S05 - Session P1 - Application of harvista to ornamental plant species

Authors: Christian Gehl, Julian Wagenhaus, Margrethe Serek *

The postharvest performance of a range of ornamental plant species is negatively affected by ethylene, which includes the enhancement of senescence and abscission. Two popular ornamental plant species with considerable economic importance, Campanula portenschlagiana and Schlumbergera truncata , were treated with an ethylene antagonist HarvistaTM, which is a sprayable formulation of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). The plants were tested for their reaction to different concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%) of HarvistaTM. The extent of its efficacy was attained by the comparison to the gaseous application of 1-MCP (SmartFreshTM), silver thiosulfate (STS), or control treatment. Fresh weight, longevity and cumulative bud drop were chosen as suitable evaluation parameters. Experiments were conducted with or without addition of ethylene. Our study confirmed HarvistaTM to be an immensely effective ethylene antagonist. For all tested cultivars the HarvistaTM 4% treatment was the most effective application, either performing equally good or better than STS. SmartFreshTM achieved a significant prolongation of the display life, but showed to be comparable to lower concentrations of HarvistaTM. The sprayable formulation of 1-MCP convinced with easy usage, allowed short treatment periods and proved to be effortlessly adjustable in its concentrations.