Efficacies of commercial anti-ethylene products for fresh cut flowers

Three commercially available “anti-ethylene” treatment solutions were tested for their effectiveness in protecting carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L. `Improved White Sim', `Atlantis', and `Nora'), Beard-Tongue (Penstemon hartwegii x P. cobaea `Firebird'), and Delphinium sp. from external ethylene levels ranging from 0.01 to 1.2 ppm. Flowers were treated according to label directions and then exposed to ethylene for 20 or 24 h at 20 to 23C after a 0-, 24-, or 48-h delay. Only the product containing silver thiosulfate (STS) provided protection against ethylene injury, whereas products containing inhibitors of ethylene synthesis identified as analogs of either aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) or aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG) offered little or no protection. The safe commercial use of products containing STS is discussed.