UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCE AND CROP PROTECTION

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HORTICILTURE

ADEMBA EDWIN OCHIENG

A85/4371/2017

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL ON COMPARING DIFFERENT PH

TREATMENT FOR IMPROVING POST HARVEST CHARACTERITICS
AND EXTENDING THE VASE LIFE OF ROSES

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor

1 of science in horticulture
 DECLARATION.
This project proposal is my work to the best of my knowledge for the award of the
bachelors of degree in horticulture by the university of Nairobi.
No part of this proposal may be presented without prior knowledge of the author of
any work cited.

ADEMBA EDWIN OCHIENG A85/4371/2017

SIGN………………………………. DATE……………………..

SUPERVISOR PROF. M. HUTCHINSON

SIGN…………………………….. DATE……………………

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
 Table of Contents
DEDICATION..............................................................................................................4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...........................................................................................5
ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................6
CHAPRET ONE...........................................................................................................7
1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION......................................................................7
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT....................................................................................7
1.3 JUSTIFICATION...................................................................................................8
1.4 OBJECTIVES.........................................................................................................8
1.4.1 General objective...................................................................................................8
1.4.2 Specific objectives.................................................................................................8
1.5 HYPOTHESIS........................................................................................................8
CHAPTER TWO..........................................................................................................9
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................................9
CHAPTER THREE...................................................................................................10
3.1 Materials and Methods........................................................................................10
3.3.1 Study area............................................................................................................10
3.3.2 Materials and Methods........................................................................................10
3.3.3 Experimental treatments......................................................................................10
3.3.4 Data collection and analysis................................................................................11
CHAPTER FOUR......................................................................................................11
4.0 Expected output....................................................................................................11
4.1 Work plan...............................................................................................................11
4.2 EXPECTED BUDGET..........................................................................................12
4.3 REFERENCES.......................................................................................................12

DEDICATION.

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
I dedicate this research proposal project to my dear family,my beloved parents for
their endurance,support and encouragement throughout my study period.I also
dedicate it to the whole fraternity of university of Nairobi-college of Agriculture and
Vertinary medicine for their continued support.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
All thanks to God.To my supervisor for her extensive encouragement and guidance
throughout her work.All thanks to the head of Department of plant science and crop
protection for their support and for giving me a platform to perform this project.

ABSTRACT

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
After harvesting roses require different treatments for them to maintain their flower
color pigment and extend their vase life especially for those who use them for
decorative purposes in flower vases and for the local market.The length of vase life is
one if the most important factors for quality assurance of cut flower eg roses.This is
often short and affected by many factors such as water and carbohydrate uptake,air
embolism and bacterial growth among others such as ambient temperature.water
relation is interrupted due to micro-organism proliferation in the vase solution and
blockage in the basal end of the cut flower stem by microbes(This was proven by the
works of Van Doorn 1991,Bleeksma and Van Doorn 2003).

Background information published in journals of horticultural sciences confirm that

slightly acidic ph of the holding solution is important factor in extending of flower
vase life not only in roses but other cut flowers in general.Increasing ph to alkalinity
influence rose flower vase life through increasing free amino acids as well as reducing
total sugar and total chlorophyll concentrations. Several flower post harvest food has
been manufactured by companies dealing with horticultural products and through
research been done and results generated that a flower can stay atleast twelve days in
those post harvest holding solutions.

An experiment will be conducted in the university laboratory from January to April to

investigate the different pH treatments for improving post harvest characteristics and
extending vase life of a rose flower with a control of pure water:Neutral pH.
Data on solution uptake,weight of the flower stem,leaf and petal
appearances,openings rates of the flower petals and changes in holding solution ph
will be taken and recorded daily and subjected to analysis.Citric acid will be used to
alter the ph of different holding solution due to its advantages that are stomatal
closure hence transpiration is reduced and improve water balance in the tissues this
will prevent wilting of the rose flower in their holding solutions for a period of time.

