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Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life

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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 37102

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Dr. Jin Hee Lim

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Department of Bioindustry and Bioresource Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
Interests: functional substances analysis of major cut flowers; asters; chrysanthemum; roses
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Dear Colleagues,

Currently, the cut flower market appears to be generating a large amount of export revenue in the world flower market trade. Interestingly, large cut flower exports have seen impressive increases in their goods and qualified production in numerous countries. However, each of the flower species has a varied vase life and is subject to different export environmental controls under postharvest conditions. The effective factors have been classified into two categories: the internal (the facial product characteristics and the typical company features) and the external factors (flower condition and export environment, market chances, and flower industry). Thus, methods for prolonging flower vase life need to be studied, and the tools for postharvest treatment in the floral industry need to be optimized. Recent developmental methods in nanotechnology, thermal image analysis, UV-light application, and other technologies are realizing promising methods that could be applied for prolonging flower vase life. The purpose of this Special Issue is to present new factors, important techniques, and potential technologies for improving the postharvest quality of flowers, and new ideas or recommendations for handling postharvest mechanization in the flower industry.

Dr. Jin Hee Lim
Guest Editor

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Keywords

cut flowers
flower industry
flower export
postharvest quality
postharvest technique
preservative solution
vase life

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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12 pages, 1802 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Extension of Vase Life in Cut Gerbera Flowers through Pretreatment with Gibberellin A₃ in Combination with Calcium Chloride

by Makoto Tonooka, Yoshiyuki Homma, Hideki Nukui and Kazuo Ichimura

Horticulturae 2023, 9(10), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9101106 - 5 Oct 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1930

Abstract

The effect of pretreatment with gibberellin A₃ (GA₃) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) on the vase life of cut gerbera ‘Minou’ was investigated. Cut gerbera flowers were treated with GA₃ and/or CaCl₂ for 24 h and then transferred to an antimicrobial solution. Pretreatment with GA₃ at 0, 29, 72, 144, and 289 µM delayed the opening of the tubular florets and promoted stem bending due to elongation of the flower stems, which shortened vase life. When cut gerbera was pretreated with 144 µM GA₃ in combination with CaCl₂ at 90, 180, 270, and 360 mM, stem elongation was suppressed with the increasing concentration of CaCl₂. Next, the effect of pretreatment with 144 µM GA₃, 270 mM CaCl_2, and their combination on the vase life of the cut gerbera was investigated. Combined treatment with GA₃ and CaCl₂ significantly extended vase life more than GA₃ alone and CaCl₂ alone. The vase life of the cut gerbera ‘Banana’, ‘Kimsey’, ‘Pinta’, ‘Tim’, and ‘Vivid’ was significantly extended by pretreatment with 144 µM GA₃ and 270 mM CaCl₂. It was concluded that combined treatment with GA₃ and CaCl₂ was effective in extending the vase life of the cut gerbera. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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14 pages, 2255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vase Life Evaluation of Three Greek Tulip Species Compared with a Commercial Cultivar

by Christos Lykas, Maria Zografou, Ioulietta Samartza, Michalia A. Sakellariou, Stylianos Papakonstantinou, Eleftherios Valanas, Ioannis Plastiras, Eleftherios Karapatzak, Nikos Krigas and Georgios Tsoktouridis

Horticulturae 2023, 9(8), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080928 - 16 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2371

