Longevity of Zinnia elegans inflorescences affected by sucrose and recuts of the stem

Abstract

 Flowers of zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) are well adapted to the growing conditions of South-eastern Brazil, and have excellent potential to be commercialized as cut flower. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of sucrose, applied as pulsing solution, and the effect of periodical recuts on the stem base on the flowers longevity and flowers water uptake. Cut inflorescences with similar length were pulsed for six hours with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% sucrose or with 10% sucrose for 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours, with or without recuts at stem base at every 48 hours. Treatments with 5, 10, 15 and 20% sucrose for six hours did not affect flower longevity compared to untreated flowers. Recuts on the stem base improved water uptake and extended the flower longevity. Pulsing the inflorescences with 10% sucrose for 18 or 24 hours hastened flower senescence in vase. Ethylene production was inhibited by increasing the concentration of sucrose in the pulsing solution