Extending the Postharvest Life of Calathea lancifolia (Rattle snake Plant) Cut Leaves Using 1- Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)

Abstract

Calathea lancifolia is a cut foliage species that is regularly exported from Sri Lanka. However, early wilting and rolling of leaves are the prominent postharvest problems that are associated with Calathea which lead to shorten the vase life. These problems limit the export potential of this attractive species grown in Sri Lanka. 1-MethylcycIopropene (1- MCP) can be used to extend the shelf life of ornamentals by blocking the ethylene action. Thus present study was conducted to identify the effective concentration of 1-MCP on extending the postharvest life of C. lancifolia cut leaves. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD), composed of two factors with three replicates; 1- MCP concentration at four levels (5 0 ,1 0 0 ,1 5 0 and 200 ppb) and period of exposing at two levels (6 and 12 hours) in a hermetically sealed plastic buckets (20 L) at 2 8 0 C. Afterwards, the treated and untreated cut leaves were dipped in a glass filled with distilled water and stored in ambient temperature (28 °C, 70% RH). Each treatment consisted of 3 replicates, five leaves per replication. Cut leaves of C. lancifolia treated with 5 0 ,1 0 0 ,1 5 0 and 200 ppb of 1- MCP gas in 12 hours extended the vase life compared to 6 hours and untreated control. Leaf wilting, leaf yellowing and leaf rolling were recorded to assess the quality of the leaves. The cut leaves treated with 1- MCP at ^concentration of 200 ppb in 12 hours showed 10 days of vase life with acceptable export quality. However there was no significant difference between 200 ppb and 150 ppb of 1-MCP concentrations when qualitative traits are considered. Therefore, 150 ppb of 1-MCP concentration can be considered the cost effective among the concentrations that were experimented.