APPLICATION OF OJIP CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE TRANSIENT ANALYSIS TO STUDY THE POSTHARVEST CHANGES IN PHOTOSINTHETIC APPARATUS IN CUT FOLIAGE SPECIES

Chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) is a non-invasive technique that can be potentially used in postharvest research to gain useful information on early responses to postharvest stresses. This study was conducted to validate the application of ChlF transient analysis in determining the postharvest changes in photosynthetic apparatus in three ornamental foliage species, i.e., Cordyline fruticosa ‘Willy’s Gold’ and ‘Rubra’, Dracaena sanderiana ‘White’, and Nephrolepis exaltata. Salicylic acid (100 and 300 mg·L−1), glucose (10 g·L−1), and their combinations were used as holding solutions with control treatment (distilled water) at room temperature (25±2°C). Vase life was evaluated using OJIP analysis. OJIP parameters, i.e., specific energy fluxes per reaction center (ABS/RC, TR/RC, ET/RC, and DI/RC), flux ratios (maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry-φPo), electron transport efficiency (ψo), and quantum yield of electron transport (φEo), and performance index (PI) were recorded every other day, using a fluorometer (FluorPen 100). Leaf chlorophyll contents of all species and anthocyanin contents of two cordyline cultivars were determined. Data were subjected to ANOVA in a completely randomized design. Mean separation was done by DMRT (p ≤ 0.05). Clear variations in ChlF were observed in every foliage species with the time. OJIP analysis showed species-depended variations. The higher ABS/RC and DI/RC were recorded for D. sanderiana and N. exaltata compared to the PI of those species. At the end of the experiment, the chlorophyll contents were decreased, while anthocyanin contents were increased. Consequently, chlorophyll fluorescence changes in photosynthetic apparatus can be used for the prediction of the postharvest stresses and longevity of cut foliage.

Cut foliage: potentiality of native Argentine ferns as new ornamental crops

The cut foliage constitutes an important part of the floricultural production since it represents a fundamental element in flower arrangements, and ferns are the complementary elements most used by florists. In Argentina, there is native material that has not been yet domesticated and could have suitable characteristics for foliage use. The objective of the work was to determine the potential use of 15 native ferns as cut foliage through quality parameters and vase life, generating a scoring system that allows a classification list. Morphological descriptors such as petiole length, length and width of the blade, planes in which the fronds are arranged, brightness, consistency, abundance of spores and presence of pests were taken into account. Also, the production of fronds of six selected species with good scores was recorded. The results showed that it is feasible to consider the commercial production of Pityrogramma calomelanos, Niphidium crassifolium, Campyloneurum nitidum, Blechnum austrobrasilianum and Pteris denticulata by the quantity of fronds obtained and their quality, represented by their size. Campyloneurum nitidum excelled for its vase life of more than 26 days and frond production of 273.61 fronds m-2 at second year cultivation. Pteris denticulata produces 179.44 fronds m-2 but vase life was only 7 days.

A comparative study on seed physiology and germination requirements for 15 species of Eucalyptus

Seed physiology of 15 Eucalyptus species of interest for cut foliage plantations was unknown and therefore evaluated. The viability and vigour of seeds and germination potential of 15 Eucalyptus species was determined by using a tetrazolium (TZ) staining test, and the results were compared to a germination test. In a separate experiment, seeds of each lot were subjected to either 0 or 4-week cold stratification at 4 ± 1 °C to investigate their potential stratification requirement. After stratification, seeds were then allowed to germinate at 22 ± 1 °C with 16 h lighting per day for 36 days. Seed viability and vigour were checked by evaluating % root, cotyledon and first true leaves emergence, and the speed of emergence, in the germination test. The germination percentages varied with the species. Seed stratification with the interaction of seed species lots significantly affected both viability and vigour. The seed viability of the different species ranged from 9 to 100% and 2 to 100%, for the TZ test and germination test, respectively, with a high correlation (R2 = 0.89) between the two. Physiology tests revealed that cold stratification of seed was not required for the 15 species to maximise their germination potential and growth in Irish and British climate.

Effect of media and foliar concoction on growth, yield and quality of Dracaena (Dracaena reflexa ‘Variegata’) as cut foliage

