POST-HARVEST LONGEVITY OF LEAVES OF THE IBERIAN CRANESBILLS (GERANIUM PLATYPETALUM FISCH. ET MEY.) AFTER THE APPLICATION OF GIBBERELLIC ACID

P. Wróblewska, P. Deręgowska, B. Janowska, R. Andrzejak, M. Kujawa, M. Rybus-Zając

Abstract: In the following study the influence of Geranium platypetalum leaves conditioning in gibberellic acid onto their post-harvest longevity and quality was assessed. leaves were conditioned in water solution of gibberellic acid (ga3) at the concentration of 25 and 50 ppm for 4 and 24 hours. 4-hour leaves conditioning was conducted in a room at the temperature of 18-20°c, and with 10-hour photoperiod and under fluorescent light of quantum irradiance of 25 μmol∙m-2∙s-1. 24-hour leaves conditioning was conducted in a cool room at the temperature of 5°c. afterwards, the leaves were placed in distilled water. leaves from the control group were placed in distilled water immediately after harvesting. 24-hour conditioning of Geranium platypetalum leaves in gibberellic acid at the concentration of 25 and 50 ppm prolonged their post-harvest longevity by 9.4 – 23.2 days. gibberellic acid had a retarding effect onto chlorophyll decomposition in leaves. 4 and 24-hour conditioning of Geranium platypetalum leaves in gibberellic acid at the concentration of 25 and 50 ppm has a favourable effect onto protein content at different stages of the advancing ageing process. Conditioning of Geranium platypetalum leaves in gibberellic acid at the concentration of 25 ppm for 24 hours and in ga3 at the concentration of 50 ppm increased the saccharides content.

Keywords: growth regulators; index of leaves greenness; longevity; protein; saccharides; florists greens

Date published: 2017-09-26