Efficacy of 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) and Promalin for extending the post-harvest life of Oriental lilies (Lilium x 'Mona Lisa' and 'Stargazer')

Post-harvest exposure of Oriental hybrid lilies (Lilium x 'Mona Lisa' and 'Stargazer') to ethylene caused accelerated abscission of flower buds and open flowers, and yellowing and abscission of leaves. Pre-treatment of the plants with 500 nl l(-1) 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for 18 h at 25 degreesC completely inhibited the ethylene response but did not prevent the normal senescence, wilting and abscission of the open flowers. Plants that had been treated with 'Promalin', a proprietary mixture containing 1.8%GA(4+7) + 1.8%BAP that has been recommended as a prophylaxis for post-harvest leaf yellowing in lilies, performed significantly better than control plants in air, but were only partially protected front the deleterious effects of ethylene exposure, Plants pre-treated with Promalin and 1-MCP maintained superior quality under post-harvest conditions that would normally be encountered in commercial handling of Oriental hybrid lilies. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.