ABSTRACT The characterization of cut flowers plays a significant role in detecting senescence signals, which are essential for establishing quality parameters and guiding the development of postharvest technologies. This study aimed to morphologically characterize Red Torch Ginger inflorescences at three harvest points: fully closed, semi-open, and fully open. The inflorescences were standardized at 60 cm, and their width, length, diameter, and fresh weight were measured. Inflorescences were evaluated for visual senescence, wettability, natural wax content, and fluid behavior. Dominant color, gloss, and texture were analyzed using GroundEye. Morphological differences affected the postharvest durability of Red Torch Ginger, with fully open inflorescences being less durable than semi-open and fully closed ones. Hydrophobicity, high-fluid movement, and natural wax content were crucial for decision-making regarding the application of new postharvest technologies and coatings in cut tropical flowers. These findings provide insights into the characterization of cut flowers and their postharvest behavior, which can help improve quality and extend the shelf life of cut flowers, leading to increased economic benefits for the flower industry. signals points semiopen, semiopen semi open, 6 cm width length diameter measured wettability behavior color gloss GroundEye ones Hydrophobicity highfluid high movement decisionmaking decision making industry

Resumo Soluções de pulsing com sacarose são utilizadas para hidratar e manter o turgor de hastes florais, influenciando processos respiratórios, suplementando açúcares naturais e reduzindo a transpiração. Além disso, o pulsing com sacarose pode impactar a fisiologia das hastes florais, alterando o metabolismo, a qualidade pós-colheita e a durabilidade. No entanto, esses efeitos são desconhecidos para muitas espécies tropicais. O objetivo foi elucidar os efeitos fisiológicos e bioquímicos do pulsing de inflorescências de gengibre-tocha com diferentes concentrações de sacarose após a colheita. Para isso, hastes florais de gengibre-tocha foram coletadas e imersas em soluções de sacarose com concentrações de 15%, 20% e 25% por 24 horas. Após esse período, as hastes foram transferidas para água, e a cada 3 dias, avaliações foram feitas para qualidade visual, porcentagem de flores verdadeiras, taxa de absorção, conteúdo de água, massa fresca e seca, e parâmetros colorimétricos. A ativação do sistema antioxidante e a medição do conteúdo de macromoléculas também foram realizadas. O pulsing com 20% e 25% de sacarose acelerou o surgimento de flores verdadeiras, além de aumentar a taxa de absorção e os valores de massa fresca das hastes. Nessas concentrações, também foi observado um aumento na peroxidação lipídica. Não foi notada a expressão de SOD ou CAT, mas o pulsing levou ao aumento das reservas de proteínas e açúcares. Recomenda-se o pulsing com 15% de sacarose para gengibre-tocha, a fim de manter uma maior qualidade visual até o 9º dia após a colheita. respiratórios transpiração disso metabolismo póscolheita pós colheita durabilidade entanto tropicais gengibretocha gengibre tocha isso 15 20 25 2 horas período água dias verdadeiras seca colorimétricos realizadas lipídica CAT Recomendase Recomenda se gengibretocha, tocha, º 1

Abstract Sucrose pulsing solutions are employed for hydrating and maintaining the turgor of flower stems by influencing respiratory processes, supplementing natural sugars, and reducing transpiration. Additionally, sucrose pulsing can impact the physiology of flower stems, altering metabolism, postharvest quality, and durability. However, these effects are unknown for many tropical species. The objective was to elucidate the physiological and biochemical effects of pulsing torch ginger inflorescences with varying sucrose concentrations postharvest. To achieve this, floral stems of torch ginger were collected and immersed in sucrose solutions with concentrations of 15%, 20%, and 25% for 24 hours. Following this period, the stems were transferred to water, and every 3 days, assessments were made for visual quality, the percentage of true flowers, absorption rate, water content, fresh and dry mass, and colorimetric parameters. The activation of the antioxidant system and measurement of macromolecule content were also conducted. Pulsing with 20% and 25% sucrose accelerated the emergence of true flowers, in addition to increasing the absorption rate and fresh mass values of the stems. At these concentrations, an increase in lipid peroxidation was also observed. No SOD or CAT expression was noted, but pulsing led to increased reserves of proteins and sugars. Pulsing with 15% sucrose is recommended for torch ginger to maintain higher visual quality up to the 9th day after harvest. processes sugars transpiration Additionally metabolism durability However species 15 20 25 2 hours period days flowers parameters conducted observed noted th harvest 1

ABSTRACT Dry conditioning and sucrose pulsing are techniques used to improve the durability of flower stems. Dry conditioning helps to balance the osmotic potential of the flower stems and can be applied after harvest and transportation. The objective was to evaluate how different dry conditioning times followed by sucrose pulsing may affect the postharvest quality, durability, and physiological aspects of torch ginger flower stems. For this purpose, flower stems were collected and submitted to dry conditioning for different periods: 0-h, 3-h, 6-h, 12-h, and 24-h. Every 3 days, visual quality, percentage of true flowers, absorption rate, water content, fresh and dry weights, and colorimetric parameters were evaluated. The concentration of pigments, biochemistry of the antioxidant system, and macromolecules were analyzed. Dry conditioning for more than 12-h is not recommended as it leads to a loss of quality and durability in torch ginger flower stems and accelerates senescence. The absorption rate decreases and pigments break down after this period, while H2O2 and lipid peroxidation concentrations increase. Furthermore, sugar and protein reserves are consumed during senescence. It is recommended to hydrate harvested stems immediately to avoid the negative effects of dry conditioning on postharvest quality and durability. transportation purpose periods 0h, 0h h 0 h, 0-h 3h, 3h 3-h 6h, 6h 6 6-h 12h, 12h 12 24h. 24h 24 h. 24-h days flowers content weights evaluated system analyzed senescence period HO H O H2O increase Furthermore 1 2

