Vase life of some cut flowers following fumigation with phosphine

Abstract

Phosphine (PH3) is a potential alternative fumigant to methyl bromide for insect disinfestation of cut flowers. King protea (Protea cynaroides L.), tulip (Tulipa gesneriana 'Apeldoorn'), kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos manglesii Hook.), and geraldton wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Purple Pride') were fumigated with PH3 at varying concentrations (100 to 8000 μL · L-1) for 2, 4, or 6 hours. Vase life was evaluated at 20°C, 65% relative humidity, and constant illumination with a photosynthetically active radiation of 15 μmol · m-2 · s-1. No significant change in vase life was observed for kangaroo paws after any of the PH3 fumigations. A 6-hour fumigation at 8000 μL · L-1 significantly reduced vase life in king protea, tulip, and geraldton wax flower. Geraldton wax flower and tulip were relatively sensitive to PH3, as they were damaged by 4000 μL · L-1 for 6 hours and 8000 μL · L-1 for 4 hours, respectively. Phosphine has potential as an insect disinfestation fumigant for king protea, tulip, and kangaroo paw at 4000 μL · L-1 for 6 hours without affecting vase life or causing damage.