A study was conducted during the year 2018-2020 to find out a suitable potting media and foliar concoction to increase the growth, yield and quality of Dracaena reflexa ‘Variegata’ as cut foliage. The experiment was laid out in CRBD with 13 treatments and three replications. The various treatments significantly influenced the growth, yield and quality attributes of dracaena. Among the different treatments, T12 (sand + vermicompost + red earth+ coir compost+ FYM+ burned rice husk (0.5:0.5:0.5:0.5:0.5:0.5 v/v) as potting media + foliar concoction spray of1%90:90:90 NPK fertilizer + 0.4% FeSO4 + 0.2% MgSO4 + 0.4 % ZnSO4 + 0.2% boron + 0.3% copper + 0.1 % molybdenum + 0.2% manganese + 0.1% cobalt + 0.5% sea weed extract + 250 ppm brassinosteroid at monthly interval) was found to be the best in growth and yield attributes such as plant height (63.4 cm), plant spread (192.4cm¬2), leaves per plant (45.9), leaf length (57.8 cm), leaf width(6.1 cm),leaf area (300.1 cm2), relative growth rate ( 0.07cm day-1), chlorophyll content (17.2 SPAD value), root length (53.8 cm), single leaf weight (22.2 g), shoot fresh weight per plant (717.2 g), root fresh weight per plant (386.2 g), total plant fresh weight (1103.4 g), dry matter production (441.3 g) and leaf yield per plant 36.2 on 270 days after planting. Quality characters like longevity of the leaves in the plant (47.4 days) and visual scoring (9.8), freshness index (88.4), colour index (89), vase life without pulsing(9.9 days) and vase life with pulsing(18.8 days) of the cut foliage of the dracaena were also noted high in T12. Control (T13) recorded the minimum in growth and yield attributes of dracaena such as plant height (33.8 cm), plant spread (85.2cm¬2), leaves per plant (25.6), leaf length (36.1 cm), leaf width (2.1 cm), leaf area (82.8cm2), relative growth rate ( 0.03 cm day-1), chlorophyll content (10.6 SPAD value), root length (28.4 cm), single leaf weight (13.9 g), shoot fresh weight per plant (258.7 g), root fresh weight per plant (139.3 g), total plant fresh weight (398.1 g), dry matter production (159.3 g) and leaf yield per plant (15.6) on 270 DAP, while the quality characters like longevity of the leaves in the plant (35.9 days) and visual scoring (5.6), freshness index (68.4), colour index (69.8), vase life without pulsing (3.8 days) and vase life with pulsing (8.9 days) of the cut foliage of the dracaena were recorded the least.

Effect of spectral manipulation and seasonal variations on cut foliage production and quality of Philodendron (Philodendron ‘Xanadu’)

Influence of spectral manipulation of light using coloured nets and seasonal variation on cut foliage yield and quality of Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ was evaluated under red, green, white and black coloured shade nets permitting light intensities ranging from 240.50 to 370μ mol m-2 s-1 (75% shade net), for two consecutive years from 2014-16, at ICARIIHR, Bengaluru. The plants grown under white shade net (75% shade) resulted in higher foliage production plant-1month-1 (14.53) and were on par with those grown under green shade net. The quality of the cut foliage in plants grown under white shade net with respect to stalk length (24.91 cm) and width of the lamina (5.19 cm) was on par with those under green and black shade nets. Coloured shade nets did not influence the vase life of the cut foliage. Developmental stages of the foliage under the different coloured nets have indicated that leaves attained the harvestable maturity stage at 29.92 days post-emergence under white shade. Cultivation of Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ under white shade resulted in maximum cut foliage yield and quality.

Cut foliages.

This chapter focuses on cut foliage, which refers to leaves and stems harvested for the purpose of providing texture, color and depth to bouquets and floral arrangements. Information on the categorization of cut foliage species based on various environmental factors and harvest and postharvest systems. Some examples of tropical and subtropical cut foliage species are provided along with their cultivation, harvesting and postharvest requirements are also presented.

Effect of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) on the Biochemical and Physiological Parameters of Postharvest Quality of Polygonatum multiflorum L. All. ‘Variegatum’ Cut Foliage

Due to the dynamic development of the floriculture market, new species and varieties of plants that can potentially be used as a source of cut greenery are constantly being sought. The experiment was conducted to analyze the effect of the cultivation site (unheated foil tunnel and open field) and treatments with the Pentakeep V formulation (0.00%, 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06%) on the vase life and postharvest quality of Polygonatum multiflorum ‘Variegatum’ cut foliage. There was a positive effect of the cultivation in the unheated foil tunnel on the vase life and biochemical parameters, namely the electrolyte leakage (EL), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), chlorophyll a + b (Chl. a + b), proline, peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), of P. multiflorum cut foliage. Foliar application of Pentakeep V formulation at concentrations of 0.04% and 0.06% contributed to a decrease in the TBARS content in the P. multiflorum cut leaves, regardless of the plant cultivation site. Additionally, it reduced proline production in cut leaves of P. multiflorum cultivated in the unheated foil tunnel, which was confirmed by the analyses carried out after the 30 days of the experiment. Furthermore, the exogenous application of ALA during P. multiflorum cultivation inhibited POD activity, irrespective of its concentration and the site of plant cultivation.

Striving for sustainable value chain establishment: a multiple feasibility analysis approach

PurposeOver the last decade, value chain for development has shown its bias towards global value chain approaches. This article proposes a holistic framework to carry out feasibility analysis for the establishment of a value chain.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was used to collect and analyse data from a wide range of stakeholders potentially involved in establishment of a global cut-foliage value chain based on wild harvesting of ornamental ferns in New Caledonia.FindingsMultiple feasibility analyses revealed issues that need to be addressed, priorities for different stakeholders and possible ways forward in the establishment of a value chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework supports businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, donors and governments in proceeding with value chain establishment with significant consideration of social, economic and environmental drivers for sustainability.Originality/valueRelevant concepts in several fields are integrated into a single framework that can guide feasibility analysis of value chain establishment.