The effects of varying exogenous ethylene exposure on STS treated carnations

Abstract

Preliminary sampling of ambient ethylene levels at places where cut flowers are typically found, showed highest ethylene concentrations in a supermarket (0.0849 p.p.m.).

Ethylene levels on the Port Hills were 0.0311 p.p.m. under the inversion layer and 0.0028 p.p.m. above the inversion layer. Of six sites sampled, the Port Hills, the supermarket and the auction had significantly different concentrations from all other sites.

There was no significant variation between the ethylene levels found at the wholesaler, the florist or the grower.

In the main experiment, carnation cut flowers (Dianthus ca.ryophyllu8 L.) cv. 'Orange Candy' were treated with Silver thiosulphate (STS) then exposed to exogenous ethylene of constant concentration (1 p.p.m.) for a period of 2, 4, 8, 12 or 24 hours. The effect on the subsequent vase life of the flowers was observed.

All exposures of ethylene gave no response. Vaselife of STS treated flowers over control flowers was increased by 1.3 days.

Results are compared with previous work and their application to the commercial situation is discussed.