Cold susceptibility in Phalaenopsis
The degree of exposure to low temperatures varies across chains and can do serious damage. The damage is usually visible after a few days. The trial intends to obtain clear insights into the cold susceptibility for different durations and low temperatures, per variety and different origins. With showcased batches, the differences could be observed. Symptoms such as bud fall and low temperature decay of the leaves were visible with different treatments. On the basis of the first two batches, no conclusions can be drawn, but after the completion of the trial with a total of 3 varieties and 3 origins, a clear image of the susceptibility is expected.
Due attention was also given to the development of a method (a stress test) which can predict the cold susceptibility and the quality decay of a batch in a quick manner. The results of this method will be correlated with sightings of cold damage. When there is a sufficiently close correlation this can be an interesting methodology for breeders, growers and retailers to screen a batch or cultivar on cold susceptibility.
The visitors were discussing interesting topics. Would there be a link between the batches which react sensitively during transport to cold and plants which showed damage to cooling during the transition of cultivation to the cooling phase? It has been suggested to conduct further research into the correlation between ethylene and cold susceptibility. A topic covered was the transition to practise. How information about, for example the cold susceptibility helps with positioning the plants on a cart and in a truck.
After the completion of the trial the results will be processed in a report.
Source: LTO Glaskracht Nederland