Expt 2: 1-Methylcyclopropene gas treatment. The efficacy of 1-MCP treatment to protect three ethylene-responsive potted foliage plant genotypes (Aglaonema ‘Mary Ann’, Polyscias fruticosa ‘Castor’, Schefflera arboricola ‘Gold Capella’) against ethylene was tested. An equal number of plants of each genotype were randomly assigned to two matching airtight 4-m3 tents made from 0.5 mm thick polyethylene film. Plants in the first tent were treated with 0.9 mLL–1 1-MCP gas released from EthylBloc (0.14% 1-MCP;Floralife, Inc.) for 4 h at 21 C under 10mmo lm–2s–1 light. Plants in the second tent were maintained in air without 1-MCP and served as controls. The 1-MCP concentration
inside the tent was quantified by GC as described by Huber et al. (2010). After treatment,plants were removed from the tents and immediately exposed to 0 and either 1 mLL–1 (Polyscias, Schefflera) or 10 mLL–1 (Aglaonema) ethylene for 4 d at 21 C as described in Expt. 1. Seven replicate plants were used for each treatment. Plants were then maintained for evaluation at 21 C as per Expt. 1.