Effect of ethylene on carnation keeping life
Date
1972-05
Authors
Barden, Laura Elizabeth, author
Hanan, Joe J., advisor
Holley, W. D., committee member
Sutherland, Thomas M., committee member
Workman, Milton, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Carnations are susceptible to flower damage when exposed to relatively low ethylene dosages. Experiments conducted at Colorado State University attempted to determine the effect of the following factors on the susceptibility of cut carnations to ethylene injury: 1) ethylene concentration, 2) length of exposure, 3) exposure temperature, and 4) age of flower. Keeping studies were used to evaluate ethylene-induced injury. Ethylene concentration and length of expo sure were evaluated simultaneously by use of a dosage term, ppb-hours. Keeping life correlated closely with dosages expressed in this manner. Beyond threshold dosage values, keeping life declined as dosage increased. Increasing the exposure temperature decreased both threshold dosage values and dosages at which keeping life, in relation to control flowers, was reduced to zero. Buds were less susceptible to ethylene injury than open flowers at all exposure temperatures. Sleepiness and subsequent flower collapse characterized severe ethylene injury to open flowers. Outer petal sleepiness and burn characterized severe ethylene injury to buds. Results in this study were comparable with results reported previously in the literature. Bud-cutting and refrigeration of cut flowers were recommended to minimize ethylene injury to carnations.
Description
Covers not scanned.
Rights Access
Subject
Carnations
Ethylene