Postharvest Quality of Potted Impatiens walleriana Hook. f. ex D. Oliver as Influenced by Silver Thiosulphate Application and Light Conditions

Abstract

Potted plants of Impatiens walleriana Hook. f. ex D. Oliver 'Super Erfin Scarlet' were acclimatized under various preharvest shaded conditions for 30 days and then subjectec to simulated postharvest florist shop conditions, i. e., 20°C and artificial lighting providec by fluorescent tubes.
1. The shelf life of potted plants was affected by both pre- and postharvest light condi tions. Flower bud abscission was suppressed by a 60 to 80% reduction in light intensity during the 30-day preharvest period and a light intensity of 5.50W-m^-2 after harvest.
2. Under such conditions, the leaves of acclimatized plants exhibited less L x b/|a| and had increased chlorophyll content which persisted under the simulated florist shop conditions. Foliar spray of 0.001mM silver thiosulfate (STS) applied at harvest just prior to shippirq effectively reduced flower bud abscission induced by low light intensity during the posthar vest period; but STS applications had no effect on preventing weak shoot growth. Light intensity of 3.5W•m^-2 provided by 3-band radiation type fluorescent tubes, in combination with STS application, extended the shelf life of potted Impatiens plants up to 19 days.