Effect of ethanol on the longevity and abscission of bougainvillea flower.docVIP

Mj. Int. J. Sci. Tech. 2007, 01(2), 184-193 Maejo International Journal of Science and Technology ISSN 1905-7873 Available online at www.mijst.mju.ac.th Full Paper Effect of ethanol on the longevity and abscission of bougainvillea flower A. B. M. Sharif Hossain*, Amru Nasrulhaq Boyce, Haji Mohamed A. Majid, Somasundran Chandran, and Razali Zuliana Plant Physiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia *Corresponding author, email: sharif@.my Received: 27 July 2007 / Accepted: 26 October 2007 / Published: 31 October 2007 Abstract: The experiment was carried out to study the effect of different concentrations of ethanol on bougainvillea flower vase life and delayed abscission. Young and fresh flowers were harvested from 4-year-old bougainvillea trees randomly. Flower stems (petiole) were placed individually in an open solution containing different concentrations of ethanol immediately after harvesting. The solutions used for treatment were water (control), 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 70% ethanol. Positive responses were found in the case of 8 and 10% ethanol after 5 days of treatment. Flower longevity was 2 days longer in 8 and 10% ethanol than in water control and other concentrations of ethanol. Petal wilting and abscission occurred 2 days later than water control. Perianth abscission was later in 8 and 10% ethanol than water control. Percent petal scar (color changing) was later in water control, 2, 4, 8 and 10 than 20, 30, 40, 50 and 70% ethanol The result showed that the flower vase life was significantly affected by ethanol concentrations and longevity was more in 8 and 10% ethanol than water control and other concentrations. Keywords: bougainvillea flower, longevity, abscission Introduction Bougainvilleas are popular ornamental plants and used as official flowers in most areas with warm climate