Pre and postharvest treatments to reduce the chilling injury in Lilium stems

Objective: To increase cold tolerance in floral stems of Lilium sp. 'Indian Summerset' stored for two and four weeks using pre- and postharvest treatments. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the first phase, ascorbic acid (AA; 4 mM), glycine betaine (GB; 100 mM), and distilled water (T) were applied, and pre-conditioning was carried out at 0 ºC for 24 h, then the steems were stored (6 ºC; 85% RH). In the second phase, pulse solutions of AA, GB, or T were applied for 24 h after harvest and stored (7 °C; 92 % RH) for two weeks. The variables evaluated were: fresh weight, solution absorption, foliage yellowing, floral opening, flower color, and vase life (VL). Results: Cold storage causes leaves yellowing, deformation, flower color fading, and reduces VL. Findings/Conclusions: Preharvest treatments did not have a significant effect on cold tolerance. In the second phase, the AA pulse solution delayed floral opening and maintained the flowers color, while GB only reduced the leaves yellowing.