The longevity of cut Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. shoots depending on postharvest handling

The experiment was carried out to investigate the possibility of extension of the postharvest longevity of cut shoots of Polygonatum multiflorum depending on the type of conditioning. The shoots were collected for three experiments in May, June, and July. The following substances were used for conditioning: gibberellic acid (in May, June, and July) at a concentration of 50 and 100 mg dm-3, benzyladenine (in May) at a concentration of 50 or 100 mg dm-3, and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (in July) at a concentration of 200 mg dm-3. The conditioning was carried out at a temperature of 5 °C or 18 °C (May, June) or 18 °C (July). After conditioning, shoots were stored in a room at a temperature of 18 °C (May, June) or at 18 °C or 22 °C (July). The shoots of Polygonatum multiflorum harvested in July and conditioned with gibberellic acid at a concentration of 100 mg dm-3 were characterized by extended longevity. Benzyladenine at a concentration of 50 mg dm-3 proved to be useful for conditioning. In turn, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate had no influence on the longevity of the shoots. The variation in the temperature during conditioning and storage was found not to have a positive impact on longevity.