THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT GROWTH REGULATORS AND CHEMICAL TREATMENTS USED DURING POSTHARVEST FOR PRESERVING QUALITY OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Long distance transport of Chrysanthemums often results in unacceptable quality loss. Wilting and yellowing of the leaves can occur during transport or in the first days at vase. Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of different chemicals in post harvest by applying them to the water in which the flowers were hydrated before packing.

Treating the Chrysanthemum with a detergent in post harvest, increased water uptake, delayed wilting and yellowing of the leaves and improved flower opening only during the first days of vase life. Gibberellins had a positive effect on the leaves, but caused a deformation of the flowers.

Treating the flowers with S.T.S. showed little effect. In combination with gibberellins, S.T.S. consolidated the effect of the gibberellins. Still flower deformation was found, even by using very low concentrations of gibberellins.

A post harvest treatment with cytokinins in different concentrations, was found not to be effective in delaying the yellowing of the leaves. Also in combination with a detergent no effect was found, while spraying it on the leaves had a positive effect.