Fertilization Termination Influences Postharvest Performance of Pot Chrysanthemum

Abstract

Abstract Interior longevity of chrysanthemum ( Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev.) increased 9 to 16 days on plants maintained at a mean maximum PAR level of 500 μmol·s −1 ·m −2 compared to plants shifted to 100 μmol·s −1 ·m −2 7 weeks after the start of inductive photoperiods. Termination of fertilization 7 weeks after initiation of inductive photoperiods increased interior longevity 7 days at PAR levels of 100 and 300 μmol·s −1 ·m −2 compared to plants where fertilization was continued until flowering. Plant quality and interior longevity were higher at a simulated shipping temperature of 4C than at 16 or 24C. Shipping duration had little effect on longevity at 4 and 16C, but decreased longevity 7 days when duration was extended from 2 to 7 days at 24C. Termination of fertilization 3 weeks before flowering increased longevity from 6 to 10 days at all simulated shipping temperatures and durations.