RESPONSES OF MOKARA ‘NORA PINK’ INFLORESCENCES TO BIOCIDE IN VASE SOLUTION

The major problem of cut orchid inflorescence is floret wilting or dropping.
Therefore, the objective of this research was to study the effects of sugar and biocide on postharvest quality of Mokara ‘Nora Pink’ inflorescence.
Inflorescences were harvested in June 2009 at the commercial maturity stage with 6-7 open flowers and 4-5 bud flowers, then stem of individual inflorescences were re-cut and put in 15 ml centrifuge tube containing distilled water (control), 20 mg.L^-1 DICA+ 2% sucrose, 40 mg.L^-1 DICA+ 2% sucrose, 20 mg.L^-1 DICA and 40 mg.L^-1 DICA. All inflorescences were placed at 25°C, 60% RH under fluorescence light.
The data were recorded at daily interval.
The relative fresh weight was declined throughout the experiment.
Inflorescences kept in 40 mg.L^-1 of DICA had the highest fresh weight and water uptake.
There were no differences in bud opening and flower drop among the treatments.
DICA at 40 mg.L^-1 significantly reduced total microorganisms in vase solution and increased vase life about 5 days compared to that of control.

Southeast Asia Symposium on Quality and Safety of Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce

N. Sattayawong, A. Uthairatanakij, P. Jitareerat, K. Obsuwan

DICA, display life, sucrose, total plate count

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.875.69