Manejo pós-colheita de Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum (Zingiberaceae)

Abstract

The growth of ornamental plant market in Brazil is remarkable nowadays with strong participation of Northeast region, particularly in Alagoas State on the commercialization of tropical flowers. Taking into account this economic aspect, it is of great importance for the productive chain of ornamental species the study of aspects of post harvest activities. Alpinia purpurata (Viell) K. Schum (Zingiberaceae) which occupies the second place in economic importance amongst tropical flowers. It is the main flower for growing and harvesting. The main objective of this research programme is to study the different aspects of Alpinia post-harvesting: (1) time of harvesting and cut of the basis of the stems, and (2) the use of solutions of pulsing ; and/or maintenance of the floral stem by using: (2.1.) biocide compounds and pH of the solution; (2.2) carbohydrates and carbohydrates plus biocides; (2.3) anti-ethylene compounds and antiethylene compounds plus carbohydrates; (2.4) elements as calcium and silicon; and (2.5) senescence retarding growth regulators. It was evaluated the influence of these factors in the water relations, quality and longevity of the stems. Six experiments were carried out in the laboratory (CECA) of the Federal University of Alagoas. In the first experiment, the stems were harvested in three different times and they were cut periodically on their basis. In the second experiment different biocide substances were tested (8- hydroxyquinoline sulphate, aluminum sulphate, salicilic acid and sodium hipocloride) associated to pH variation of the maintenance solution. In the third experiment the stems received sucrose solutions pulsing from 2 to 20% for 12, 24 and 48 hours, following by maintenance in distilled water or in solution of 8- hidroxikinolin (HQS). The fourth experiment comprised three times of exposition (30, 60 and 120 min) with STS 1mM following by the presence or absence of pulsing in sucrose 20% for 12 hours. In the fifth experiment it was evaluated the effect of the addition of Ca (calcium sulphate 50 and 100mM), Si (sodium silicate 1,25 and 2,50 mM) and Ca+Si in maintenance solution. In the sixth experiment the stems were submitted to gibberellins, solutions (GA3), 10, 30 and 60 μm and cytokinin (benzyladenine 6-BA), 10, 20 and 100μm in 24 hours pulsing under continuous light. In all experiments the fresh biomass and the quality (scale of values) of the stems were determined daily or every two days until the end of the experiment. The amount of water was also determined for the floral bracts and dry biomass. The experiments were analised by completely randomized design and the data submitted to the variance analysis, test of averages and , when necessary, to the regression analysis. It was observed that the stems harvested at the end of the afternoon had shown greater commercial value; however, the regular cuts of the basis of the stems reduced their longevity. The use of HQS provided greater durability and humidity of the stems. On the other hand the other biocides did not improve the quality when compared to the control. The reduction of the pH by using citric acid did not interfere with the studied parameters. The use of sucrose in pulsing was only effective when the stems had been kept in distilled water. In this case the concentration sucrose of 20% for 12 hours showed better results. Silver thiosulphate when in pulsing for 30 minutes produced an increase of water contents and for 60 minutes or plus, or when addition of sucrose, caused dehydration of the stems. The only use of calcium sulphate or in association with sodium silicate in maintenance solution caused high improvement of the quality of the stems in comparison to the control and sodium silicate treatment. The use of cytokinin and gibberellins even considering it improved the water contents of the stems did not affect the commercial durability of them.