Improvement Postharvest Longevity of Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrid) by Sucrose, Honey and Citric Acid

In order to investigate on the interaction between sucrose, honey and citric acid on postharvest life of cut Alstroemeria, a factorial experiment based on RCD carried out with 3 replications with 15 treatments. The treatments included of 5 levels of sugar (control, 2 and 4% sucrose, 2 and 4% honey) and citric acid in 3 levels (0, 200 and 400 mg L-1). Honey 2% in 400 mg L-1 citric acid in most traits had better than other treatments and maximum vase life (18.7 days) achieved compared to control (9.84 days). The lowest bacterial solution (3.66 Log 10 CFU ml-1) and lowest MDA (11.30 nmol g-1 FW) were observed in flowers treated with honey 2% in 400 mg L-1 citric acid. Control with 48.72 nl l-1h-1 g-1 F.W. had maximum ethylene, and the 200 and 400 mg L-1 citric acid in without sugar, sucrose 4% in 400 mg L-1 citric acid and honey 4% in without citric acid had lowest ethylene production between treatments, respectively. The results showed that the use of honey (2%) and citric acid (400 mg L-1) reduced the bacterial solution, malondialdehyde and ethylene and delays wilting flowers. So cut flowers treated with these compounds is recommended to maintain vase life of cut alstroemeria.