Longevity and Quality of Heliconia psittacorum × H.

spathocircinata
‘Golden Torch’ Treated with 8-Hydroxyquinoline Citrate
S.O. Souza1, S.C.C. Sousa1, M.A.C. Lima2, A.H. Oliveira3,
J.G. Barbosa1 and F.L. Finger1
1
UFV/Department of Plant Science, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
2
Embrapa Semiarid, Laboratory of Postharvest Physiology, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
3
Embrapa Food Agroindustry, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Keywords: vase life, conservation, cut flower, water uptake

Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC)
on the quality and longevity of heliconia ‘Golden Torch’ inflorescences stored at
23.9±1.8°C and 51±9% RH. The treatments consisted of 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1
8-HQC, evaluated at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days after harvest. The inflorescences were
pulsed with 8-HQC for 18 h and subsequently transferred to flasks with distilled
water. At every two days, floral appearance, fresh mass, flower opening, chroma and
lightness were determined. The floral appearance was influenced by storage time
and by the treatment with 8-HQC. However, the values of fresh weight, the flower
opening, lightness and chroma were affected only by the number of days in storage.
The fresh weight decreased by 1.6% from the first to eighth day after harvest. At the
end of the storage time, the inflorescences exhibited two open flowers at the start of
expansion. The lightness value increased by 3.4%, while the chroma decreased by
almost 4.9% in bracts during storage, indicating the passage of dark orange color to
light orange. The 8-HQC did not increase the vase life of inflorescences compared to
control. Based on the scale of appearance, the inflorescences treated with 300 mg L-1
of 8-HQC had superior vase life compared with the other treatments, within eight
days of evaluation.

INTRODUCTION
The production of cut flowers, especially heliconias, has been a segment of great
importance to the floriculture sector, due to the characteristics that they present, including
exotic beauty, durability, shapes and wide acceptance in foreign markets.
The Heliconia psittacorum × H. spathocircinata ‘Golden Torch’ has ample
potential for commercialization, but the farming practices and postharvest management
prevailing in the country, result in restricting the longevity and quality of the flowers, not
allowing to reach the most lucrative markets.
To increase the longevity of cut flowers, many treatments are used, by reducing
the rate of senescence and improving water relations of the cut stem. The use of pulsing
solutions, such as 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate may be a viable alternative for maintaining
the quality of the stems, controlling the growth of microorganisms in the vase solution,
acting as a reductant excellent in blocking the xylem vessels, and consequently
stimulating the flow of water through the basal section of the buds (Pietro et al., 2012).
Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 8-HQC in
longevity and quality of heliconias ‘Golden Torch’ stored at room temperature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The inflorescences of heliconia ‘Golden Torch’ were harvested with two bracts
expanded and one closed, from a commercial production area located in the city of
Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil (latitude 9°9’ South and longitude 40°29’ West, altitude to
365.5 m), in April 2008, in the morning (8:00 am). Then, the inflorescences were
transported to the Postharvest Physiology Laboratory at Embrapa Semiarid (Petrolina,
Pernambuco, Brazil), submitted to selection procedures, including the removal of leaves,
and standardization of stem length to 60 cm from the cut section to the region near the

