Studies on Postharvest Physiology of Paphiopedilum Cut Flower

• Main Authors: Hsiao-Ching Kuan, 官曉青
• Other Authors: Jyh-Shyan Tsay
• Format: Others
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/08145227374463537928

碩士 === 國立嘉義大學 === 農學研究所 === 91 === The purpose of this research was to study the postharvest physiology and ultrastructure of three species of cut flowers, i.e. Paphiopedilum callosum, P. delenatii and P. esquirolei. Under room temperature, all the cut flowers of three species have showed the following characters. In the slight-wilt flower stage, the sepal, petal and lip were partly weak, thin and transparent. In the wilting-flower stage, water loss of flowers induced the browning of sepal, petal and lip, then lost their vase life. The vase life of P. delenatii and P. callosum was between 8-9 days, which was significantly shorter than the 13 days vase life of P. esquirolei under room temperature. P. esquirolei had the highest volume of water uptake, followed by P. callosum, and then P. delenatii. The water reducing ratio was the highest found in P. callosum, and the lowest in P. esquirolei. The fresh weight change rate of P. esquirolei was lower than that of P. callosum and P. delenatii. The ethylene production of P. esquirolei was lower than that of P. callosum and P. delenatii in the stage 2-3 of vase life. During the vase period, color degradation appeared first in species of P. callosum, and last in P. esquirolei. Electrolytes leakage of sepal was significantly higher in P. callosum than in P. delenatii and P. esquirolei. The results showed that P. esquirolei had relatively high volume of water uptake, low ratio of water reducing, low electrolyte leakage rate, which made it have a longer vase life. The water uptake of cut flowers of all three species was the highest in the first day. The flowers appeared full and glossy. In addition, the epidermal cells of sepal, petal and lip were arrayed in a compact and swelling appearance. As the water uptake reduced gradually, and the water loss of flowers resulted in dehydration, and wilt of the epidermis of sepal, petal and lip. Whereas the visible wilt symptom appeared due to the sunken cells of above parts. The sepal, petal and lip of P. callosum and P. esquirolei sunk inward, thus resulting in crimple appears on the margin. The sepal, petal and lip of P. delenatii sunk outward, therefore, resulted in an appearance of multi-layer plaints. In conclusion of this study, P. esquirolei has the highest water uptake, the longest vase life, and the latest appearance of aging symptoms.