Ethylene-sensitive Abscission Layer Formation and Petal Senescence in Cut Dahlia Inflorescences

Cut dahlia (Dahlia Cav.) flowers have recently become popular in Japan, but their marketability is limited by poor vase life. During the postharvest period, senescence of petals initiates from outermost whorl and then proceeds into inner petals. We found that drawing resistances ‘Kokuchou’, ‘Nesshou’, ‘Saisetsu’ decreases with time because gradually detach ovaries. A reduction resistance occurred prior to end Exogenous ethylene treatment cut inflorescences accelerated decline petal thus shortened Ethylene production individual florets began before or on day harvest. Simultaneously, abscission layers developed at petal-ovary boundaries florets. The without ovaries, which did not form layer, had a longer life than Furthermore, we observed marked rise sugar contents ovaries compared those when maintained 2% fructose. These results indicate ethylene-promoted layer development directs course senescence, characterized wilting discoloration due blocking water flow carbohydrates