Cut gladiolus postharvest using holding solutions with calcium

Abstract

Calcium (Ca²⁺) is an essential nutrient for plants, necessary in the structure of cell wall and membrane. Use of calcium in postharvest has been a successful alternative to maintain quality and delaying senescence in cut flowers. Holding solutions improve longevity and quality of cut flowers and generally contain carbohydrates, germicide and plant growth regulators, among other substances that can maintain or regulate metab­olism after cutting. It was evaluated the effect of calcium in holding solution on longevity and quality of 'White Friendship' gladiolus cut inflorescences. Inflorescences harvested with all flowers completely closed were placed in the following holding solutions: distilled water; [sucrose (4%) (S)] + [germicide (0.66 mg L^-1 of sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate) (G)]; [S + G + 0.1% CaCl₂]; and [S + G + 0.2% CaCl₂] and hold in ambient conditions of 21,2 ± 0,2 °C and 66 ± 4% RH.  Longevity, daily and average ornamental values, floral opening rate, postharvest inflorescence development, fresh weight and membrane stability index were evaluated every three days until the wilting of the third flower from the base of the inflorescence. Holding solutions with or without calcium obtained similar results in all variables, with differences only with the use of distilled water. Use of calcium in holding solution was not efficient to increase longevity or improve quality of gladiolus cut inflorescences.