Abstract
Effects of pulse treatment with silver thiosulfate complex (STS), sucrose and their combination on the quality and vase life of cut Eustoma grandiflorum flowers were investigated. Cut Eustoma flowers with two open florets and four buds were treated with 0.2 mM STS, 4% sucrose and 0.2 mM STS combined with 4% sucrose and kept at 23°C, 70% relative humidity in the dark for 20 h. The vase life of cut flowers is considered to be from harvest to when less than two open florets are subtended with erect pedicels. Treatment with STS plus sucrose and sucrose alone extended vase life, advanced bud opening, and increased anthocyanin concentration in the colored parts of petals more than did STS alone. These results indicate that pulse treatments including sucrose are more effective than STS alone to improve the quality of cut, floret-bearing Eustoma flowers which are not highly sensitive to ethylene.
