Bacteria in vase solution affect water uptake and postharvest qualities of cut Lilium, especially early-harvest lilies with small buds
The xylem occlusion by bacteria is a main issue in the postharvest maintenance of cut flowers.
Lily is thought to be relatively tolerant to dirty water compared to other cut flowers, such as gerbera and roses.
Besides, lily growers might harvest lilies at different maturities to meet different markets demands.
To clarify the myth, we investigated the effects of bacteria on postharvest quality and water uptake of lilies at different harvest stage.
Stems of Lilium Nashville and Sorbonne were harvested at two stages.
The large bud group were harvested a day before the first flower opened.
The first and second buds were colored and puffy.
The small bud group were harvested a week before the first flower opened and only the first buds were slightly colored.
Stems were placed into test tubes containing tap water (1.3×102 cfu mL‑1) or bacterial water (BW) (6.3×106 cfu mL‑1). For both maturation stages, BW reduced cumulative water uptake in both cultivars after 1 and 7 days in the vase.
The higher water uptake also contributed to greater FW increase, particularly in Sorbonne. Average flower diameter, individual flower life and vase life in Sorbonne were affected by BW in both bud size groups, but harvest stage had little effect on these postharvest parameters.
Noticeably, BW treated Sorbonne showed obvious reduced flower diameter of the 4th bud compared to the 1st flower in the small bud group, but not in the large bud group.
Unlike Sorbonne, with Nashville, harvest stage had no effect on the ratio of oldest to youngest flowers as a result of BW treatment.
To sum up, bacterial water reduced water uptake and postharvest qualities on both cultivars, and lilies harvested at younger stage were less tolerant to bacterial levels in the vase.
Chen, Y.H. and Miller, W.B. (2024). Bacteria in vase solution affect water uptake and postharvest qualities of cut Lilium, especially early-harvest lilies with small buds. Acta Hortic. 1397, 47-54
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1397.8
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1397.8
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1397.8
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1397.8
colony forming unit, cut flowers, flower diameter, maturity
English