RESUMO Diferentes produtos foram testados para aumentar a durabilidade de flores de corte após a colheita, como filmes biodegradáveis. Estes produtos têm sido utilizados em frutas desde que a aplicação na superfície proporciona a modificação da atmosfera ao seu redor. Embora, não haja informações sobre o uso desses produtos para flores. O objetivo foi avaliar a eficácia de filmes de amido de mandioca como produto pós-colheita para inflorescências de Red Torch Ginger. No primeiro experimento foram testadas diferentes concentrações de amido na solução e no segundo experimento foram avaliadas concentrações de amido com plastificantes e adjuvantes. A aplicação do filme biodegradável em hastes de bastão-do-imperador atuou como uma barreira aos gases, como observado pela sua taxa de absorção de água e a manutenção do peso fresco, mantendo a qualidade pós-colheita até o Dia 6. A qualidade visual foi melhor nas inflorescências tratadas com 6% de amido e nos filmes sem aditivos. O uso de filmes com 6% de amido levou a menores teores de peróxido de hidrogênio e peroxidação lipídica e maiores teores de macromoléculas de metabolismo primário até o Dia 6, retardando a senescência e aumentando a durabilidade pós-colheita. A adição do plastificante glicerol às diferentes concentrações de filme melhorou as características de resistência do filme. Assim, recomenda-se o uso de filmes à base de amido de mandioca na concentração de 6%. O uso do adjuvante não é essencial, pois alterou as características do filme, deixando-o menos transparente e mais viscoso, dificultando a secagem. colheita biodegradáveis redor Embora póscolheita pós Ginger adjuvantes bastãodoimperador bastão imperador gases fresco 6 aditivos póscolheita. colheita. Assim recomendase recomenda se essencial deixandoo deixando viscoso secagem

ABSTRACT Different products have been tested to increase the vase life of cut flowers after harvest such as the biodegradable films. These products have been used in fruits since the application on the surface may provide the modification of the atmosphere around it, although, there is no information for flowers. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of cassava starch films as a postharvest product for Red Torch Ginger inflorescences. On the first experiment, different starch concentrations in the solution were tested and in the second experiment starch, concentrations with plasticizers and adjuvants were evaluated. The application of the biodegradable film in Red Torch stems acted as a barrier to the gases, as observed by their water absorption rate and the maintenance of fresh weight, maintaining postharvest quality up to Day 6. The visual quality was better in the inflorescences treated with 6% starch and in the films without additives. The use of 6% starch films led to lower contents of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation and higher levels of primary-metabolism macromolecules up to Day 6, delaying senescence and increasing postharvest durability. The addition of glycerol plasticizer to the different film concentrations improved the film resistance characteristics. It is recommended the use of films based on cassava starch at a concentration of 6%. The use of the adjuvant is not essential since it changed the film’s characteristics, leaving it less transparent and more viscous, hindering drying. although evaluated gases weight 6 additives primarymetabolism primary metabolism durability characteristics s viscous drying

Resumo A azaleia (Rhododendron simsii Planch.) é uma planta ornamental originária da China, propagada comercialmente por estacas e muito cultivada no Brasil devido à beleza de suas flores. No entanto, apresenta dificuldades no enraizamento, o que pode provocar uma redução na produção comercial dessas mudas. Dessa forma, é necessária a aplicação de fitorreguladores para alcançar o sucesso do enraizamento, bem como a utilização de nutrientes que estejam envolvidos nos processos bioquímicos e fisiológicos das plantas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência do ácido indolbutírico (AIB) e do boro no enraizamento de estacas herbáceas das cultivares de azaleia Otto e Terra Nova. Os experimentos foram realizados em uma propriedade particular especializada na produção de azaleias em vasos, localizada em Holambra/SP, e as avaliações foram realizadas no Laboratório de Sementes e Plantas Hortícolas do Departamento de Produção Vegetal, da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), em Jaboticabal/SP. O delineamento experimental, para cada experimento com cada cultivar, foi o inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial 4x4 (concentrações de AIB x concentrações de boro) com quatro repetições e 10 estacas por repetição. A avaliação foi realizada seis semanas após o estaqueamento. Concluiu-se que a auxina e o boro não influenciaram na porcentagem de enraizamento das estacas para ambos as cultivares. No entanto, a cultivar Otto apresentou um sistema radicular de melhor qualidade quando as estacas foram tratadas com 2.000 mg L−1 de AIB na ausência de boro.

Abstract Azalea (Rhododendron simsii Planch.) is an ornamental plant native to China, propagated commercially by cuttings and cultivated in Brazil due to the beauty of its flowers. However, it presents rooting difficulties, which can lead to a reduction in the commercial production of these seedlings. Thus, the application of plant regulators is necessary to achieve rooting success as well as of nutrients that are involved in biochemical and physiological plant processes. This work aimed to evaluate the rooting performance of Otto and Terra Nova azalea herbaceous cuttings treated with indolebutyric acid (IBA) and boron. The experiments were conducted at a private property specialized in the production of potted azalea, located in Holambra County, São Paulo State, Brazil, and the evaluations were carried out at the Plant Seed Laboratory of the Crop Production Department, São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal. The experimental design for each experiment with each cultivar was completely randomized. The treatments were arranged in a 4x4 factorial scheme (IBA concentrations x boron concentrations) with four replications and 10 cuttings per replication. The evaluation was performed six weeks after experiment beginning. Auxin and boron did not influence rooting percentage of cuttings of both cultivars. However, Otto cultivar presented a better-quality root system when cuttings were treated with 2,000 mg L−1 IBA in the absence of boron.