Effect of mild vacuum packaging on cut Matthiola incana L. flowers vase life

Mild vacuum (MV) packaging was compared with conventional cold wet storage on cut stock (Matthiola incana L.). The cut stock flowers were selected and cut to 50 cm and stored in water (wet storage) or placed in plastic bags under MV at 4 °C for six days. The effect of storage was compared with non-stored cut flowers. The postharvest quality of cut flowers was evaluated by monitoring vase life, water uptake, alcohol dehydrogenase activity (ADH), ethylene production, total chlorophyll and SPAD measurements. The MV packaging allowed storing the stock flowers for three days, without any visible injury and with a vase life of about 7 – 8 days. MV storage caused an accumulation of ethylene and CO2 in bags, 919.9 pl ml-1 and 21382 μl l-1, respectively. Only flowers stored for 6 days in mild vacuum showed quality reduction. The leaves appeared dehydrated; with local transparencies of cuticles and a green-gray colour. The ADH was higher in open flowers (2.9 nmol mg-1 protein min-1) compared with other organs in MV storage method, and the highest concentration was recorded after 6 days storage. At the end of vase life stock flowers wet stored showed a greater production of ethylene (0.75 nl h-1 g-1 FW) then MV (0.3 nl h-1 g-1 FW). The MV system can be used in M. incana if storage or transportation is limited to three days.