Development of Flowers and Changes in Carbon Dioxide, Ethylene, and Various Sugars of Cut Zinnia elegans Jacq.

Abstract

Abstract Postharvest flower fresh weight of Zinnia elegans Jacq. increased when held in solutions containing 200 mg liter-1 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) and sucrose and decreased when held in deionized water. Ethylene biosynthesis was enhanced by holding flowers in solutions of 8-HQC + 1, 2% or 3% sucrose compared with deionized water where ethylene release was low initially and remained low. Carbon dioxide evolution declined sharply the first 2 days postharvest and remained low for flowers held in deionized water, but remained at initial levels for those held in 200 mg liter-1 8-HQC + 3% sucrose. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose in ray florets declined to levels barely detectable if flowers were held in deionized water but increased if held in 200 mg liter-1 8-HQC + 3% sucrose. The induction of ethylene biogenesis may be an injury response caused by sucrose.