Jun Song, Lihua Fan, AAFC Kentville
Product quality is critical to the success of an ornamental horticulture grower. Dr. Jun Song with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada took a hard look at pre-and post-harvest treatments such as 1-methylcyclopropene as a means to successfully extend the shelf life of cut flowers. Results clearly demonstrated that treatment of 1-methylcyclopropene significantly delayed the senescence of cut flowers, especially for carnation, rose and gerbera. Antimicrobial agents were also evaluated and showed the potential to reduce the microbial population in stalk solution.