The ornamental nursery sector sells and delivers its products not only within the European Union but throughout the world. Thus, shipping for long distances has become commonplace in the industry. Extended transport times may result in loss of quality and reduced longevity. Consequently, an effective logistics strategy is of competitive importance for nursery production.
This research was carried out with the aim of improving longdistance transport conditions (up to 6 weeks) of ornamental plants produced in the nurseries of the Pistoia District. Phenotipic and physiological parameters of plants during transport were studied, testing three biodegradable antiperspirants and biodegradable microfilm to protect plants on five important pot ornamental species: maple (Acer palmatum), cypress (Cupressocypari leylandii), privet (Ligustrum texanum), nandina (Nandina domestica) and viburnum (Viburnum tinus). Plant tolerance to storage conditions in refrigerated cells or containers (T° = 812°C) varied considerably according to the considered species, with cypress resulting as extremely tolerant and maple and nandina very sensitive.
Treatments with antiperspirants did not exhibit particularly evident effects on the tested species. The use of biodegradable film was inadequate to protect plant quality during longdistance shipments. Even in cases of total or partial loss of leaves by species such as maple and nandina, optimal recovery of vegetative development was highlighted once these species were relocated in outdoor cultivation. Among physiological parameters, MDA and phenols contents were the most stressrelated variables, being negatively correlated to the quality decay of plants transported in dark refrigerated cells for 26 weeks.
ghiselli, lisetta & Bonetti, Daniele & Prisa, Domenico & Nin, Stefania & Burchi, Gianluca. (2023). Application of antiperspirants to improve the condition of ornamental plants subject to medium and longdistance transport in refrigerated container. Advances in Horticultural Science. 37. 101-109. 10.36253/ahsc14258.
Read the complete paper at researchgate.net