APPLICATION OF MINERAL SALTS FOR CONSERVATION OF CUT FLOWERS OF LISIANTHUS

Abstract

In this research the effect of five mineral salts on the conservation of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) was evaluated. For this, inflorescens of ABC Blue Rim and Mariachi Carmine cultivars were placed for 12 h in solutions of 0.1 % calcium nitrate, 0.2 mM cobalt chloride, 100 mg L^-1 aluminum sulfate, 100 mg L^-1 boric acid, 0.5 mM nickel chloride and distilled water as control. Water consumption, relative fresh weight and respiration were evaluated during their vase life. Calcium nitrate and aluminum sulfate increased water consumption in Mariachi Carmine inflorescens (25-31 mL/stem) and helped in maintaining higher relative fresh weight values for a longer period of time in both cultivars (96.9 % for 9-11 days). These compounds also decreased the respiration rate of ABC Blue Rim and Mariachi Carmine inflorescences by 45- 67 and 51-59 %, respectively. Results suggest that these salts preserve the hydric relationships and the function of conductive tissues in the two varieties, which, along with the lower respiration rates, significantly improved the vase life of lisianthus.