| Experiments with ethylene inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene on the shipment of Chamelaucium flowers from Australia to the UK has demonstrated the efficiency of this non-toxic synthetic gas. Fumigation of flower bunches prior to boxing and transport proved to be very effective in reducing ethylene induced flower and bud drop during export handling. A positive effects of a different application method of 1-MCP (sustained release) was found to reduce flower drop for a further 3 days at 20°c after export. In this method, a tapped PVC tube containing the gas is placed in the flower boxes. Further refinements of this method regarding quantity of the gas inserted into the tube and rate of its release during transport needs further trialing. At all events 1-MCP was found more effective in post-harvest treatment of Chamelaucium that STS (silver thiosulphate). Andrew Macnish, “Floraculture International” June 2005 www.floracultureintl.com |
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