Optimization of flowering and post-harvest conservation of some cut flower species of interest to the Riviera Ligure di Ponente (OTTIPROGRAM)
RDP 2014-2020 Measure 16.01
Goals
To increase the profitability of three important cut-flower crops: viburnum Snowball, buttercup and peony grown in the Riviera Ligure di Ponente.
Application no.
12838
Members
DiSAAA-a University of Pisa
DISAA University of Milan
Project duration
01/03/2021 – 30/11/2022
The project: flowering optimization
The objectives are as follows:
- Develop and test thermal and chemical protocols to anticipate and postpone flowering of the viburnum shrub Snowball
- Develop protocols for forcing ranunculus rhizomes, through application of high/low temperature cycles in combination with chemical treatments to promote the breaking of flower bud dormancy
- Develop and test protocols for growing potted peonies placeable in climatic cells for flowering forcing
- Develop and test protocols to improve the quality and durability of ranunculus, peony, and Snowball viburnum post-harvest
Download the article published in Protected Crops no. July 7 2021
Download the slides of the seminar “Strategies to improve the post-harvest quality of cut flowers” of November 21, 2022
Download the final project brochure
Download the article published on Frontiers in Horticulture
Download the article published on Italus Hortus
Download the poster of the presentation at the AKIS conference on October 26, 2023
Demonstration visit
At the Florcoop farm, a hands-on meeting was held on July 22, 2022, to illustrate the protocol tested to anticipate the flowering of Viburnum Snowball. This species naturally blooms in April but the market also demands this product in the winter season and in June and September especially for weddings.
The economic aspect is always to be considered in this process because the costs of cooling the cold room and heating the greenhouse affect the final cost of the product.