LOPES, Tais de Oliveira Pelegrina.; LEME, José Marcos.; FERRAZ, Antonio Carlos de Oliveira.; HONÓRIO, Sylvio Luis.
Résumé:
During transportation pot lilies are subjected to mechanical stresses such as vibrations, that cause damages to the plant tissues increasing physiological activity and, consequently reducing shelf life. The objectives of this work were to identify the types of mechanical damages generated by the vibration on Eastem pot lilies 'Star Gazer' and to elaborate a criterion for appearance evaluation of the lilies. The test was carried out in laboratory conditions using a vertical vibrating table, where plants in two maturity stages, button and flower, were exposed to a vibration period of 60 minutes at 16 Hz and vibration amplitude of 1,2 mm. To identify the mechanical damages, observations were made right affer the vibrations period and, to elaborate of appearance criterion it was taken in consideration the loss of turgescence, brightness, change in petal color, yellowish leaves and bending of the stems. Damages were identified as abrasion, cuts, abscission and folds in the petals. The appearance criterion suggested, is composed of five categories - I, II, III, IV, and V - subdivided in two marks per category: I (notes 9 and 10), II (7 and 8), III (5 and 6), IV (3 and 4) and V (1 and 2) and should adequately discriminate plants subjected to different leveis of vibration.