EVALUATION OF SEVERAL CHEMICAL AGENTS FOR PROLONGING VASE LIFE IN CUT ASPARAGUS GREENS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether the selected chemical agents can be used to preserve post-harvest quality in asparagus greens. The agents evaluated were Chrysal RVB®, Chrysal SVB®, gibberellic acid, benzyladenine, and a preservative solution containing hydroxyquinoline and sucrose. The agents were tested on three asparagus taxa: A. densiflorus 'Meyerii', A. densiflorus 'Myriocladus', and A. setaceus. Chrysal RVB® and Chrysal SVB® were applied by pulsing for 24 hours. Gibberellic acid and benzyladenine were applied both by pulsing for 24 hours, and by dipping for a few seconds. With the 8-HQC and sucrose solution, the shoots were placed directly in the preservative solution. After pulsing or dipping, the shoots were placed in distilled water. The shoots placed in the preservative solution were not transferred to distilled water, but kept in the solution for the duration of the experiment. The shoots were transferred to a climate control storage room under a 12 hour photoperiod. Vase life was recorded, and chlorophyll content was monitored throughout the storage period. Chrysal RVB® doubled vase life in 'Meyerii', had no effect in 'Myriocladus', and actually shortened vase life in A. setaceus. Chrysal SVB® tripled vase life in 'Meyerii', and doubled vase life in 'Myriocladus'. However, it shortened vase life in A. setaceus. Chlorophyll content also remained high in 'Meyerii' and 'Myriocladus' shoots treated with Chrysal SVB®. Gibberellic acid prolonged vase life in 'Meyerii' and 'Myriocladus', but had no effect in A. setaceus. Chlorophyll content also remained high in 'Meyerii' and 'Myriocladus' shoots treated with GA 3 . Benzyladenine prolonged vase life in all three taxa tested, even in A. setaceus. Chlorophyll content also remained high in shoots A. setaceus treated with BA. The 8-HQC and sucrose solution doubled vase life in 'Meyerii', had no effect in 'Myriocladus', and shortened vase life in A. setaceus. All of the agents tested prolonged vase life in at least one of the asparagus taxa tested. Most of them, however, had no effect or even shortened vase life in other taxa. The effects differed widely depending on the taxon in question.