Changes in carbohydrate content in cut chrysanthemum [Dendranthema x grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura] 'Shuho-no-chikara' stems kept at different temperatures during anthesis and senescence

Abstract

Changes in carbohydrate content in capitulum, upper stems, middle stems, lower stems, upper leaves, and middle leaves in cut chrysanthemum stalks placed in vases at 20, 25 and 30 °C were investigated for 3 weeks. The capitula showed no apparent senescence symptoms within 3 weeks at 20 °C and 25 °C, but senesced rapidly at 30 °C. The leaves wilted earlier than did the capitula. Fructans were found at all plant parts, particularly, in the stems. During capitulum development, fructan content in the upper and middle stems rapidly declined to a low level which suggests that fructans in these stems were utilized for capitulum development. After the anthesis, leaves and stems seemed to serve as a carbohydrate source, but we could not elucidate whether the quantity of carbohydrates in the leaves and stems is related to the longevity of cut chrysanthemums.