Abstract

The quality of chrysanthemum cuttings is influenced by ethylene. During postharvest storage, ethylene accelerates the quality loss of cutting by enhancing chlorophyll degradation. Application of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) or Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) can be used as an approach to inhibit unfavourable ethylene effects. The objective of this study was to find out the effect of a combination of 1-MCP or BAP and storage period on the quality of chrysanthemum cuttings. The experiments were arranged using a completely randomized design consisting of nine treatments. The cuttings were treated with 1-MCP 700 nL/L or BAP 2.5 mg/l. After treatment, they were stored for 0, 3 and 7 days, then the cuttings were rooted in soilless culture for four weeks. The results showed that 1-MCP or BAP maintained leaf freshness and inhibited chlorophyll degradation on cuttings at 3 and 7 days of storage period. However, the application of 1-MCP slightly inhibited root growth compared to that of untreated cuttings. Interestingly, the application of BAP effectively reduced the cuttings damage for seven days and did not cause the inhibition of root growth (weight of fresh root, root number, root length and root volume) that was comparable to that of untreated cuttings. These results collectively showed that BAP was more effective than 1-MCP in maintaining rooting quality of chrysanthemum cuttings.