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
 CHAPRET ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Roses belong to family Rosaceae that contain more than 100 species .Rose plant are
valuable due to its economic benefits as raw materials for the production of cosmetics
and perfumes.They are also used for decorative purposes.It requires more than 6 hours
of exposure to light to give satisfactory growth.This plants grow as a bush with tall
straight flower stems in which the flower bud are produced at the top.They require
prunning at the end of the harvesting season to prepare it for the next season.This
roseflower bushes require build up of carbohydrates hence exposure of foliage to light
is important and proper nutrition during growth to ensure good quality flowers
produced.This explain the need for bending and re-bending of shoots that arises from
the first bend.
Rose flower does not stay long after harvesting this explains the need for cold chain
treatment from harvesting to the time they are consumed by the consumer.The
activities in the cold chain will determine its vase life and appearances eg The red
varieties of dark roses needs gradual exposure to temperature change to prevent its
petal from turning black hence deterioration of quality.This temperate treatment
include 16oc for removal of field heat then pre cooled at normal precooling
temperatures.
Research in the floriculture industries nowadays has decline hence farmers are still
using the old technology in its production and post harvest handling this causes
losses.It is clear than unless this product are preserved,their ultimate fate is senescent
and death.However it is possible to extend the postharvest life of rose flower using
different preservatives solutions.The use of sucrose with or without addictive could
help in extending its vase life.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Their is about 20-40% losses in rose cut flowers due to incorrect post harvesting
activities at the local market.At a time most of rose flowers consumers like to enjoy it
while fresh,their natural appearances for a longer time.This plant loose its 10% to
15% freshness in terms of colour concentration on petals or leaves or beauty during
harvesting and transportation.
Fresh rose consumers and small scale local markets have a difficulty in storage of this
rose flower stem at a longer period and maintaining its fresh appearances,However
this has been solved by using different preservative solutions.The main role of this
preservative solutions include supplying the flower with sugars ,increased water
uptake and reduce bacterial growth which are the common cause of vascular blockage
hence making xylem less efficient in water transportation.
Some local consumer find it difficult to use commercial preservatives especially in
bulk storage since it can be expensive instead they use pure water that will give roses
a shorter vase life.This has been evident in weddings where flowers shrinks and looks
wilted few hours after arrangement hence does not serve fully the purpose it was
needed to.This project is aimed at providing the best natural flower preservative that
can be afforded with many and give recommendations to the local markets on the best
pH of making their rose flower still fresh before reaching to the consumers.

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
1.3 JUSTIFICATION

Kenya has got potential in producing rose plants as witnessed by growth of flower
farms to 2000-3000 farms.As these farms grows and expand their is need for
appropriate post harvesting handling that will reduce flower opening or keep the
flower to bloom for a longer time.local market are are becoming high and 5% to 10%
of the market are theirs.This consumers depending on this kind of market needs their
flowers still in good shape and need to see their fresh appearances for a longer
time.All this will be achieved with proper post harvesting handling and use of
efficient preservatives.The study therefore focuses on the right pH for improving post
harvest characteristics and vase life.

1.4 OBJECTIVES

1.4.1 General objective

To determine the best pH for improving postharvest characteristics and extending

vase life of a rose flower.

1.4.2 Specific objectives

To determine the best pH that will increase solution uptake hence maintain higher
osmotic potential,delayed senescence and enhancing proper colour concentration on
the petals.
To determine the combinations with right proportions to be used as a flower
preservative with great ability to delay flower senescence,maintain postharvest quality
and prolong flower vase life.

1.5 HYPOTHESIS

HO:pH of the holding solution has no significant effects on improving postharvest

characteristics and extending the vase life of a rose flower.
H1:pH of the holding solution has a significant effects on improving postharvest
characteristics and extending the vase life of a rose flower.

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.2.1 Challenges in Rose flower production in Kenya.

Rose flower cultivation in Kenya is paused with many challenges altering its
growth.This challenges are pest and diseases and poor post harvesting handling
among others.In controlling of the pest and diseases large volumes of chemicals are
used hence excessive use of finances.
In post harvesting handling their is lack of skills to handle the post harvest activities
that vary with varieties and ambient temperature.After harvesting the flowers need to
be precooled at between 5oc-8oc then removed for processing area which is required
not take more that thirty minutes but some farms flowers take more than that time
hence quality goes down this is followed by cooling at 4oc.packaging is done at the
cold store.If all this cold chain is correctly followed the high quality flowers with
longer vase life is realised.

2.2.2 Current research on post harvest handling of rose flower.

Ahmad Iftikhar,Dole JM. Homemade floral preservatives affect postharvest

performance of roses. Hort Technol 2014.

