Effects of Deflowering and Defoliating on the Postharvest Characteristics of Individual Organs in Cut Dahlias

Cut dahlia (Dahlia Cav.) flowers have recently become popular, but their marketability has been limited due to poor vase life. The purposes of this study were clarify the roles leaves and inflorescences in senescence cut dahlias discuss sink-source relationship between vegetative organs inflorescences. leaf life was maintained much longer (16.7 days) than inflorescence (7.4 days). not affected by removal leaves, while prolonged (19.6 Sucrose, glucose, fructose small quantities myo-inositol detected florets, addition these sugars, nystose 1-kestose stems leaves. Total sugar levels middle florets (14.5 mg·g−1 FW on day 0) declined rapidly before senescence. (20.5 (19.0–22.5 also decreased gradually during postharvest period, more slowly deflowered stems. Sugar leakage from stem bases into water occurred initial few days. Removal increased significantly promoted callus formation base. From results, is considered be a strong sink for carbohydrates, serve as source organs. Heat girdling applied flower necks petioles, concentrations bases, thus resulting higher formation, although both heat treatments shortened sharp decrease an insufficient supply are responsible short dahlias. It suggested that effects might partly blockage flows petals through abscission layer development petal-ovary boundaries. Based we illustrate senescing process relation dynamism.