Soluciones hidratantes en dos cultivares de nardo (Polianthes tuberosa): respuestas físicas, fisiológicas y bioquímicas

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) ‘Mexicano’ and ‘Perla’ spikes, were harvested with 5 or 1 open basal flowers, and then treated with hydrating solutions containing gibberellic acid, benzyladenine, amino oxyacetic acid, citric acid, sucrose or hydroxyquinoline citrate, to evaluate postharvest physical, chemical and physiological changes, for a later technological development to increase the useful life of this ornamental plant. We used a radomentized experimental design, with a spike as the experimental unit and six or eight repetitions. Our results indicate that in both varieties, the relative fresh weight and water consumption and the number of open flow­ers increased, while respiration and total sugars decreased, when treated with HS containing AC or BA. The appearance was good for five days in ‘Mexicano’ spikes hydrated with AC or BA + Sac, while in ‘Perla’, for seven days in all HS-applied treatments. Peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymatic activities were high in control spikes and low when hydrated with AC or BA. In conclusion, hydration with AC or BA improves the metabolism and quality of ‘Mexicano’ and ‘Perla’ spikes.