Physiological response and extension of vase life of cut carnation flowers treated with ethanol and acetaldehyde. I. Chlorophyll content and carbohydrate status
2002
Podd, L.A. | Van Staden, J.
Acetaldehyde and ethanol, when applied as low concentration holding solutions both extend the vase life of cut carnation flowers. A major morphological disturbance within the flowers partly responsible for this longevity increase is the inhibition of ovary development. In normally senescing flowers the ovary acts as a carbohydrate sink within the system. They gain in carbohydrate and chlorophyll content during the senescence process. The application of ethanol or acetaldehyde prevents the increase in chlorophyll in all flower organs. In the ovary itself there is a severe reduction in the amount of chlorophyll present, suggesting that these treatments are detrimental to the chloroplasts. The ovaries of treated flowers also show a marked decrease in carbohydrate content, indicating that the ovary is no longer acting as a carbohydrate sink. Nevertheless there is still a gradual carbohydrate loss from the petals. This implies the development of a new sink within the system, or that the carbohydrates from both organs are being used for cellular metabolism and flower longevity. The latter seems more likely as ethanol-treated flowers still exhibited climacteric respiration, although at a reduced rate. Thus with no photosynthates to drive the system energy must be obtained from other sources within the flower such as the ovary and petals.
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