The cultivation of chrysanthemums originated in China more than 2000 years ago. Today this flower is regarded as one of the most popular cut flowers in the world. It is, therefore, important to ensure that high quality flowers are produced consistently for the local and export markets. Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. ‘Sunny Reagan’ flowers were grown in a greenhouse sprayed with an electro-activated sodium bicarbonate solution (anolyte) in an attempt to improve productivity and postharvest quality. A non-activated sodium bicarbonate solution was also used to determine the overall effect of sodium bicarbonate on chrysanthemum plants. Sodium bicarbonate acts to enrich the environment of the plant with CO₂ thereby increasing its photosynthetic activity. Anolyte showed a positive preharvest effect on the chrysanthemum plant by increasing the leaf size and overall quality. On the other hand, sodium bicarbonate produced low quality plants with fewer flowers than the control. These plants also exhibited necrotic leaf edges, which is a sign of salt stress. Anolyte-treated plants exhibited no significant increase in postharvest longevity. Anolyte treated plants showed an increase in leaf cell size and density and a decrease in the size of intercellular air spaces, indicating an improved ability for photosynthesis, whereas, treatment with sodium bicarbonate resulted in thinner leaves with a smaller midrib and a less developed vascular system when compared to the control. The chloroplasts in anolyte-treated plants exhibited an increase in starch grains, also an indication of enhanced photosynthesis. Anolyte-treated plants also showed an increase in chlorophyll concentration and an improved CO₂ uptake. It is clear from this study that anolyte stimulated photosynthesis in chrysanthemum plants, thus resulting in longer stems with more and larger flowers and leaves. / Prof. C.S. Whitehead
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:8344 |
| Date | 21 April 2008 |
| Creators | Rilly, Jocelyn |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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