2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Anthurium is one of the most important ornamental crops in the worldwide cut-flower market. Many varieties have exceptionally long vase-lives, however others that have highly marketable characteristic (e.g. brightly coloured, large or showy spathes) have short vase-lives (less than 15 days). In this study we investigated the impact of light quality and quantity on vase-life and cut-flower condition. In particular, we use hyperspectral reflectance to track changes in cut-flower condition overtime. For all experimental work, cut-flowers of anthuriums were collected and transferred to an environmentally controlled room (12 hour photoperiod, 75 % RH, 22 ⁰C) under three light regimes: fluorescent light (40 µmol/m²/s), low Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) (40 µmol/m²/s ) and high PAR (400 µmol/m²/s). The link between light quality/quantity and vase-life was investigated for two anthurium cultivars classified as short-lived (Spirit) and long-lived (Honduras) based on length of vase-life determined from previous studies. Degradation, water uptake and hyperspectral reflectance were measured three times a week. Spadix necrosis was used to monitor cut-flower degradation over time and to determine the end of vase-life for each cultivar. Light regime had a significant impact on vase-life and water uptake in Honduras but not in Spirt. Water uptake rate was higher for Spirit whilst Honduras maintained a moderate and steady water uptake rate over time, particularly under high PAR. The reflectance spectrums obtained were as expected for pink (Spirit) and red (Honduras) spathes. Differences in the reflectance spectrums over time included consistent changes in the ‘red dip ratio’ (R670nm/R690nm). Both cultivars demonstrated a decline in red dip ratio over time. The decline for Honduras varied depending on light regime, with high PAR taking the longest time to decline. The results illustrate that extension of vase-life under high light intensity is cultivar dependent.