Abstract

Aiming at evaluating new candidate species for the cut flower market of Greece and beyond, in this study, the vase life of three Greek tulip plant species, Tulipa cretica ‘Hilde’ (CRH, local endemic of Crete, Greece), T. clusiana ‘Chrysantha’ (CLC, naturalized in Chios Island, Greece), and T. australis (AUS, native in the Mediterranean and Greece), was investigated in comparison to the commercial tulip hybrid Île-de-France (IDF). To this end, pre-cooled at 4 °C bulbs of the abovementioned Greek tulip plant species were bought from Dutch nurseries and grown in pots placed in unheated greenhouses located at two different climatic conditions in Northern Greece. The plants were uprooted when the flowers reached a slightly open stage. Half of the flowering stems were immediately placed into bottles with deionized water, while the rest were placed in a preservative solution containing citric acid 5% and sulfuric acid 1% and then remained under laboratory conditions until the entire tepal wilted (end of vase life). The measurements performed concerned: (a) flower stem length and flower maximum diameter, (b) fresh weight (FW) of initial stems, leaves, flowers, and bulbs and at the end of vase life, (c) flower color parameters (L, a, b, c, and H) in all treated flowers, (d) leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD values), and (e) initial and final water volume after removing the flowering stems. The aforementioned measurements showed that CRH cut flowers may exhibit consistent floral opening patterns and were associated with a long mean vase life of 5.7 days, which can be further prolonged to 6.5 days by carefully selecting a cultivation location with proper climatic conditions. The vase life of CLC cut flowers was significantly affected by the climatic parameters (temperature) of the area where the plants were cultivated. The immersion of cut flowering stems in a preservative solution with citric and sulfuric acids did not yield a notable increase in the longevity of cut flowers during the postharvest period. Moreover, this treatment did not have any significant impact on leaf chlorophyll content or flower color at the end of the flowers’ vase life. The data of this work show that cut flowers from the native species T. cretica and T. clusiana have satisfactory vase life, especially when plants were grown in favorable climate condition; the latter is an important criterion for their entry into the cut flower market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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10 pages, 3250 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influence of Suboptimal Temperature on Flower Quality and Floral Organ Development in Spray-Type Cut Rose ‘Pink Shine’

by Yeong Chan Shin, Je Yeon Yeon and Wan Soon Kim

Horticulturae 2023, 9(8), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080861 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1659

Abstract

Low temperatures commonly delay flowering in cut roses but enhance final flower quality, i.e., biomass, petal doubling, and flower size. However, this information remains unclear for spray-type cut roses. This study was conducted to understand the effect of suboptimal temperatures on flower quality in the spray-type cut rose ‘Pink Shine.’ The 6-month-old rooted cuttings were cultivated in environmentally controlled growth chambers at four temperature levels: 25/20 °C (optimal temperature, OT) and 20/20 °C, 20/15 °C, and 15/15 °C (suboptimal temperatures, SOTs). As expected, SOTs significantly delayed the flowering time (11.2–25 days) but enhanced flower quality, with 51% and 160% increases in flower size and biomass, respectively. SOTs did not statistically amplify petal numbers, as expected, compared with OT. Instead, SOTs significantly increased stamen and carpel numbers by 1.3 and 2 times, respectively, resulting in a 1.4-fold increase in total floral organ formation. Moreover, SOTs increased the mRNA levels of A-function genes (RhAP1** and RhFUL**) and C-function genes (RhSHP*) but suppressed the B-function gene (RhPI*), which is linked to the development of plant reproductive structures (stamen and carpel) in spray-type cut roses. Conclusively, the growth temperature was more effective for quantity accumulation than for the number of petals but was similar in carpels. These results suggest that SOTs enhance carpel differentiation during flowering, implying that flowers may choose a reproductive strategy through carpels over petals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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15 pages, 5138 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Characterization of Petal Senescent Types in Cut Dahlia and Extension of Their Vase Life by Treatment with Silver Thiosulfate Complex Followed by Glucose Plus Germicides

by Kazuo Ichimura and Mirai Azuma

Horticulturae 2022, 8(10), 922; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8100922 - 7 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2621

