Effect of drought and prolonged refrigeration on senescence in cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Severe water stress (40 and 50 h without water at 23°C) and long periods of refrigeration (4 and 5 weeks at 0°C) caused the peak of ethylene production by cut carnation flowers to appear soon after the return to normal conditions. Water stress caused a decrease in ψosm, but this increased back to the initial value on return to normal conditions. Accelerated wilting and massive ion leakage, probably a result of the Joss of membrane integrity, was associated with this premature burst of ethylene. Large amounts of acetaldehyde and ethanol accumulated during prolonged refrigeration (3, 4 or 5 weeks at 0°C). This accumulation of toxic metabolites may explain why the refrigeration of cut flowers for long periods causes a rapid wilting on return to normal conditions.