Floral and Foliar Quality of Potted Easter Lilies after STS or Phenidone Application, Refrigerated Storage, and Simulated Shipment

Abstract

Abstract The poststorage and post-shipping quality of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. ‘Nellie White’ plants sprayed with silver thiosulfate (STS) complex or phenidone was observed in a simulated interior environment. Bud abortion and foliar chlorosis increased while floral longevity declined with increasing storage period from 0 to 4 weeks in the dark at 2°C. One to 3 days of simulated, boxed shipment at 23° subsequent to 3 weeks storage at 2° further increased foliar chlorosis but did not influence bud abortion or floral longevity. Whole plant STS sprays (0.5 to 2.0 mM Ag) prior to harvest reduced storage-induced bud abortion and increased floral longevity, but did not reduce foliar chlorosis. Ethephon application to plants that had been stored for 3 weeks at 2° induced bud abortion and abnormal floral development. STS application (1.0 mM Ag) prior to storage reduced ethephon-induced disorders. Preharvest whole plant sprays of phenidone decreased bud abortion on stored and nonstored plants but did not influence floral longevity. Uptake of phenidone and STS through cut petioles enhanced ethylene production during opening of excised lily buds. Ethylene production increased while respiration declined during senescence of excised buds. STS did not reduce but did delay the peak of ethylene production during senescence of lily flowers. Chemical names used: 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone (phenidone); (2-chlorethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon).