EXTENSION OF VASE LIFE IN CUT ORCHIDS

Extension Of Vase Life In Cut Orchids Using Ozonated Water And 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)



Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

Abstract

Orchids belong to Orchidaceae family which can be found from the snowy wastes of northern Canada and Siberia to the deserts of the Sahara. From savannahs to tropical forests, no habitat on the globe is without its successfully established orchids. However, cool, moist mountain valleys of South America are considered their richest habitats for orchids . Orchidaceae is one of the largest families which has about 800 genera with 25,000-30,000 species. In addition, there are over 100,000 manmade hybrids. There are several main characteristics that a flower must bear to be called an orchid . They are: 1. Zygomorphic flower: Botanically, all flowers are divided into two major groups, regular and irregular. A regular flower, such as the tulip or Easter lily, is symmetrical and can be cut in any plane to divide it into two equal halves. An irregular flower, such as the Canna or Maranta, has segments that are different and thus dividing it in any plane will not produce equal halves. The orchid flower is a special type of irregular flower in that it can be cut in one plane, and one plane only, to produce two equal halves. This type of irregular flower is called zygomorphic, as it has bilateral symmetry.

Orchids are easily distinguished from other plants, as they share some very evident apomorphies. Among these are: bilateral symmetry (zygomorphism), many resupinate flowers, a nearly always highly modified petal (labellum), fused stamens and carpels, and extremely small seeds. Study on cut orchids levels of sensitivity to ethylene is not well deliberated in UK. Furthermore, the use of 1-MCP and especially ozone to control the effects of ethylene and microbial growth, respectively are still not well documented on locally grown Dendrobium and Mokara orchids. This study was carried with the general objective of to investigate the efficacy of aqueous ozone and 1-MCP in prolonging the postharvest life of cut orchids. To evaluate the ethylene sensitivities of different hybrids of Dendrobrium and Mokara cut orchids. Subsequently, the hybrids will be group based on their sensitivities. To look at the effects of 1-MCP on the ethylene sensitivities of the selected hybrids. To study the responses of the various groups of hybrids to an anti-ethylene, 1-MCP and anti-microbe, aqueous ozone.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Literature Review Chapter 3: To determine the level of ethylene sensitivity of 12 cut orchid flowers

Chapter 4: To investigate the effect of 1-MCP on the controlling of ethylene sensitivity in the sensitive cut orchid flowers

Chapter 5: Using 1-MCP and aqueous ozone for improving the Vase life Of cut orchid flowers

Chapter 6: Conclusion and Recommendations

Chapter One: Introduction

ORCHIDS, the most beautiful flowers in god's creation, comprise a unique group of ...