2.3. E6aluation of ethylene sensiti6ity and STS
treatment
Three cut flowers were placed in a beaker con-
taining distilled water, and placed in a transparent
polycarbonate-vessel with a septum (1000 ml). A
known amount of ethylene was introduced into
the vessel through the septum. The vessel was
kept at 23°C under 10 mmol m − 2 s − 1 provided
from fluorescent lamps for 6 h. After the treat-
ment, the flowers were removed from the vessel,
kept under the same environmental conditions as
above and observed until wilting. Flowers were
regarded as senescent when the petals had lost
turgor. Six flowers were used for each treatment.
To test the effects of silver thiosulphate (STS),
cut ends of flowers were immersed in various
concentrations of STS solution within 1 h after
harvest, held there for 24 h, and then transferred
to distilled water under the same environmental
conditions as above. Longevity of flowers was
determined as the time from harvest to wilting.
Nine flowers were used for each treatment