, four or eight weeks) and was generally greater after constant rather than with cyclic water stress. In lemon and litchi, net photosynthesis declined with increasing water stress reaching zero with a midday ψ_L of ?3.5 to ?4.0 MPa. This decline in carbon assimilation appeared to be almost entirely due to stomatal closure. Despite the reduction in midday CO₂ assimilation, starch concentration increased during water stress, especially in the branches, trunk and roots of lemon. Leaf starch was uniformly low. The number of flowers per tree in lemon was strongly correlated with starch in the branches (r²=77%, P<0.01) and roots (r²=74%, P<0.001). In litchi, starch was lower than in lemon roots and was not related to flowering.

In separate experiments to test the interaction between temperature and water supply, low day/night temperatures (23°/18° and 18°/15°C compared with 29°/25°C) reduced vegetative growth and induced flowering in avocado, litchi and mango. None of these species flowered at 29°/25°C or as a result of water stress (ψ_L of ?1.5 MPa compared with ?0.3 MPa for avocado and ?2.0 MPa compared with ?0.5 MPa for litchi, and R.W.C, of 90-93% compared with 95-96% in mango). In contrast, in lemon, flowering was very weak (<10 flowers per tree) in the absence of water stress (pre-dawn ψ_L of ?2.0 MPa compared with ?0.5 MPa) and was only heavy (>35 flowers per tree) after stressed trees were rewatered. There were slightly more flowers at 18°/15°C than at 23°/18° and 29°/25°C in control plants, but no effect of temperature in stressed plants. Starch concentration in the roots of avocado, lemon, litchi and mango was generally higher at 18°/15°C and 23°/18°C than at 29°/25°C. Water stress increased the starch concentration in the roots of lemon and litchi and decreased it in avocado. There was no effect in mango. There was a weak relation (r²=57%, P<0.05) between the number of flowers per tree in lemon and the concentration of starch in the roots. In contrast, there was no significant relationship between flowering and starch levels under the various temperature and water regimes in the other species. In another experiment, only vegetative growth in litchi and mango occurred at 30°/25°C and only flowering at 15°/10°C. Six weeks of water stress (pre-dawn ψ_L of ?2.5 MPa compared with ?1.0 MPa or higher in litchi, and R.W.C, of 90-93% compared with 95% or higher in mango) in a heated glasshouse (30°C days/20°C night minimum) before these temperature treatments did not induce flowering.

Temperatures below 25°C for avocado and below 20°C for litchi and mango are essential for flowering and cannot be replaced by water stress. The control of flowering in lemon over the range of day temperatures from 18°C to 30°C differed from that of the other species in being mainly determined by water stress. Flowering was generally weak in well-watered plants even with days at 18°C. Starch did not appear to control flowering.     

Factors affecting the response of tulips to gibberellin

Gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment of forced tulip crops has potential for producing faster growth to anthesis in the glasshouse, for reducing losses due to floral bud blasting, and for reducing the duration of cold storage needed to obtain satisfactory flowers. Using partly and fully cooled direct-forced tulips, cultivar ‘Apeldoorn’, several factors (relevant to the definition of GA₃ treatments) were studied. Experiments confirmed the previously recorded effects of gibberellins in tulips: GA₃ injections reduced the duration of the glasshouse period, enhanced flower survival and flower length, and reduced stem length at flowering.Following bulb storage at temperatures from ?2 to 20°C, GA₃ reduced the glasshouse period by 15–25% and increased flower length, compared to controls, irrespective of storage temperature. Stem length was also reduced by GA₃, this effect being greater following a storage temperature of 5°C or lower. When GA₃ was applied during the period of 17°C-storage which precedes cool storage, or during or after storage at 5°C, it was found that treatments during or at the end of cool storage were more effective in producing the characteristic effects of GA₃ than were pre-cooling applications. In partly cooled bulbs (but not fully cooled ones), the GA₃-induced earliness of flowering was about doubled when GA₃ injections were given repeatedly at 2-week intervals throughout storage. The responses to GA₃ injections were found to be unmodified by early-lifting and heat-treatment (for earlier forcing), by delaying the start of 5°C storage (for later forcing), by glasshouse temperature (16 and 18°C), and by shading treatments; there was little effect of bulb size.     

