Control of Postharvest Performance of the Lilacs ‘Andenken an Ludwig Spaeth’ Induced to Flower in Spring

Ewa Skutnik (), Aleksandra Łukaszewska, Diana Musiał, Agnieszka Zawadzińska, Piotr Salachna and Julita Rabiza-Świder
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Ewa Skutnik: Section of Ornamental Plants, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Aleksandra Łukaszewska: Section of Ornamental Plants, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Diana Musiał: Section of Ornamental Plants, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Agnieszka Zawadzińska: Department of Horticulture, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Słowackiego 17 Str., 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
Piotr Salachna: Department of Horticulture, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Słowackiego 17 Str., 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
Julita Rabiza-Świder: Section of Ornamental Plants, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-18

Abstract: Common lilac ( Syringa vulgaris ) is an important cut flower on the flower market. The process of forcing shrub is crucial for lilac availability for floristry for six months of the year: from November to April. In this study, the vase life and certain biochemical processes occurring during senescence of cut lilacs ‘Andenken an Ludwig Spaeth’ induced to flower between March and May were investigated. Additionally, the effect of standard preservative (8-HQC + 2% S) and biocide (8-HQC) was analyzed. The vase life in water was relatively short (4 d), although it lengthened with the season and the standard preservative improved it. This solution enhanced florets’ fresh weight, water uptake, and transpiration rate, also caused an increase in the electroconductivity of the cell sap. Several other senescence-associated parameters such as carbohydrate, soluble protein and free proline contents were affected by the preservative whose effects were comparable to those found earlier in the winter forced lilacs. A highly efficient antioxidant enzyme system including catalase (CAT), peroxidases (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was present in developing inflorescences but the enzyme activity decreased in senescing florets. The hydrogen peroxide content and catalase activity were the highest in the biocide-treated flowers. Generally, in cut lilacs induced to bloom in April the changes in senescence-associated phenomena under study were occurring as in the flowers forced for November–December sales. Research shows the significant importance of sugar as a component of the cut flower preservatives whose use was essential for a proper bud development and good postharvest quality of cut lilacs.

Keywords: biocide; catalase; cut common lilac; hydrogen peroxide; peroxidases; sugars; superoxide dismutase (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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