Effect of 1-octylcyclopropene and 1-methylcyclopropene on vase life of sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratusL.) flowers

SummarySweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus L.) flowers have a very short postharvest life and are sensitive to exogenous ethylene. Exposure to 1 μl l–1 ethylene enhanced flower senescence and reduced the display life of flowers to less than 3 d. Flowers pre-treated with 200 nl l–1 1-octylcyclopropene (1-OCP) or 200 nl l–1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for 6 h at 20°C were protected against ethylene and the display life was prolonged up to almost 7 d. 1-OCP (200 nl l–1) was applied for different exposure times of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 h and at temperatures of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20°C. The optimum conditions for protection against ethylene were ≥4 h exposure and temperature 20°C. No significant differences in display life were observed between 1-OCP and 1-MCP at their optimum treatment concentrations, but both compounds were excellent blockers of ethylene responses in sweet pea flowers.