Pretreatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) reduced the flower abscission in Phaleonopsis cut orchid
Abstract
Phaleonopsis cut orchids were pretreated for 6 hours at 25 °C with or without 1-MCP. Treated cut orchids were exposed to 800 ppm of 1-methylcyclopropane (1-MCP). Then, all cut flowers were treated with ethylene for 15 hours and after that were held in flask containing flower food individually at 25 °C to follow abscission. It was observed that, 20–30% of the floral buds and flowers abscised within 4 days in untreated sample. However, in treated sample, the 1-MCP pretreatment reduced the bud and petal abscission and the cut orchids were still maintained acceptable until day 7 before starting to abscise between 10-14 days of storage period. Result also showed that the ethylene production was inhibited and ACC oxidase activity was decreased in samples treated with 1-MCP. Thus, 1-MCP pretreatments prolong the shelf life of cut orchids from 4 days in control up to 10 days in treated samples, both displayed in 25 °C.
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Introduction
The critical criteria of cut flowers are the quality and appearance at the retail and consumer level. Once the flowers are cut from their mother plant, they are gotten to be perishable and sensitive to the environment. They are sensitive to ethylene, agaseous plant hormone that significantly influences their development and growth. A few detrimental consequences of ethylene exposure are premature wilting, flower or petal drop and abnormal opening (Nur Azlin et al., 2013). So, to expand market, the cut orchid needs to have along vase life, consequently it gets premium price.
In numerous studies to expand the shelf life of ornamental plants, inhibiting the reaction to ethylene is a proficient procedure. Some ethylene inhibitors for example aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), silver ions and aminooxyacetic (AOA) have been assessed for their impacts on ethylene responses. Other than that, the revelation of cyclopropenes, specifically 1-methycyclopropene (1-MCP) is successfully inhibiting ethylene reactions (Sisler, E.C. and Serek, M. 1997, 2003). Application of 1-MCP detailing its advantageous effect against ethylene such as in chrysanthemum and carnation (Hassan and Gerzson, 2002), rosa hybrid (Serek et al., 1994) and many other ornamental species.
Extending the storage life of cut orchids would able them to be distributed in further markets thus gives more prominent opportunity for growers and exporters. Extending the storage life would also result in greater flexibility and efficiency in dealing with cut orchids. Premium Malaysian cut orchid’squality package with long shelf life, all of these will benefit insetting up a premium price thus move forward the economy and develop Malaysian cut flowers industry. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the potential of 1-MCPpretreatment in reducing flower abscission in Phaleonopsis cut orchids.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 1-MCP pretreatment extend the shelf life and reduce the abscission rate of buds and flowers in Phaleonopsis orchids. The 1-MCP seems to reduce ethylene production in cut orchids by limiting the ACC to convert to ethylene exhibit by decrease in ACC oxidase activity.