Above, three flowers of the Pink Ice variety eleven days after harvesting: from left to right, flower without treatment; with treatment by sprinkler, and item treated by immersion in the product. Photo: CSIC. Below: Brenda, another protea variety.
Spanish scientists at CSIC have developed and patented a product based on antioxidants that delays the leaf blackening in cut flowers. They have successfully applied the treatment in proteas, a flowering plant from South-Africa and Australia, and have managed to delay the first symptoms of leaf blackening up to 8 days. The postharvest leaf blackening of cutflower in Protea industry supposes a significant limitation to the commercial viability of several protea cut flower products.
Contact:
Vicepresidencia Adjunta
de Transferencia del Conocimiento
CEBAS - CSIC
Yolanda Hernando
Tel. +(34) 968 39 63 56