Studies On Storage And Postharvest Physiology Of Cut Flowers In Peony And Chinese Herbaceous Peony

The studies of the selection of cultivars,suitable gather time of flowers,vase life,storage period and physiologic characteristics during the storage period were conducted from 2003 to 2004 in peony and chinese herbaceous peony cut flowers,the chemicals and germicides for the cut flowers were tested also.The development and senescence mechanism of the cut flowers were discussed in this paper,so as to provide theretical and practical basis for prolonging vase life and storage period of the cut flowers. 1. There wre 7 peonies and 14 chinese herbaceous peonies were suitable for cut flowers selected from corresponding 21 peony and 14 chinese herbaceous peony cultivars.The vase life of the peonies and chinese peonies would last for 7 days and 9～10 days. 2. The study results showed that chemical prescription M2,M10 and M6 could be suitable for peony which can increase the corresponding vase life 40.0%,35.7% and 32.8% more than control,S10,S3,S1 could be suitable for chinese herbaceous peony and increase 38.8%,36.6% and 34.4% also.All of the chemical prescriptions made cut flowers maintain a relatively better water balance, postpone soluble protein resolve and improve SOD and CAT activity. 1-methylcycopropene (1-MCP) at 1.0μl/L could prolong vase life in'Zixiaxian'peony. Ethylene production and membrane permeability was inhibited in the treatments. 3. The activity of SOD increased ripidly during the early flower development stage,while declined as full bloom.The activity of CAT was similar to SOD.There were postive relations between MDA content which is one of the productions of membrane lipid peroxidation, the increase of membrane permeability and the total saturant fatty.On the contray,IUFA(index number of unsaturant fatty acid)had a negatively relation between MDA content, membrane permeability and the total saturant fatty during vase life.The proportion of saturant fatty acid increased but unsaturant fatty acid declined during the period .It was suggested that the increase of membrance permeation resulted from the membrane lipid peroxidation,might be the main factor for senescence of the cut flowers. 4. 13 peony and 9 chinese herbaceous peony cultivars after the storage at 2℃were tested. The results showed that the rate of flower bloom and vase life were gradually decreased with the storage time.The'Zhuangyuanhong','Baihuacongxiao','Yinhongqiaodui','Zierqiao','Luhehong','Lanfurong'and 'Zixiaxian'peony had a shorter storage life,and the'Fenyinzhen','Zihongxiuqiu','Qihualushuang','Jinzanciyu'and'Taohuafeixue'chinese herbaceous peony had a longer.Peonies generally had a storage life of 25 days and chinese herbaceous peony had about 60 days in storage at 2℃. 5. The fresh weight of cut flower decreased continually and the water loss caused water deficiency stress during storage,which caused cell membrane injure,so the water uptake decreased,the balance of water was losed.With the MDA content raise,the increase of membrance permeation caused by membrane lipid peroxidation and the decrease of SOD and CAT activity were the main reason which lead to senescence of the cut flowers. 6. Pre-cooling could decrease the respiration rate and postpone senescence of cut flowers,dispel water droplets and growth of mold and decay organisms. The some germicides were effective.A mixture germicide(1000mg/kg thiophanate-methyl + 1000mg/kg carbendazim) showed a good effect. 7. The suggestions about the technical indexes of storage of peony and chinese herbaceous peony would be made according to the experiments as follows: (1)Floral axis of peony >30cm,and chinese herbaceous peony >45cm. (2)The optimum harvest stage of cut flowers is tight bud with color showing.The index of flower bloom would be 1 for normal storage period,and the index would be 2 for shorter. (3)Pre-treatment:put the cut flower stems in 4mmol/L STS for 10～15min,and then immerse them rapidly in 1000mg/kg thiophanate-methyl+1000mg/kg　carbendazim. (4)Packing big buds with paper,putting them into plastic bags ,and then　encasement for storage or transportation. (5)The storage temperature should be kept at 1～2 ℃,and 1～3 ℃in refrigerator tracks for long-distance transportation.