Effects of N6-Benzylaminopurine on Post-Harvest Respiration of Chrysanthemum morifolium and Dianthus caryophyllus

1. N6-benzylaminopurine-treated flower stalks of carnation and chrysanthemum, held for 7 days at 21.1⚬ C., respired less than control flower stalks as indexed by CO2 evolution. 2. Carnations exhibited a greater over-all response to the chemical than did chrysanthemum. Respiration rates of treated flower stalks were inhibited 22.2% for carnation and 13.6% for chrysanthemum. 3. The threshold concentration of N6-benzylaminopurine for inhibiting the respiration rate and improving the keeping quality of carnation and chrysanthemum flower stalks was found to be between 0 and 10 p.p.m.