Postharvest handling of cut immature Eucalyptus foliage

Abstract

Optimum postharvest and storage treatments were investigated for cut immature branches of Eucalyptus crenulata Blakely & Beuzev. and Eucalyptus gunnii J. D. Hook. The application of the germicide BCDMH at 10 mg/L of active chlorine, 100 ¦L Agral-600/L. or 0.25% sucrose to vase solutions significantly enhanced vase life in E. crenulata Longevity in E. gunnii was significantly extended by sucrose (0.25-2% w/v), but not by germicides or Agral. Sucrose pulses (1-10% for 24 11 at 20¦C) or exogenous ethylene (50 ¦L/L for 24 h at 20¦C) had no effect on the longevity of either species. Both species produced very low levels of ethylene immediately after harvest and after a 24-h simulation of dry transport at 20¦C. Longevity was not significantly altered in either species by 35 days of dry storage at 1¦C. or by 7 days of wet storage (branches held in distilled water + 50 mg DICAJL) at 1¦C, but declined significantly in both species after 7 days of wet storage at 10¦C.