1-MCP is effective in preventing the deleterious effects of ethylene in Tropaeolum majus

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the postharvest quality of nasturtium flowers (Tropaeolum majus), by evaluating the mass loss and anthocyanin content, of flowers harvested at four different stages of opening. For this, three experiments were performed: only 1-MCP, only ethylene, and 1-MCP combined with ethylene. In both experiments with 1-MCP and ethylene, the flowers were maintained for 24 h with different concentrations of the products. For ethylene, the concentrations used were 0.0; 0.1; 1; 10; 100 and 1000 ?L L-1 and for 1-MCP, we used concentrations of 0.0; 0.25; 0.5 and 0.75 ?L L-1. In the third experiment, the 1-MCP (0.75 ?L L-1) was applied for 24 h, then the flowers were exposed to ethylene (100 ?L L-1) for a further 24 h, and two controls, inside and outside the airtight chambers. The fourth stage showed the greatest weight loss in response to ethylene at the end of 96 hours of assessment in relation to other stages. Ethylene had greater effects on the flowers fully open. In all stages evaluated it was observed ?bend neck? effect in response to ethylene, which was inhibited when the flowers were treated with 1-MCP. The 1-MCP is effective in preventing the deleterious effects of ethylene, even in the presence of exogenous ethylene. The ethylene at a maximum rate influenced the anthocyanin content but 1-MCP did not, possibly due to greater dehydration of flowers, i.e., greater loss of fresh weight. ? SourcesAction of ethylene and 1-MCP on the quality of nasturtium flowersTania P. da Silva1, Fernanda F. de Araujo2, Renata L. Ursine1, Fernando L. Finger3 1Instituto de Ci?ncias Agr?rias, ICA, Universidade federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri,Avenida Vereador Jo?o Narciso, n?mero 40, 38610-000 Una?-Minas Gerais, Brazil 2Universidade Federal de Vi?osa, s/n, Departamento de Fisiologia Vegetal, 36570- 000 Vi?osa-Minas Gerais, Brazil 3Universidade Federal de Vi?osa, s/n, Departamento de Fitotecnia, 36570-000 Vi?osa-MG, BrazilVIII International Postharvest Symposium, Cartagena. Spain. 21-24 June 2016 Picture by urbanseedling.com