Abstract

The vase life of cut dahlia (Dahlia × hortensis Guillaumin) flowers is generally short. Petal senescence is known to be divided into petal wilting, withering, and abscission. Petals with ongoing wilting were isolated from the inflorescence and supplied with water using 10 cultivars to clarify the type of petal senescence of dahlia. Based on the recovery of fresh weight and appearance of petals, senescent types could be categorized into three types: petal senescence in two, six, and two cultivars were categorized into abscission, abscission with withering, and wilting types, respectively. The pulse treatment with silver thiosulfate complex (STS) significantly extended the vase life of 7 out of 10 cultivars. Moreover, pulse treatment with STS followed by continuous treatment with GLA, which was comprised of glucose, isothiazolinone germicide, and aluminum sulfate, increased the relative fresh weight of the five dahlia cultivars more than pulse treatment with STS. Therefore, this combined treatment is available to extend the vase life of cut dahlia, irrespective of the senescent types. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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8 pages, 838 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preharvest Spraying of CaCl₂ Alleviates the Scape Bending of Gerbera ‘Harmony’ Flowers by Strengthening the Pectin Crosslinks through Ca²⁺ Bonds

by Jiwon Park and Wan Soon Kim

Horticulturae 2022, 8(6), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060523 - 15 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2296

Abstract

Scape bending is the primary cause shortening the vase life of cut gerbera flowers (Gerbera jamesonii ‘Harmony’). A previous study showed that this bending is closely related to the scape hardness, which is attributed to cell wall rigidity maintained by calcium ion bonds. In this experiment, the developing gerbera scape was sprayed with 0.5 and 1% calcium chloride to determine whether exogenous calcium directly influences scape hardness and whether it is related to pectin crosslinks. The calcium spray hardened the scape by 12% and efficiently reduced bending, thereby prolonging the vase life of the cut gerbera flowers. A 9% increase in calcium ions (Ca²⁺) was detected in the CaCl₂-treated flowers compared to the control flowers. Additionally, the pectin content increased by up to 14% in the CaCl₂-treated flowers as compared to that in the control. Pectins are the main polysaccharides of cell walls that impact plant tissue integrity and rigidity, with calcium ions acting as bonds for pectin crosslinking. Calcium treatment efficiently increased the content of total pectin in the cell walls and slowed the conversion of insoluble pectin (IP) to water-soluble pectin (WSP) during vase life. The results suggest that exogenously applied calcium increases the Ca²⁺ in cellular tissue and affects the pectin levels, which may aid in increasing the scape hardness by strengthening the calcium–pectin combination in cell walls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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15 pages, 2362 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Combined Nano Silver, α-Aminoisobutyric Acid, and 1-Methylcyclopropene Treatment Delays the Senescence of Cut Roses with Different Ethylene Sensitivities

by Suong Tuyet Thi Ha and Byung-Chun In

Horticulturae 2022, 8(6), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060482 - 28 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2572

Abstract

Flower senescence varies among cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.), and it is known that the postharvest life of ethylene-sensitive flowers is strongly related to the transcriptional accumulation of ethylene biosynthesis genes, whereas that of ethylene-insensitive flowers is shortened by water stress. These different responses of flowers to hormone and water stresses limit the action of preservatives in inhibiting the postharvest deterioration of cut rose flowers. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the combined application of antibacterial agents and ethylene biosynthesis and binding inhibitors on the postharvest life and quality of the cut rose cultivars ‘Matador’ (ethylene-sensitive) and ‘Dolcetto’ (ethylene-insensitive). Cut flowers were treated with nano silver (NS), a combination of NS and α-aminoisobutyric acid (NS+A), or a combination of NS+A and 1-methylcyclopropene (NS+AM), and they were subsequently exposed to ethylene for 24 h. Treatment effectiveness was compared with that of control (CON) flowers, which were kept in distilled water and exposed only to ethylene. The results showed that all treatments significantly improved the postharvest quality and vase life of both rose cultivars. However, NS+AM most markedly delayed senescence and prolonged the vase life of cut flowers by 217% in ‘Matador’ and 168.4% in ‘Dolcetto’, compared with those of CON flowers. NS+AM also effectively increased the flower diameter and maintenance time of positive water balance and initial fresh weight by enhancing solution absorption as well as suppressing bacterial growth at the cut stem ends of the cut roses. Furthermore, NS+AM greatly suppressed the ethylene-inducible increase of ethylene biosynthesis genes and the reduction of ethylene receptor genes in petals, which resulted in a reduced flower response to exogenous ethylene in both rose cultivars. These findings show that NS+AM effectively delays flower senescence in both ethylene sensitive and insensitive cultivars by synergistically preventing ethylene response and water stress in cut flowers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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15 pages, 2127 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Irrigation Levels and Fertilization Rates as Pre-Harvest Factors Affecting the Growth and Quality of Hippeastrum

