Effect of sodium dichloroisocyanurate and citrate phosphate buffer in vase solution on microbial growth and quality of Mokara orchid flowers ‘Moo-daeng’

Effect of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DICA) and citrate phosphate buffer in vase solution on microbial growth and quality of Mokara orchid flowers (Arachins × Ascocentrum × Vanda) ‘Moo-daeng’ was investigated by holding flowers in citrate phosphate buffer (CPB) pH 5.4, citrate phosphate buffer pH 7.4, 50 ppm DICA + citric acid buffer pH 5.4 and 50 ppm DICA + citrate phosphate buffer (CPB) pH 7.4, respectively, in an observation room (21±2°C, 70-80% RH, cool-white fluorescence lights for 12 h d^-1) throughout experimental period.
The result showed that DICA + CPB was the most effective on inhibiting microbial growth in the vase solution.
This was related to the microbial content in the xylem in day 0 and 6 by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microbial growth was undetectable in treatments of DICA + CPB while holding flowers in the buffer only had a load of microbial content in the xylem in day 6 of the vase period.
Additionally, flowers hold in the buffer pH 7.4 produced the highest ethylene concentration and had the shortest vase life of 7.8 days, while the longevity of treatments of DICA + CPB pH 5.4 and 7.4 were 9.8 and 8.8 days, respectively.

III Asia Pacific Symposium on Postharvest Research, Education and Extension: APS2014

M. Buanong

citrate phosphate buffer, microbial content, Mokara orchid flowers, sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DICA)

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1213.95