Post-harvest longevity of leaves of the sea lavender (Limonium latifolium (Sm.) Kuntze) after application of growth regulators

Conditioning is a simple and effective method of post-harvest longevity of both flowers and florists' greens. Performing this treatment immediately after harvest by the producer increases the quality of floral products expressed as their post-harvest longevity. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of four growth regulators from the gibberellin and cytokinin groups applied as a 4-h conditioning treatment of leaf blades and to determine any effects on post-harvest longevity of leaves of Limonium latifolium. The leaves were harvested early in the morning from the department of ornamental plants collection. Selected leaves were fully-developed and had no damage or discolouring. Gibberellic acid, benzyladenine, meta- methoxytopolin and its riboside at the concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 mg/dm3 were taken up in a solution for 4-h leaf-conditioning of Limonium latifolium at the temperature of 18-20°C. After the conditioning treatment the leaves were placed in distilled water. Leaves placed into distilled water immediately after cutting served as control. Gibberellic acid, benzyladenine and topolins applied as leaf conditioning treatment extended the post-harvest longevity of leaves of Limonium latifolium. Examined growth regulators, with the exception of riboside of meta-methoxytopolin, also had a favourable effect on the index of leaf greenness.