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Effect of drought and prolonged refrigeration on senescence in cut carnation ( Dianthus caryophyllus )
Author(s) -
Paulin A.,
Kerhardy F.,
Maestri B.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1985.tb08535.x
Subject(s) - carnation , wilting , dianthus , acetaldehyde , horticulture , postharvest , frost (temperature) , caryophyllaceae , water stress , refrigeration , biology , botany , chemistry , ethanol , biochemistry , materials science , mechanical engineering , engineering , composite material
Severe water stress (40 and 50 h without water at 23°C) and long periods of refrigeration (4 and 5 weeks at 0°C) caused the peak of ethylene production by cut carnation flowers to appear soon after the return to normal conditions. Water stress caused a decrease in ψosm, but this increased back to the initial value on return to normal conditions. Accelerated wilting and massive ion leakage, probably a result of the Joss of membrane integrity, was associated with this premature burst of ethylene. Large amounts of acetaldehyde and ethanol accumulated during prolonged refrigeration (3, 4 or 5 weeks at 0°C). This accumulation of toxic metabolites may explain why the refrigeration of cut flowers for long periods causes a rapid wilting on return to normal conditions.