Measures for improvement of vaselife and quality of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii var. | |
| Author | Wijesekera, Arundathie Himangi Stella |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-03-07 |
| Subject(s) | Gerbera -- Postharvest technology Cut flower industry Cut flowers -- Postharvest technology |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-03-07 |
| Abstract | Gerbera ( Gerbera jamesonii var. "Carmen") is a commonly used cut flower in the world floriculture industry. Short vase life of this flower is due primarily to the stalk breakage and wilting of petals in about three to four days which limit the use of this flower as a cut flower. Therefore this study was conducted to identify measures to extend the vase life of Gerbera flower. Individual flowers were kept in seven sucrose concentrations (viz. 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 g r 1 ) combined with 200 ppm 8- hydroxyquinaline sulfate (8-HQS) for six pulse durations (viz. 2, 4, 6, 8,10 and 12hours). The longevity of the flowers, flower color, flower angle, petal angle, flower position angle and flower diameter were recorded. Sucrose concentrations of 80 g/l and 100 g/l at 12-hour pulsation gave the best results in vase life (9 days) and other selected quality parameters. In the second study 80 g/l and 100 g/l sucrose concentrations with 12 hour pulse duration were tested with silver thiosulfate (STS) concentrations (viz. 0, 0.1 , 0.2 and 0.3 mM Ag) and three pulse durations (10, 20 and 30minutes). Same observations and in addition, anthocyanin content of petals were estimated. STS at 0.2mM/l for 1 Omin followed by sucrose at lOOg/l in combination with 8-HQS for 12 hours had a significant improvement of the vase life of flowers to thirteen days and maintaining higher mean value for red colour of petals when compared to control. There were no significant differences in quality parameters with flower angle, petal angle, flower position angle and flower diameter, found between this treatment and sucrose alone or other STS treatments. |
| Year | 2003 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-03-07 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ranamukhaarachchi, S.L.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Rakshit, Sudip Kumar ;Athapol Noomhorm; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of the Netherlands; |
| Degree | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |