Study On Bending Mechanism And Fresh-keeping Technological Of Cut Gerbera Flower

In order to study comparative anatomy of two varieties of Gerbera, including pink 'Fiona' and golden 'Sondance', we used optical microscope and scanning electronic microscope to survey their differences in physiology. We analyzed the reason of stem-bending at aspect of anatomical structure in cut gerbera flower. We also studied the methods of fresh-keeping of cut gerbera flowers. On the bases of vase life survey, effects of active oxygen and other factors on senescence of cut gerbera were investigated by means of measuring containing water, the activities of SOD, POD and MDA, the content of soluble protein, total sugar and cane sugar. Moreover, effects of such solutions with different concentrations K⁺ or Ca²⁺ on senescence of cut gerbera flowers were discussed. The main results were shown as follows:(1) The difference of the quality of stem-bending in different varieties is distinct, and the pink 'Fiona' Gerbera is more difficult-bending than the golden 'Sondance' variety.(2) Most of anatomy structure of the two varieties of Gerbera cut flowers is the same. But compound perforation and vesturing are only exist in pink 'Fiona' gerbera.(3) The reasons of different bending capacity in Gerbera are perhaps related with Gerbera's turgor and sustainment. As difficult-bending gerbera, pink 'Fiona' gerbera has compound perforation and vesturing, which can be helpful to conduct water longitudinally. Comparing with golden 'Sondance', pink variety has smaller diameter of vessels and larger square of vascular bundle, which can conduct water more efficient and more strength than golden variety. While, this anatomical structure is also helpful to store water.(4) We selected the most suitable basic preservative concentrations(1.5%S+ 150mg/L 8-HQC) in this experiment.(5) The treatments were the preservatives which added scavengers of K2HPO4 and CaCl₂ into basic preservative. They could be found that all of preservatives could prolong vase life of cut gerbera flower. Among them, preservatives (1.5%S+150mg/L 8-HQC+100mg/L K₂HPO₄) and (1.5%S+150mg/L 8-HQC+100mg/L CaCl₂) were the best treatments, which prolonged 'Fiona' Gerbera and 'Sondance' Gerbera 4 to 7 days of vase life and improved ornamental qualities.