by Chaiartid Inkham, Kanokwan Panjama and Soraya Ruamrungsri

Horticulturae 2022, 8(4), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040345 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2808

Abstract

Growing Hippeastrum in an open field or a greenhouse requires precision irrigation and fertilizer to promote plant growth and development. Therefore, this research aimed to study the effect of irrigation level combined with fertilization rate on the growth and development of Hippeastrum. Two experiments were carried out to determine the influence of irrigation and fertilizer on the growth, flowering, and bulb quality of Hippeastrum. In the first experiment, bulbs of Hippeastrum ‘Red Lion’ with circumferences of 25 cm were grown in plastic plots using mixed soil as growing media under a 50% shading net. Plants were irrigated daily until drainage and water contained in macropores by gravity action (Field capacity: FC) for 90 days after planting (DAP) and supplied with three different 15N-15P₂O₅-15K₂O fertilization rates, i.e., 0, 2.5, and 5 g per pot. Plant growth and water use efficiency were measured at 45, 60, and 90 DAP. The results showed that plants supplied with 0 g of fertilizer had the lowest plant height and number of leaves per plant at 90 DAP, whereas there was no significant effect of fertilizer rate treatments on flower quality. The water use efficiency, evapotranspiration rate (ET), crop evapotranspiration under standard condition (ETc), crop coefficient (Kc), photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance were decreased when plants were supplied with fertilizer at a rate of 0 g per pot at 90 DAP. In the second experiment, plants were irrigated with four levels, i.e., 100, 75, 50, and 25% ETc combined with three fertilization rates, i.e., 0, 2.5, and 5 g per pot. At 180 DAP, the results showed that water deficit treatment (50 and 25% ETc) decreased plant growth and bulb quality. Irrigation with 100% ETc combined with 2.5 or 5 g per pot and irrigation with 75% ETc combined with 5 g per pot were the optimum levels to promote plant growth and bulb quality in Hippeastrum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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19 pages, 5754 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Monitoring the Green Vegetation Period of Two Narcissus Taxa by Non-Destructive Analysis of Selected Physiological and Morphological Properties

by Katalin Jezdinská Slezák, Aleš Jezdinský, Miroslav Vachůn, Oldřiška Sotolářová, Robert Pokluda and Jiří Uher

Horticulturae 2021, 7(12), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7120585 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2644

Abstract

In a pot experiment, an early-flowering Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. ‘Dutch Master’ (DM) and late-flowering N. poeticus cultural form (PO) were examined. The photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), photosynthetic water use efficiency (WUE), relative chlorophyll content (CCI) and chlorophyll fluorescence (F) were measured regularly. Leaf length, scape length and weight of the plant organs were also measured. The DM cultivar had higher gs and lower E values than the PO on most measuring dates (season average: gs: DM: 165.34, PO: 123.63; E: DM: 1.39, PO: 1.78 mmol H₂O m⁻²s⁻¹). The A curve was similar for the two taxa, except for the first measuring dates. The basic F values (F0, Fm, Fv) for DM were lower and CCI values were higher than for PO (season average of CCI: DM: 94.82, PO: 60.34). The Fm/F0, Fv/F0 and CCI curves were well described by a second order equation. The seasonal change of F and CCI values was the greatest for both taxa near the leaf tip. Bulb growth occurred in the two taxa in approximately the same calendar period, regardless of flowering time. A significant part of the leaf growth in DM occurred after flowering, while the leaves of PO reached their mature size by flowering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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10 pages, 1838 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of the Quality of Domestically Distributed Cut Phalaenopsis Flowers Based on the Season and Place of Origin

by Hyun Kyung Kim and Ae Kyung Lee

Horticulturae 2021, 7(10), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7100382 - 9 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2420