Proc. Xth IS on Postharvest Quality of Ornamental Plants 187

Eds.: A.C.R. Castro et al.
Acta Hort. 1060, ISHS 2015
peduncle.
The inflorescences were maintained in solution with 8-HQC for 18 h, and
thereafter transferred to distilled water. The treatments consisted of 8-HQC doses (0, 100,
200 and 300 mg L-1) and the storage time (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days). Every 2 days the
inflorescences were evaluated; further cutouts in the base of the stems (2 cm) and
exchange of distilled water contained in containers.
During storage, the inflorescences were analyzed for fresh mass, water
consumption, floral opening, color of the bracts (by colorimeter - model ColorTec-
PCMTM) and visual appearance (by a subjective scale of grades 5-1, where 5 is attached
to the stem and/or turgid bract; 4, the start of color change the stem and/or husk; 3, loss of
stem turgidity and dried at the ends of bracts; 2, the small spots on the stem and/or bract;
1, necrosis and prominent staining in the stem and/or bract (Souza, 2008).
The experimental design was randomized blocks, factorial 4×5 (doses of 8-HQC ×
storage time), with four replicates of three stems per plot. Data were subjected to analysis
of variance and polynomial regression, performed by software Sisvar 4.0. The models
were chosen based on the biological significance of the variable, the coefficient of
determination and significance of regression coefficients, using the “t” test, 1 to 5%
probability.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The values of fresh weight, floral opening, lightness and chroma were influenced
only by the storage time (Fig. 1A, B and D), but the appearance of the flowers was
influenced by storage time and doses of 8-HQC (Fig. 1C).
The content of fresh weight decreased by approximately 1.6% through the first
eight days after harvest (Fig. 1A). At the end of the eighth day, the inflorescence
exhibited a slight increase in the floral opening: two bracts open and one at the beginning
of expansion (grade estimated at 1.6) (Fig. 1B).
The lightness values of bracts increased at 3.4%, whereas the chroma decreased
almost 4.9% for eight days of storage (Fig. 1D), indicating loss of color orange to dark
orange clear.
Visual appearance values decreased during the storage time (Fig. 1B). The
appearance values of inflorescences treated with 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1 of 8-HQC
was estimated as 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 and 4.0, respectively (Fig. 1C), and obtained satisfactory
commercial quality until the 8th storage day, and thereafter became unfit for
commercialization (Fig. 2). The senescence symptoms observed were discoloration,
necrosis and loss of turgidity of the bracts.
Longevity was not influenced by pulsing solutions with 8-HQC. After the eighth
day of storage, the inflorescences had lower grades in appearance or 2.6 in the scale
proposed by Souza (2008).
The decrease in the fresh weight of most cut flowers in general during storage is
due to the increased loss of water through transpiration and/or consumption of substrates
during respiration (Woltering and van Doorn, 2008). According to Ezhilmathi et al.
(2007) the reduction in the fresh mass of gladiolus can also be explained by the decrease
in water uptake. However, in heliconia ‘Golden Torch’, the decrease in the levels of fresh
mass can be attributed to the increased consumption of substrate for respiration, since
pulsing solutions had no effect on uptake or consumption of water during storage at room
temperature.
The differences in lightness and chroma bracts values of heliconias ‘Golden
Torch’, during the storage period, showed a tendency of loss of staining orange to lighter
shade. In flowers of roses, treatment with 8-HQC did not maintain coloring of petals
(Pietro et al., 2010), but in chrysanthemums (Spricigo et al., 2010), solutions of 8-HQC
plus sucrose performed better during storage over the flowers which did not receive
treatment, keeping the color for a longer period of time.
In studies conducted by Broschat and Donselman (1984) and Broschat et al.
(1984), tropical species like heliconias do not exhibit additional opening of bracts after

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harvest. The same authors recommend that heliconias must be harvested when they reach
a suitable stage of maturity (one to three bracts open). However, Castro (1993), studying
the longevity of some species of heliconias (H. hirsuta, H. stricta, H. episcopalis,
H. latispatha, H. aurorea and H. sampaioana) maintained at 250 mg L-1 8-HQC, found
additional opening, to the fullness of inflorescences when harvested with one or two
bracts open.
In studies conducted by Loubaud and Van Doorn (2004), using Astilbe flowers,
found that inclusion of antibacterial compounds, such as 8-HQC in water delay the time
for flower wilting, thereby contributing for the improvement of longevity. According to
these authors, the 8-HQC can suppress xylem occlusion by reducing bacterial growth,
although its mode of action is still unknown.
Despite the fact that 8-HQC did not influence the longevity of the flowers, pulsing
with 300 mg L-1 8-HQC provided greater retention of the postharvest quality of heliconia
‘Golden Torch’ stored for eight days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONS
The visual appearance was influenced by storage time and by the treatment with
8-HQC. However, the values of fresh mass, the flower opening, lightness and chroma
were affected only by the number of days in storage.
Pulsing for 18 h with 300 mg L-1 8-HQC maintained the quality of the
inflorescence ‘Golden Torch’ for a longer period of time. The longevity of ‘Golden
Torch’ treated or not with 8-HQC was nearly eight days in storage at room temperature.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank Embrapa Semiarid, Federal University of Viçosa and National
Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) for the financial support
and scholarships.

