Plant-Based Hydrating Solutions for Extending Vase Life and Postharvest Quality of Chrysanthemum (Dendrathema x grandiflorum)

Riza D. Meperanum^1*, Mark Al-jamie J. Muttulani², Lorelyn Joy N. Turnos-Milagrosa²

¹Graduate School, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines

²Department of Crop Science, Division of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines.

Corresponding Author E-mail:rdmeperanum@usm.edu.ph

Abstract:

This study investigated acid-plant based hydrating solutions for enhanced vase-life of chrysanthemum as an alternative to chemical hydrating solutions. It was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with six treatments (control- water, coconut vinegar, sugar cane vinegar, apple cider, banana vinegar and calamondin with all dilution rate of 10ml/L of water replicated three times and conducted at Postharvest laboratory, Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture, University of Southern Mindanao during August- September. Among the alternative hydrating solutions evaluated, calamondin extract and sugarcane vinegar significantly delay the deterioration processes of chrysanthemum cut flowers and obtained the best results in terms of attaining longer marketable features and slowing down the high percentage of discoloration, wilting, neck bending and weight loss parameters at 9 to 10 days vase-life storage. With these findings, the calamondin extract and sugar cane vinegar as acid plant based diluted solutions can be recommended as alternative hydrating solutions that can prolong the vase-life of chrysanthemum cut flowers. Moreover, the outcome of this study is to use less expensive, safe, and eco-friendly hydrating solutions in preserving the vase-life and postharvest quality of chrysanthemum cut flowers.

Keywords:

Acid-based hydrating solutions; Chrysanthemum cut flower; Postharvest Quality; Vase life parameters; Vase life evaluation

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