Post-harvest longevity of ornamental grasses conditioned in gibberellic acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate

Abstract

Florists' greens are becoming increasingly important in contemporary foristry. Numerous studies conducted on cut flower s have led to the development of technologies for their post-harvest handling; however, in the case of forists' greens they are still insufficient. Moreover, the extensive range of forists' greens lacks leaves and the leafy culms of grasses. The aim of this study was to determine the post-harvest longevity of the leaves and leafy culms of ornamental grasses conditioned in water solutions of gibberellic acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate. The post-harvest longevity of leaves was examined in cultivars of the following species: Glyceria maxima Hartm. 'Variegata', Miscanthus sinensis Thunb. 'Zebrinus' and Spartina pectinata Link. 'Aureomarginata'. The post-harvest longevity of leafy culms was investigated in Alopecurus pratensis L. 'Aureovariegatus', Chasmanthium latifolium Michx., Miscanthus sinensis Thunb. 'Silberspinne', Pennisetum alopecuroides L. and Phalaris arundinacea L. 'Picta'. Conditioning in gibberellic acid had a positive effect on the post-harvest longevity and fresh weight loss and the index of leaf greenness of leaves in the case of Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus', while conditioning in 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate improved fresh weight loss and the index of leaf greenness of the leafy culms of Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus', Pennisetum alopecuroides and the leaves of Glyceria maxima 'Variegata'.