Postharvest conservation of cut stems of Genista monosperma ‘Gabriella’ in controlled environmental conditions and preservative solutions

Genista monosperma Lam. is an ornamental woody species, widely cultivated in the Italian North-West coast for cut flower production during the winter season. The effectiveness of controlled atmospheres (CA) associated with different conservation solutions and methods on cut flowers of G. monosperma ‘Gabriella’ was investigated. Cut stems were stored in three different storage cells (2°C and 90% UR) with 21%, 10% and 5% O2, respectively. In each storage cell, cut stems were submitted to the following pre-treatments: Chrysal Clear® solution (9.38 g/L), Chrysal RVB® pulsing (1 g/L), conservation in dry box with KMnO4 (0.079 g/L), compared to the control in tap water.After one month, cut flowers were treated with solutions containing Tween 20® (500 µg/L) or GA3 (5 µg/L), compared to the control in tap water. In cut flower stored at 21% O2 an evident fresh weight loss was detectable. However, the pre-treatment with Chrysal Clear® solution enhanced the cut flower longevity and the fresh weight maintenance. In particular, this pre-treatment performed in atmospheres with 21% or 5% O2 followed by the GA3 treatment could extend the vase-life up to 6-7 days, compared to 1-3 days of the control.Concerning the storage in dry box, good results were obtained combining a low oxygen concentration (5-10%) with Tween 20® treatment (longevity of about 5 days).These preliminary results suggest the usefulness of storage in controlled atmospheres combined with different postharvest treatments.