Involvement of ethylene in postharvest senescence of Boronia heterophylla flowers

Abstract

Treatment of cut flowering Boronia heterophylla (red boronia) stems with 10 L ethylene/L for 72 h at 20°C induced flower senescence and abscission, and thereby reduced stem fresh weight and vase life. Pre-treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) reduced these ethylene effects. Treatment of B. heterophylla with 10 L ethylene/L for a shorter 12 h period at 20°C did not affect vase life. Rates of endogenous ethylene production by B. heterophylla flowers increased in association with wilting during flower senescence.