Project No: 24/2014
The project aimed to obtain a better understanding of the postharvest physiology and carbohydrate metabolism of Protea cut flower stems that are susceptible to the postharvest disorder, leaf blackening – in order to improve on current pulsing techniques and/or to develop new innovative postharvest treatments to maintain product quality for the extension of vase life. The efficacy of numerous pulsing reagents were tested: water (control), glucose (industry standard), trehalose, lactulose, ascorbic acid, glycine betaine, amino butyric acid (GABA), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and nectar biosynthesis inhibitors (cycloheximide and chloramphenicol).