| heal.abstract |
Postharvest performance of Genista monosperma and Viburnum tinus was evaluated in the present study. The optimal harvest stage was determined for both species. Harvesting at 10-20% open flowers for G. monosperma and 30% open flowers for V. tinus (stage II) gave maximum vase life in contrast to inflorescence with all flowers at bud stage (stage I) or with >50% flowers open (stage III). Harvesting inflorescence at stage I or stage III resulted in either premature bud drop or in short vase life, respectively. In contrast, harvest stage II gave a continuous bud opening over time and vase life extension of 1.3 for G. monosperma and 1.8 days for V. tinus, respectively. The use of a standard antimicrobial compound (dichloro-isocyannuric acid, DICA) at 100 ppm did not affect vase life, flower fresh weight or water usage for both species except only in few cases. Fresh weight of non-treated stage II or III G. monosperma inflorescence increased gradually over to the 5 th day of the vase life period and remained higher throughout the vase life period. In contrast, fresh weight of treated with 100 ppm DICA inflorescence increased only over the first two days and then declined. Water usage of stage III G. monosperma inflorescence remained higher compared to inflorescence harvested at stages I or II for both species and irrespectively to DICA treatment. Fresh weight and water usage of stage II V. tinus inflorescence treated with 100 ppm DICA remained higher (P>0.05) in 5-7 and 3-7 days, respectively, compared to the untreated controls. |
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