GA3 and Benzylaminopurine Delay Leaf Yellowing in Cut Alstroemeria Stems

Abstract

Leaf yellowing of Alstroemeria hybrida L. `Rio' and `Jacqueline', as measured by sphere spectrocolorimetry, was significantly delayed in vase life studies when the ends of cut stems were immersed in solutions of BAP or GA 3 immediately following harvest. When BAP or GA 3 was used alone at 50 mg·liter -1 , foliage color and color intensity did not diminish during 14 days of storage in tap water. BAP and GA 3 also showed interaction effects on leaf color, but little was gained by using combinations of chemicals. Chemical names used: 6 N-benzylaminopurine (BAP); gibberellin (GA 3 ).