International Journal of Horticulture 2015, Vol.5, No.6, 1
-
5
4
2.31
Bud opening of cut flowers
Opening of tight buds of cut flowers of Cymbidium
orchids was improved with all chemical treatments
except control. Minimum duration (18 days) for
opening of first floret was observed with Sugar 4% +
8-HQS (200 ppm). The treatment combination of
Sugar 4% + Salicylic acid 200 ppm had first floret
with maximum diameter (6.6cm) (Table 4). Per cent of
half opened buds was recorded maximum (30.7%)
with Sugar 4% + 8-HQS (200 ppm) whereas per cent
of fully opened buds was highest (75%) in Sugar 4%
+ Salicylic acid 200 ppm. In control, all flower buds
dropped on 27
th
days. Vase life of cut spikes was
found maximum (45days) with Sugar 4% + Salicylic
acid (200 ppm) followed by Sugar 4% + Al
2
(SO
4
)
3
(100
ppm) and Sugar 4% + 8-HQS (200 ppm) (44 days).
Bud opening, improved flower size and enhancement
of vase life of tight bud cut flowers of Cymbidium
orchids as treated with Sugar 4% + Salicylic acid (200
ppm) may be attributed to effect of salicylic acid as
anti-transpirant by induction of stomatal closure or by
blocking the conversion of a amino cyclopropane
-1-carboxylic acid to ethylene (Leslie and Romani,
1986). Earlier opening of first floret was observed
with Sugar 4% + 8-HQS (200 ppm) and it may be
associated with improvement of water balance and
antibacterial activity of 8-HQS (Ichimura et al
.
, 1999).
In addition, flower opening has been reported to be
dependent on carbohydrate levels in the petals (Van
Doorn et al
.
, 1991b).
Table 4 Effect of chemicals on bud opening in Cymbidium hyb. ‘Pine Clash Moon Venus’
Treatment
Days to first
floret opening
Diameter of first
floret (cm)
Per cent of half
opened buds
Per cent of Fully
opened buds
Vase life
(Days)
Distilled water
---
----
0
0
27
Sugar 4%
20
5.1
5.8
44
37.8
Sugar 4% + Al
2
(SO
4
)
3
(100 ppm)
21
5.4
0
57
44
Sugar 4% + 8-HQS (200 ppm)
18
5.5
30.7
53.8
44
Sugar 4% + Salicylic acid (200 ppm)
21
6.6
0
75
45
Sugar 4% + Ca (NO
3
)
2
(1%)
25
4.85
2
22.8
37.8
Sugar 4 % + Boric acid 200 ppm + K
2
SO
4
(2mM)
20.5
5.5
6.25
25
36.2
CD
5%
2.86
0.32
0.34
2.55
3.10
2.4 Carbohydrate content at senescence stage
Changes in carbohydrate content of cut flowers at
senescence stage had shown significant variations
starting from flower bud to flower opening stage.
Highest content of carbohydrate (140mg/g) was
estimated at bud stage in fresh condition followed by
at bud stage (131mg/g) at senescence in control.
Minimum carbohydrate content (60mg/g) was
observed with Sugar 4% + 8-HQS (200 ppm)
followed by Sugar 4% + Salicylic acid 200 ppm)
(64mg/g) (Table 5). Exogenous sugar replaces the
depleted endogenous carbohydrates utilized during the
post-harvest life of flowers. At senescence, minimum
carbohydrate content (60mg/g) was found with Sugar
4% + 8-HQS (200 ppm) followed by Sugar 4% +
Salicylic acid 200 ppm) (64mg/g) indicated that more
amount of carbohydrates have been utilized during
flower opening and increasing vase life.
Table 5 Changes in total carbohydrates as affected by effect of chemicals on bud opening of Cym. ‘PCMV’ harvested at bud stage
Treatment
Sample
Stage
Carbohydrate content (mg/g)
Bud
Fresh
140
Distilled water
Bud
Senescence
131
Sugar 4%
Flower
Senescence
96
Sugar 4% + Al
2
(SO
4
)
3
(100 ppm)
Flower
Senescence
64
Sugar 4% + 8-HQS (200 ppm)
Flower
Senescence
60
Sugar 4% + Salicylic acid 200 ppm)
Flower
Senescence
64
Sugar 4% + Ca (NO
3
)
2
(1%)
Flower
Senescence
70
Sugar 4 % + Boric acid 200 ppm + K
2
SO
4
(2mM)
Flower
Senescence
76
CD
5%
3.15
