The Use of Silver Thiosulfate Anionic Complex as a Foliar Spray to Prevent Flower Abscission of Zygocactus1

Abstract

After 4 days, zygocactus plants ( Schlumbergera truncata ) exposed to air containing 0.5, 5 and 50 µl/liter C 2 H 4 or held in the dark at 26°C dropped all their buds and flowers. Foliar application of silver thiosulfate (STS) significantly reduced flower and bud abscission of zygocactus plants stressed by exposure to C 2 H 4 or 26°C plus dark even 4 weeks after application. Phytotoxicity was negligible when the silver concentration was 2 m m or less.