Estimation of cut butcher’s broom (Danae racemosa (L.) Moench) foliage vase life through the measurement of leaf functionality

Cut foliages are ornamental items with a vase life longer compared to cut flowers and a storage period that can be extended for up to two months. The aim of this work was to develop a model of prediction for the estimation of butcher's broom (Danae racemosa (L.) Moench) foliage vase life based on chlorophyll a fluorescence measurement. After harvest, the cut foliage was first stored at 4 or 10°C for 28 days and after storage, it was transferred to 20°C in a controlled environment for vase life evaluation. The chlorophyll a fluorescence was monitored during vase life and the induction curve was used for performing the JIP test. The average vase life of cut butcher's broom at room temperature was 34 days and declined to 27-28 days without differences between 4 and 10°C after two weeks of storage. The JIP test derived indexed were correlated with the vase life of cut butcher's broom branches and were used for estimating the vase life. Among the chlorophyll a fluorescence-based indexes evaluated, the performance index (PI) was selected, as it showed a progressive decrement which was the positively correlated with the vase life of cut foliage. The PI gives an indication on the vitality of the leaf and its functionality. Generally, leaf senescence or stressful conditions can induce a reduction of the PI. The linear regression coefficient between PI and vase life was 0.75 for cut branches stored. For these reasons, PI could be used as a tool for quality evaluation and vase life estimation in the cut foliage industry and distribution chain