Warm Storage of Narcissus Bulbs in Relation to Growth,Flowering and Damage Caused by Hot-Water Treatment

Three experiments are described on the effects on flowering of warm storage of narcissus bulbs before (and in some cases after) hot-water treatment (h.w.t.) against eelworm infection. Almost complete loss of the flower crop occurs if the bulbs are not warm stored, compared with the production of about 90% marketable flowers following warm storage. Optimum temperatures and durations of warm storage are not clearly defined; there is very little difference between the two recommended treatments, 34° C. for 3 days and 30° C. for 7 days, with the latter giving slightly better results. In another experiment, best results were obtained following 32·5° C. for 8 days or 35° C. for 5 days, with some varietal differences. These combinations were superior to most at 30° C., and to all of only 2 days duration. Higher temperatures and longer durations generally result in earlier flowering, with no adverse effect on flower quality. Bulb yield in the field following h.w.t. is higher when the bulbs are warm-stored before h.w.t. and, when forced in the following season, they give more flowers. Post-h.w.t. warm storage reduces flower quality and bulb yield in the field; although some minor benefits were observed, this treatment cannot be recommended. The possible mechanism for the protection afforded by warm storage is discussed.     

不同贮藏时间及花瓣张开角度对番茄花粉活力的影响

为了研究不同贮藏时间及花瓣张开角度对花粉活力的影响,采用I2-KI染色法和蔗糖培养基培养法对花瓣张开角度为A(0°~45°)、B(45°~90°)和C(90°~180°)的番茄花粉活力及花粉管长度进行测定。试验结果表明,不同贮藏时间及花瓣张开不同角度间的花粉活力存在显著差异。花瓣张开角度A的花粉活力随着贮藏时间增加呈先升高后降低的趋势,以室温贮藏3 d的花粉染色率最高。花瓣张开角度B和C则以采摘当天活力最强,5 d后所有花粉活力均低于5%,基本丧失萌发能力。新采摘的有活力花粉散落于蔗糖15 g/L+H3BO30.03 g/L+CaCl20.02 g/L+琼脂6 g/L的培养基表面,1~2 min即开始萌动,20 min时,花粉管长度已达到花粉粒直径的2.75倍,60 min时达到7.5倍。花粉管在培养基上相互接触会出现相互作用,抑制部分花粉管生长。     

Effect of low-pressure storage on the quality of green capsicums (Capsicum annum L.)

Green capsicums (Capsicum annum L.) were stored under low pressure (4 kPa) at 10°C for 5 and 11 days with 100% RH. The results showed that the incidence of stem decay under low-pressure storage for 5 and 11 days and storage at ambient atmosphere at 20°C for 3 days was lower compared to fruits that were stored at regular atmosphere at 10°C. Fruit that had been stored at low pressure at 10°C had no symptoms of flesh rots for up to 11 days, whilst fruit which had been stored at regular atmosphere at 10°C had 6% flesh rots after 11 days storage at 10°C.There was no difference in flesh firmness and colour retention between fruits stored at low pressure and regular pressure at 10°C. Capsicums stored at low pressure had higher overall acceptability compared to fruit that were stored at regular atmosphere at 10°C. These results demonstrate the potential of low pressure storage as an effective technique to manage capsicum fruit quality, however, there was no additional benefit when fruits were stored at low pressure for more than 5 days.     

Promotion of floral initiation in ‘Fuerte’ avocado by low temperature and short daylength

Potted avocado (Persea americana Mill., cv. ‘Fuerte’) plants were maintained in growth cabinets for up to 32 weeks and new growth observed for flower formation. Flowers were formed if temperatures were 20°C or below, but with 25° or 30°, even if only for 1 hour per day, flower formation was inhibited. Time to flowering was accelerated, but number of flowers reduced, if daylength was shortened from 15 h to 9 h. With low temperature and short days, full bloom was about 4 months after starting experiments. Spring flowering of cv. ‘Fuerte’ in the field could follow flower induction about 4 months previously with the onset of winter temperatures and daylengths.     

间歇升温对冷藏桃果实游离脯氨酸含量和冷害的影响

观察分析了间歇升温对冷藏大久保桃果实游离脯氨酸含量、细胞膜透性及冷害的影响,结果表明:冷藏(2±1℃)30d及4d货架期(25—28℃)后,升温24h和36h的桃果实未发生冷害,脯氨酸含量在货架期下降;升温12h和对照的果实冷害严重,脯氨酸含量在货架期急剧上升,显著和极显著高于前两个处理,冷害越严重,值越大。细胞膜透性与冷害发生及严重程度无关,冷藏期间升温处理果实的膜透性大于对照,货架期结束时,各处理间无显著差异。     

Early forcing of narcissus: The effects of lifting date and stage of floral development at the start of cooling

