Title: Postharvest technologies for extending the shelf life of ornamental crops

Authors: Margrethe Serek, E.C. Sisler, S. Frello, S. Sriskandarajah

Addresses: Department of Horticulture, Institute of Floriculture, Tree Nursery Science and Plant Breeding, University of Hanover, Herrenhauser Str. 2, 30419 Hanover, Germany; Department of Agricultural Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Floriculture, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C., Denmark. ' Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC 27695, USA. ' Department of Agricultural Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Floriculture, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C., Denmark. ' Department of Agricultural Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Floriculture, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C., Denmark

Abstract: 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and other cyclopropenes block ethylene responses in plants at the receptor level. 1-MCP is commercially available under the trade name of EthylBloc® and SmartFresh™. It is very effective in blocking ethylene responses in a range of ornamental crops, fruits and vegetables. Some recently prepared 1-substituted cyclopropenes inactivate the receptor even for a longer time than 1-MCP. Control of function of the ethylene receptor can be achieved by using molecular techniques. Gubrium et al. (2000) has introduced the etr1-1 mutant gene under control of the constitutive promoter CaMV35S in petunia flowers for improvement of postharvest life. However, constitutive expression of etr1-1 caused unwanted effects, e.g., significant reduction of adventitious root formation. In our study with Campanula carpatica potted plants we used a flower specific promoter instead of 35S, and avoided such side effects. Horticultural performance and subsequent evaluation of the transgenic Campanula plants have been performed.

Keywords: cyclopropenes; ethylene inhibition; flower longevity; fruit ripening; postharvest quality; shelf life extension; postharvest technology; 1-Methylcyclopropene; 1-MCP; ornamental crops; fruits; vegetables; transgenic plants.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2006.009184

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2006 Vol.1 No.1, pp.69 - 75

Published online: 08 Mar 2006 *

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