Abstract

This study compared and analyzed the qualities of cut Phalaenopsis “V3” flowers based on the place of origin and season. An investigation of the senescence type showed that flowers originating from Korea had a higher rate of aging than those from China across all three seasons. Consequently, the vase life was also 3–5 days longer for Chinese flowers than those for Korean flowers, regardless of the season. Furthermore, the vase life was the longest in autumn, followed by spring and summer, with statistically significant differences. With respect to flower diameter, Chinese cut phalaenopsis flowers were relatively larger than the Korean ones on day 1 of the experiment. As the senescence process of wilting was initiated earlier in Korean flowers with a shorter vase life, they showed higher reductions in flower diameters as well. The fresh weight, water uptake, and water balance were lower for Korean flowers than those for Chinese flowers starting on day 5 of the experiment across all three seasons. Korean cut phalaenopsis flowers experienced difficulties in maintaining water levels following their water uptake on day 1, which may have affected their vase life. Ethylene production showed a sharp increase on day 7 in Chinese cut flowers and day 5 in Korean cut flowers, with high amounts typically observed in spring, which coincided with the results of water loss. Hunter values L, a, and b and changes petal color ⊿E significantly differed not by place of origin but by season. Additionally, the sugar content of the solution inside the water tubes used when selling cut phalaenopsis flowers was investigated. Chinese flowers are subjected to pretreatment and posttreatment inside the water tube before being exported, while Korean flowers are treated with tap water. The Chinese flowers contained approximately seven times more sugar content compared to Korean flowers. This suggests that the treatment solution components, including sugar and other ingredients, of the Chinese cut flowers had a positive effect on water uptake and lowered the sensitivity to ethylene, which seemed to have an effect on the long vase life and quality. If Korean cut flowers are also distributed using a treatment agent, it is expected that the vase life will be improved and the satisfaction of consumers will be increased. However, since there are several possibilities that can affect post-harvest quality, it seems that additional experiments are needed. Moreover, as flower quality decreases in summer compared to those in spring or autumn, it will be necessary to reduce the differences in quality between seasons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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Review

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11 pages, 316 KiB

Open AccessReview

Do Eco-Friendly Floral Preservative Solutions Prolong Vase Life Better than Chemical Solutions?

by Toan Khac Nguyen and Jin Hee Lim

Horticulturae 2021, 7(10), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7100415 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 13536

Abstract

Cut flowers have become an export income in the global floriculture market. They have multiple uses, such as for home beautification, in ceremonies (including weddings and funerals), and as symbols of love, appreciation, respect, etc., in humane society. Each type of cut flower has a different vase life and the longevity of their freshness is linked to preharvest, harvest, and postharvest tools and conditions. The postharvest quality and vase life must be considered in order to obtain the desirable qualities of cut flowers, and factors that affect this are important in the floral industry. The use of floral preservative solutions is good practice for prolonging the vase life of cut flowers. Currently, the eco-friendly solutions, which are used as floral preservatives for extending cut flower vase life, have been discovered to be a low-cost and organic alternative as compared to chemical solutions. However, there are certain problems associated with the use of chemical and eco-friendly solutions. In this review, we summarize several potential approaches to improve flower vase life and discuss the best choices for holding-preservative-solution practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Affecting Export Flower Quality and Strategies for Prolonging Flowers Vase Life)

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