|
|
More news |
| Biotechnology for longer vase life in carnations | |
Premature inrolling (wilting) of the petals is a serious problem for carnations and can begin just a few days after the flowers are cut due to ethylene production - a natural plant hormone that triggers the aging process and leads to petal wilting. To ensure that the flowers have an acceptable shelf life, growers chemically treat carnations with a solution of silver thiosulfate (STS) or other chemicals which reduces the plant's sensitivity to ethylene. STS however is deliterious to the environment and increasingly undesirable. Florigene Long Vase Life (LVL) Gene Technology applied to carnations achieves the same result without the cost of chemical treatment or the environmental hazard. The LVL Gene Technology suppresses the particular gene responsible for producing ethylene (called the ACS gene). By turning off this gene, scientists have been able to extend the vase life of carnations while avoiding the use of ecologically undesirable chemicals. Market availability of the first 20 commercial LVL carnation varieties is very close and Florigene has recently secured important agreements with two prominent international carnation breeders. The agreements provide Florigene scientists with access to a wide range of commercial flower varieties as well as the expertise and support of successful conventional breeders. For further information, E-mail: florigene@florigene.com.au www.florigene.com.au |
|