Responses of native Australian cut flowers to treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene and ethylene

Postharvest longevity of some cut flowers is shortened by exposure to ethyl ene gas. Adverse effects of ethylene may be prevented by treatment with 1-m ethylcyclopropene (1-MCP) gas. Responses of 14 different native Australian cut powers to 1-MCP and ethylene applied at concentrations of 10 nL.L-1 and 10 mu L.L-1, respectively, were examined. Each gas was applied alone for 1 2 hours at 20 degrees C and they were also applied in series. Vase lives of Ceratopetalum gummiferum, Chamelaucium uncinatum, Grevillea 'Kay Williams' and 'Misty Pink', Leptospermum petersonii, Telopea 'Shady Lady', and Verti cordia nitens were reduced by ethylene treatment. Treatment with 1-MCP gene rally protected these cut flowers against subsequent exposure to ethylene. The 1-MCP treatment usually did not extend their vase lives in the absence of exogenous ethylene.