Extending the postharvest life of carnations with nitric oxide - comparison of fumigation and in vivo delivery

The ability of nitric oxide (NO) to extend the postharvest life at 20 degreesC of carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. White-Sim) was investigated using delivery by gas-based fumigation and in vivo release via a solution containing the NO donor compound 2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazino)-bisethanamine (DETA/NO). Treatment with NO gas in air at 1 and 5 mul l(-1) produced about a 30% increase in postharvest life while DETA/NO applied in solution at 10 mg l(-1) extended postharvest life by about 50% when dissolved in water. For flowers, use of solid delivery appears to offer a more convenient and more effective method of NO treatment than gaseous fumigation to extend postharvest life. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.