Early Narcissus flowers may be obtained if bulbs are lifted early from the field, warm-stored (35°C) and then cool-stored (9°C) before forcing in a glasshouse. The earliest satisfactory forcing was investigated, in ‘Carlton’ and ‘Fortune’, by lifting weekly from 27 May to 22 June, and storing at 17°C for 0–7 weeks between warm- and cool-storage. Storage at 17°C is usually intercalated to allow the completion of flower differentiation prior to the start of cool storage.After warm-storage, the bulbs lifted on 27 May and 22 June had reached Stages Sp and A2 of flower differentiation, respectively; 5–7 weeks of 17°C-storage were then needed to reach complete flower differentiation (Stage Pc). Cool storage was therefore begun with bulbs ranging from Stage Sp to Stage Pc. The earliest cooled bulbs had progressed only to Stage A2, and all others to Stage Pc, after 14–16 weeks of cool storage. No floral defects (e.g., split paracorolla) were noted in any treatment, but in ‘Carlton’, about half the bulbs lifted on 27 May and stored for 0 or 1 week at 17°C did not yield a flower, due to failure of the scape to elongate and death of the flower bud within the spathe.Duration of the glasshouse period was reduced by later lifting and by longer 17°C-storage, but following lifting on 15 or 22 June and 2 or more weeks at 17°C, differences were trivial. For flowering within 30 days in the glasshouse, 5 or 6 weeks' 17°C-storage was needed with 27 May lifting, reducing to 1 week at 17°C after 22 June lifting. Flowering within 21 glasshouse days was achieved only after 15 or 22 June lifts followed by 4–5 weeks at 17°C. The earliest flowers in ‘Fortune’ (7 November) were produced following 3–5 weeks at 17°C after lifting on 27 May or 1 June, or following 1–2 weeks at 17°C after later lifting. In ‘Carlton’, the earliest flowers (23 November) followed 2–3 weeks at 17°C after lifting between 1 and 15 June, or 0–1 weeks at 17°C after the last lifting date (22 June). Following the use of 3 weeks' 17°C-storage, flowering date was about equal, irrespective of lifting date. However, further extension of 17°C-storage resulted in a delay in flowering date. Scape length increased irregularly with longer storage at 17°C; scapes were taller following later lifting (8–22 June) than following earlier lifting. Differences in flower diameter between treatments were relatively small.     

Factors Affecting the Control by Hot Water Treatment of Stem Nematode Ditylenchus Dipsaci (Kühn) Filipjev in Narcissus Bulbs

Hot water treatment (H.W.T.) of narcissus bulbs for three hours at temperatures from 111 °F (43.9 °C) to 114 °F (45.6 °C) failed to give a complete kill of stem nematode. Storage of bulbs at 86–94 °F (30.0–34.4 °C) for some days before H.W.T. resulted in less efficient killing of the pest, but in the following season the bulbs grew more vigorously and produced more flowers. Soaking bulbs for three hours at 65 °F (18.3 °C) before H.W.T. did not improve either the efficiency of nematode kill or the subsequent growth or flowering of heavily infested bulbs, but it improved nematode kill when bulbs were lightly infested. Water temperatures above 114 °F, up to and including 118 °F (47.8 °C), improved the kill of nematode but caused progressively increasing damage to the bulbs.     

A cryoprotectant effect of the dodecyl ether of polyethylene glycol (DEPEG) on flowering blackcurrant bushes

Treatment of 2-year-old blackcurrant bushes, at the early grape stage of flowering, with a 0.5% v/v spray of DEPEG prevented abscission of flowers following exposure to a simulated frost of ?2°C for 3 hours. Untreated bushes subjected to the same low-temperature treatment suffered a 25% reduction in fruit set.     

Effect of day and night temperatures during short photoperiods on growth and flowering of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat

The effect of day and night temperatures of 10, 14 and 18°C on growth and flowering under short days was studied with six cultivais of chrysanthemum. A high day temperature resulted in earlier flowering and taller stems, but did not influence flower number and final total fresh weight, and only slightly influenced the distribution of fresh matter over stem, leaves and flowers. A high night temperature resulted in earlier flowering, more flowers and reduced stem and leaf weight. It did not affect leaf number and it influenced height and total fresh weight only slightly. Except for height, the day temperature acted independently from the night temperature. The cultivars responded similarly, except for two cultivars which generally did not flower at 10/10,10/14 and 14/10°C D/N. One cul-tivar produced more flowers at 14 than at 18°C.     

Effect of chilling on runner formation and flower initiation in the everbearing strawberry

Fresh and cold-stored plants of the everbearers ‘Rabunda’ and ‘Ostara’ were placed for 90 days, from the end of August, in glasshouses of the IVT phytotron at 14, 20 and 26°C and a daylength of 16 hours.In the fresh plants hardly any runners were formed at 14 and 20°C, but flowers were initiated, while at 26°C both runners were formed and flowers initiated. In the cold-stored plants, runners were formed first and thereafter flowers were initiated at all temperatures.It was concluded that (1) chilling induces runner formation, but can be replaced by high temperature, and (2) chilling delays flower initiation.