Kazemi MEH, Hekma J.Effect of salicylic acid.citric acid and sucrose on antioxidant
activity ,membrane stability and ACC oxidase activity in relation to vase life of
cutflowers. J plant science 2012.This proved that citric acid and salicylic acid are
important in maintaining water balance in cutflowers.

Van Doorn WG. Water relations of cut flowers. Hort. Rev. 1997;18:1–85

Van Doorn WG. Is petal senescence due to sugar starvation?. Plant Physiol. 2004;
134:35–42. 32. Ahmad I, Dole JM. Postharvest Performance of cut marigold, rose,
and sunflower stems as influenced by homemade and commercial floral preservatives.

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Materials and Methods

3.3.1 Study area

The research is to be done from January to April 2019 and is to be carried out in the
university laboratory and also where the replications and treatments be done.

3.3.2 Materials and Methods

Plant material eg rose flowers stems of three varieties will be acquired from the
nearby local market.Citric acid,NaHPO4 and sucrose will be acquired from the nearby
chemical stores.Cut stem of Rose flower at half opening stages will be acquired and
pre-cooled at 4°C and dipped immediately to the pure water. In the laboratory, the cut
stems will be re-cut diagonally using a sharp knife from the base of the stem to keep
all the cut stems at one uniform lengths. The bottom of the cut flower stems will
completely immersed in each treatment solution.

3.3.3 Experimental treatments

The treatments will consist of four pH preservative solution(pure water and sucrose
solution in a ratio of 2:1) 3.0pH ,4.5PH,5.5pH and 6.5pH and a control of 7.0pH
of Na2HPO4 and Citric acid will be used and added to all the vase in different amounts
to alter their pH.This will be done by titration of citric acid against a solution of pure
water and sucrose in a ratio of 2:1.
Two stem cuttings will be placed in each pH solution 300ml in each vase and
replicated two times.This treatments will be kept at room temperature.
Data collection will be on daily interval until the last stem cuttings wilts to death or
end point symptoms has start showing.

3.3.4 Data collection and analysis

Data will be collected on daily intervals.This data will include;

Solution uptake by the rose stem.
Weight unit of the plant.
Opening rates of the flower petals their appearances and colour concentration.
Leaf appearances.
This data will be analysed graphically and also use of Analysis of Variance.Means
with significance difference will be separated using the least significance difference
(LSD) p ≤ 0.05.

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
3.3.4.1 Analysis of variance table.

Data of solution uptake with the blocks of variety will be used to compute the ANOVA table .
Source of Degrees of Sum of Mean sum of Variance ratio F. tabulate
variation freedom squares squares
blocks (3-1) SSb/D.F MSSb/MSSE
Treatments (3-1) SSt/D.F MSSt/MSSE
Error 4 SSe/D.F
Total (9-1)
Key
SSe: sum of squares error
SSt:sums of squares total
SSb:sums of squares block
MSS: mean sums of squares

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Expected output

The research study is expected to find out the best pH for the flowers to thrive well
considering the rate of solution uptake and the changes in weight of the rose flower.
Recommendation be given on the best natural flower holding solution by comparing it
with the positive known control.

4.1 Work plan

November December January February March April

Literature
Research
and proposal
writing
Materials
collection
Laboratory
experimenta
tion
Data
collection
Report
writing

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture
 4.2 EXPECTED BUDGET

ITEM QUANTITY PRICE

rose flower cut stems 30 flower stems 1500
Miscellenious N/A 1500

4.3 REFERENCES

Shanan; AJAAR, 1(3): 1-11, 2005; Article no.AJAAR.34655 on pH treatments of

different cut flowers.

Hutchinson, M.J., D.K. Chebet and V.E. Emongor. 2002. Effect of Accel, Sucrose
and STS on substrate utilization in cut Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L) flowers.
Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology

Musembi, N. N. (2011). Preservative formula for lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum

Shinn.) cut flowers. PATENT APPL. NUMBER: KE/P/2011/001398. (Applicant:
University of Nairobi; Inventor: Musembi, N. N.).

Kazemi MEH, Hekma J.Effect of salicylic acid,citric acid and sucrose on antioxidant
activity, membrane stability and ACC oxidase activity in relation to vase life of
cutflowers.

a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for bachelor of science in horticulture