STORAGE OF CUT CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT DIFFERENT CUTTING TEMPERATURES

Abstract

The objective of this research was the evaluation of postharvest quality of ‘Yoko ono’ and ‘Statesman’ chrysanthemums, stored at different temperatures. The experiment was carried out in a plastic greenhouse, at Cordeirópolis, São Paulo State, Brazil (22º28’55”S, 47º27’24”W and altitude 668 m). The inflorescences were kept at 1.5°C, 2.5°C, and 5.0°C. The evaluated parameters were senescent flowers and necrosed ligules. The evaluations were performed at the storage room opening and at 4, 8, and 12 days, at room temperature. It was observed that chrysanthemum ‘Yoko ono’ flower senescence was accelerated at 2.5°C and 5.0°C, while, for ‘Statesman’, the senescence was larger at 1.5ºC. For ‘Yoko Ono’ and ‘Statesman’ chrysanthemums, the temperature of 1.5°C favored the development of necrosis.

KEY-WORDS: Dendranthema grandiflora; cultivars; conservation.