Postharvest durability of Heliconiaceae evaluated in a controlled environment in Mato Grosso state, Brazil

Abstract Postharvest preservation is essential to maintain the peculiar features, beauty and longevity of flower stalks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postharvest durability, based on the visual quality and fresh weight of flower stalks of Heliconia psittacorum (with three-color variations) and of H. densiflora, in a cold chamber at three temperatures (14 °C, 18 °C and 22 °C) and in the laboratory (control treatment at 26 °C). A completely randomized design with four replications and five stems per plot was used. In flower stalks of H. densiflora under laboratory conditions, first signs of senescence were observed after six days of evaluation. For H. psittacorum, first signs of senescence were observed between 6 and 12 days of evaluation. For flower stalks of H. psittacorum (inflorescence color 5R 4/10), storage at 14 °C is recommended for up to nine days. At 14 °C or 22 °C, H. psittacorum (inflorescence color 2.5Y 7/10) at 18 °C or 22 °C for up to six days, and H. psittacorum (inflorescence of 7.7 YR 7/10) at 14 °C or 22 °C for up to six days. For H. densiflora, storage at 18 °C is recommended for up to six days. For both species and bract color variations, the reductions of fresh weight were greatest in the refrigerated environments.