EFFECTS OF 1-MCP ON POSTHARVEST LIFE OF CUT DENDROBIUM 'BURANA JADE' INFLORESCENCES

Cut Dendrobium ‘Burana Jade’ inflorescences were harvested at commercial maturity stage from an orchid nursery and were transported to our laboratory in the morning by car. Stem ends were re-cut under tap-water to eliminate air bubbles and given uniform peduncle length, then were treated for 4 h at 25°C with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at the concentrations of 0, 250, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 nl L^-1 and then placed in sterile distilled water at 25°C to determine the vase life. The results showed that 1-MCP at all concentrations had no effect on vase life of cut Dendrobium ‘Burana Jade’ inflorescences but all 1-MCP treatments delayed bud drop and open flower abscission. In control inflorescences, buds dropped and open flowers abscised within 7 and 8 days, respectively, while inflorescences treated with 250 nl L^-1 1-MCP showed bud drop and flower abscission within 14 and 11 days respectively. Moreover, 1-MCP at the concentrations of 500-2000 nl L^-1 prevented flower and bud abscission during vase life.