Abstract
Acetaldehyde is the causal agent of ethanol-induced longevity increases in carnation cut flowers. It increases the vase life of cut carnation flowers by at least 50%. The capacity of acetaldehyde to regulate carnation flower senescence was therefore investigated. Ethylene formation was reduced or inhibited as a result of acetaldehyde application. There was, however, no prevention of ethylene action. The morphological development of the ovary was also inhibited, thus eliminating the movement of metabolites from the petals. The potential use of acetaldehyde as a post-harvest treatment is however impractical, due to the inefficiency of pulse treatments and ineffectiveness in preventing the action of exogenous ethylene.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cook EL and Van Staden J (1983) Senescence of cut carnation flowers: Ovary development and CO2 fixation. Plant Growth Regul 1: 221–232
Heins RD (1980) Inhibition of ethylene synthesis and senescence in carnation by ethanol. J Amer Soc Hort Sci 105: 141–144
Heins RD and Blakely N (1980) Influence of ethanol on ethylene biosynthesis and flower senescence of cut carnation. Sci Hort 13: 361–369
Podd LA and Van Staden J (1998) The role of ethanol and acetaldehyde in flower senescence and fruit ripening – a review. Plant Growth Regul 26: 183–189
Podd LA and Van Staden J (1999) Is acetaldehyde the causal agent in the retardation of carnation flower senescence by ethanol? J Plant Physiol 154: 351–354
Wu M-J, Zacarias L, Saltviet ME and Reid MS (1992) Alcohols and carnation senescence. HortScience 27: 136–138
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Podd, L., van Staden, J. The use of acetaldehyde to control carnation flower longevity. Plant Growth Regulation 28, 175–178 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006246617729
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006246617729