Controlled atmosphere and refrigerated storage in cut roses ‘Avalanche'(1)

Abstract

In Brazil, there are few studies on cut flowers cold storage, and there is no research on the association of controlled atmosphere with flower cooling. Worldwide research in this sector is considered scarce; this requires the establishment of adequate postharvest technology, involving cold storage and controlled/modified atmosphere for cutting flowers. In Brazil, roses are the most widely cultivated cut flower and a single producer exports three pallets of this species by airfreight per week. The objectives of this work were to define the concentrations of O2 and CO2 in which cut roses ‘Avalanche' should be submitted, defining procedures for postharvest conservation and establishing technical guidelines for the exportation of cut roses under controlled atmosphere. The experiments were carried out at 1±1 °C with the help of a flowchart to dose the gases, and the concentration of O2, CO2 and ethylene were assessed. Phase 1 experiment had O2 concentration set at 21% associated with four different concentrations of CO2, 10, 20, 30 and 40%. Phase 2 experiment had O2 at 3% associated with four different concentrations of CO2, 3, 6, 10 and 15%. The controlled atmosphere with 3% O2 and 6% CO2 associated with 1+1 °C was indicated for the storage of cut rose ‘Avalanche'.