LATE-SEASON APPLICATIONS OF MEDIA SURFACTANT IMPROVE WATER RETENTION AND TIME TO WILT DURING POSTPRODUCTION
Authors:
J.B. Million, J.E. Barrett, T.A. Nell
ISHS Acta Horticulturae 543: VII International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants
Abstract:
Several trials were conducted to compare the efficacy of preplant media surfactant
treatments with treatment applications made at the end of production on wilting
and water retention of potted plants in postproduction. Media pretreatment
with PsiMatric (Aquatrols, NJ) at 116 mL.m-3 (3 fl. oz.yd-3) had no effect
on wilting or water retention of Impatiens wallerana (10-cm pots) or Dendranthema
grandiflora (13-cm pots) in postproduction. A 600 ppm PsiMatric drench applied
one day before shipping delayed postproduction wilting of impatiens 33% (3.6
vs. 2.7 day) and increased water retention 129% (172 vs. 75 mL/pot). The same
treatment delayed wilting of chrysanthemum 64% (8.7 vs. 5.3 day) and increased
water retention 230% (199 vs. 60 mL/pot). A 1200 ppm drench applied one week
before shipping was required to achieve the same effect as a 600 ppm drench
applied one day before shipping. Daily applications of 150 ppm PsiMatric in
irrigation water during the last week of production were as effective as a
600 ppm drench applied one day before shipping in delaying wilt and increasing
water retention after wilt for Petunia hybrida (10-cm pots).