PLANT-GROWTH REGULATORS REDUCE POSTPRODUCTION LEAF YELLOWING OF POTTED ASIFLORUM LILIES

The postharvest quality of potted Asiflorum lily 'Donau' (Lilium hybri d) was evaluated after plants were sprayed with 0, 50, 250, or 500 mg. L-1 (BA equivalent) of Promalin (GA(4+7) to BA ratio was 1:1) or Accel (GA(4+7) to BA ratio 1:10) and stored at 2 to 3 degrees C for 0, 10, or 20 days. As storage was prolonged, more lea ies senesced once plant s were removed for evaluation. Leaf senescence declined with increasin g concentrations of either Promalin or Accel, but Promalin was more ef fective. Application of 250 mg.L-1 Promalin completely eliminated leaf senescence over the 20-day shelf-life evaluation period, irrespective of duration of cold storage. The treatments did not affect flower bud opening or plant height. Chemical names used: gibberellin (GA(4+7)); benzyladenine (BA).