The effect of growth regulators on post-harvest Alchemilla mollis (Bauser) Rothm. leaf longevity

Leaves of Alchemilla mollis (Bauser) Rothm. were the subject of the study. The leaves were harvested early in the morning from the department’s ornamental plant collection. Selected leaves were fully-developed and showed no signs of damage or discolouring. Gibberellic acid (GA₃), benzyladenine (BA), meta-methoxytopolin (MemT) and its riboside (MemTR) at concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 mg dm⁻³ were applied in the form of solutions to four-hour leaf-conditioning in the room at a temperature of 18-20°C. After conditioning, the leaves were placed in distilled water. Leaves put into distilled water immediately after cutting served as the control. The post-harvest longevity of leaves of Alchemilla mollis was 7.2-11.8 days. The conditioning of leaves in gibberellic acid solutions at concentrations of 25-50 mg dm⁻³, benzyladenine at concentrations of 25 mg dm⁻³ and meta-methoxytopolin and its riboside at concentrations of 75 mg dm⁻³ extended the post-harvest longevity of leaves by 10.1-81.9%. The conditioning of leaves in gibberellic acid at a concentration of 50 mg dm⁻³ inhibited the degradation of chlorophyll, as indicated by the highest SPAD index values.