Propagation success of cuttings as influenced by stage of propagation, 1-MCP and ethylene exposure and storage: part 2 Pelargonium

Propagation success of cuttings can be influenced by the stage of development at which they are shipped and stored, storage duration, and exposure to anti-ethylene agents and/or ethylene.
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of propagation stage and the anti-ethylene agent 1-MCP on sensitivity of Pelargonium × hortorum ‘Fidelity Coral and ‘Tango Dark Red’ to ethylene and simulated shipment.
Nine combinations of propagation stage (1, unrooted; 2, callused; or 3, rooted) and 1-MCP treatment (0 or 700 nL L^-1) followed by ethylene treatment (0 or 1 µL L^-1), and storage duration (0 or 2 days) were administered. Pelargonium cuttings stored for 2 days at Stage 1 reached Stage 3 in the least amount of propagation days, but had more leaf abscission than unstored Stage 1 cuttings. ‘Tango Dark Red’ cuttings stored at Stage 1 also had lower shoot and root fresh and dry weights than unstored Stage 1 cuttings.
Cuttings treated with 1 µL L^-1 ethylene and then stored for 2 days had the lowest root fresh and dry weights.
Cuttings of both cultivars stored at Stages 2 and 3 had more yellow/necrotic leaves than stored and unstored Stage 1 cuttings.
Most postharvest parameters were not significantly affected by 1-MCP for either cultivar.
For ‘Tango Dark Red’, cuttings treated with 1-MCP prior to ethylene had fewer abscised leaves and higher shoot and root dry weights.

VII International Conference on Managing Quality in Chains (MQUIC2017) and II International Symposium on Ornamentals in association with XIII International Protea Research Symposium

B.D. Crawford, J.M. Dole

anti-ethylene agent, simulated shipping, zonal geranium

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1201.76