Title: Gibberellins (GA3) and benzylaminopurine (BAP) affect differently the postharvest life of Calathea zebrina and Hosta sieboldiana

Authors: R.P. Vidanapathirana; J.P. Eeswara

Addresses: Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya KY 20400, Sri Lanka ' Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya KY 20400, Sri Lanka

Abstract: Effects of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and/or benzylaminopurine (BAP) either as an immersion (10 min) or a pulse (24 h), with GA₃ (0.10, 0.25 mM), BAP (0.10, 0.25 mM) alone or combination of GA₃ and BAP (0.10 mM + 0.10 mM or 0.25 mM + 0.25 mM) on the postharvest life of cut leaves of Calathea zebrina and Hosta sieboldiana were investigated. A pulse treatment with 0.10 mM GA₃ + 0.10 mM BAP was the most effective treatment (58 days, 9.6-fold increase) for C. zebrina while an immersion for 10 min in 0.25 mM GA₃ treatments was the best for H. sieboldiana (26.5 days, four-fold increase). Results suggest that GA₃ and BAP prolong the postharvest life of cut leaves of C. zebriana and H. sieboldiana by preventing chlorophyll degradation and delaying leaf senescence.

Keywords: benzylaminopurine; BAP; Calathea zebrina; zebra plant; gibberellic acid; Hosta sieboldiana; postharvest life; gibberellins; GA3; immersions; cut leaves; pulse treatment; chlorophyll degradation; leaf senescence; postharvest technology; innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2013.051985

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2013 Vol.3 No.1, pp.41 - 50

Received: 26 Apr 2012
Accepted: 23 Aug 2012
Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *

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