Literature Cited
Broschat, T.K. and Donselman, H.M. 1984. Andromeda, a Red and Orange Heliconia for
Cut-Flower Use. Agricultural Experiment Stations. Institute of Food and Agricultural
Science, University of Florida, Gainsville, circular S-309. 5p.
Broschat, T.K., Donselman, H.M. and Will, A.A. 1984. Golden Torch, an Orange
Heliconia for Cut-Flower Use. Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida,
Gainsville, circular S-308. 4p.
Castro, C.E.F. de. 1993. Helicônias como flores de corte: adequação de espécies e
tecnologia pós-colheita. Tese (Doutorado em Fitotecnia) – Universidade de São
Paulo/Escola Superior de Agronomia Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, São Paulo.
Ezhilmathi, K., Singh, V.P., Arora, A. and Sairam, R.K. 2007. Effect of 5-sulfosalicylic
acid on antioxidant activity in relation to vase life of gladiolus cut flowers. Plant
Growth Regul. 51:99-108.
Loubaud, M. and Van Doorn, W.G. 2004. Wound-induced and bacteria-induced xylem
blockage in roses, Astilbe, and Viburnum. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 32:281-288.
Pietro, J., Mattiuz, B.H., Mattiuz, C.F.M. and Rodrigues, T.J.D. 2012. Manutenção da
qualidade de rosas cortadas cv. Vega em soluções conservantes. Hort. Bras. 30:64-70.
Souza, S.O. 2008. Longevidade de Heliconia psittacorum × H. spathocircinata ‘Golden
Torch’ e H. bihai em resposta ao uso de reguladores de crescimento. 158 f. Tese
(Doutorado em Fitotecnia) – Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG.
Spricigo, P.C., Mattiuz, B.-H., Pietro, J., Mattiuz, C.F.M. and Oliveira, M.E.M. 2010.
Soluções de manutenção na pós-colheita de Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Dragon.
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Van Doorn, W.G. and Woltering, E.J. 2008. Physiology and molecular biology of petal
senescence. J. Exp. Botany. 59:453-480.

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Figures

100 5

Appearance (scale: 1 to 5)
Fresh Weight (% inicial f.w.)

4
98

Ŷ = -0.195**x + 100.1 R² = 0.716 3

96 Ŷ= 0.000901**x + 3.731 R² = 0.668
2

94 1

92 0
0 2 4 6 8 0 100 200 300
Time (days) 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate
(A) (C)
60 45
Floral opening (scale: 1 to 5)

5 5
58
Appearance (1 to 5)

4 4 43

3 3 56
Lightness

Chroma
Ŷ1 = -0.0155x2 + 0.1907x + 1.0546 R² = 0.7052 41
2 2 54
1 1 Ŷ1= 0.233**x + 55.50 R² = 0.910 39
52 Ŷ2 = -0.246**x + 42.09 R² = 0.666
Ŷ2 = -0.306**x + 5.091 R² = 0.975
0 0
50 37
0 2 4 6 8
0 2 4 6 8
Times (days) Time (days)
Floral opening (Ŷ1) Appearance (Ŷ2) Lightness (Ŷ1) Chroma (Ŷ2)
(B) (D)

Fig. 1. Fresh mass (A), floral opening and appearance (B), appearance (C), lightness and
chroma (D) of heliconias ‘Golden Torch’ affected by the storage time (0, 2, 4, 6
and 8 days at 23.9±1.8°C and 51±9% RH) and use of 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate.
Petrolina, PE, Brazil, 2008. * and **, significant at 1 and 5% probability by “t”
test, respectively.

190
 0 DAY 8 DAYS

(A) (A)

0 DAY 8 DAYS

(B) (B)

0 DAY 8 DAYS

(C) (C)

0 DAY 8 DAYS

(D) (D)

Fig. 2. Appearance of heliconias ‘Golden Torch’ treated 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1 of 8-
HQC (A, B, C and D, respectively) and evaluated on first and eighth day of
storage (23.9±1.8°C and 51±9% RH). Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil, 2008.

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