All Issue

2025 Vol.43, Issue 3 Preview Page

Research Article

Rapid Estimations of the Postharvest Quality and Longevity of Cut Roses using Vis/NIR Spectroscopy
Ji Yeong Ham1
,
Yong-Tae Kim1
,
Suong Tuyet Thi Ha1
,
Bongsu Choi2
,
Byung-Chun In1*
1Department of Smart Horticultural Science, Andong National University, Andong 36729 Korea
2Plant Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Korea
*Corresponding Author
30 June 2025. pp. 298-311
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

Visible and near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy is widely used to assess plant physiological characteristics in various horticultural crops. As cut flower longevity has become important for marketing, a rapid technique for estimating the internal quality of these products is necessary. In this study, we estimated the primary physiological factors affecting the water content and soluble solids content (SSC) using Vis/NIR spectroscopy to predict the postharvest quality and vase life of cut roses. First, cut roses were subjected to either air exposure (AE) or a sucrose treatment (ST) to identify the reflectance wavelengths correlated with water and sucrose in these plants. The AE flowers exhibited a rapid decrease in the water content and fresh weight, with their vase life consequently shortened compared to that of the control flowers. Vis/NIR results revealed a large spectral separation at a wavelength of approximately 550 nm, and a linear regression analysis indicated a high positive correlation between 550 nm and the water content in the petals. The ST treatment increased the SSC, fresh weight, and vase life of cut flowers. A distinct separation in the spectral reflectance was observed at a wavelength of 600 nm. The SSC level was significantly related to the reflectance at 600 nm; however, the result suggested that the internal sucrose level in rose petals could not be explained sufficiently by the reflectance at 600 nm. Thereafter, cut roses underwent export simulation under either dry (DT) or wet conditions (WT) for three days. The WT flowers maintained a higher fresh weight and water content during the transport and vase life periods and consequently had a longer vase life (5.5 d) than the DT flowers (4.2 d). Linear regression analyses revealed a relatively high coefficient of determination between the 550 nm wavelength and water content (r2 = 0.77) and vase life (r2 = 0.68). Our results indicate that it is possible to evaluate the major quality attributes of cut flowers based on Vis/NIR data. Based on these results, we can conclude that Vis/NIR spectroscopy is a reliable and practical method for estimating the postharvest quality and longevity of cut flowers.

Keywords
cut flower
non-contact measurement
reflectance
soluble solids content
vase life
water content
References
1

Adachi M, Kawabata S, Sakiyama R (2000) Effects of temperature and stem length on changes in carbohydrate content in summer-grown cut chrysanthemums during development and senescence. Postharvest Biol Technol 20:63-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(00)00106-X

10.1016/S0925-5214(00)00106-X
2

Arrom L, Munné-Bosch S (2012) Sucrose accelerates flower opening and delays senescence through a hormonal effect in cut lily flowers. Plant Sci 188:41-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2012.02.012

10.1016/j.plantsci.2012.02.01222525243
3

Chen JY, Zhang H, Miao Y, Asakura M (2010) Nondestructive determination of sugar content in potato tubers using visible and near infrared spectroscopy. Jpn J Food Eng 11:59-64. https://doi.org/10.11301/jsfe.11.59

10.11301/jsfe.11.59
4

Choi JH, Chen PA, Lee B, Yim SH, Kim MS, Bae YS, Lim DC, Seo HJ (2017) Portable, non-destructive tester integrating VIS/NIR reflectance spectroscopy for the detection of sugar content in Asian pears. Sci Hortic 220:147-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.03.050

10.1016/j.scienta.2017.03.050
5

Cortés V, Blasco J, Aleixos N, Cubero S, Talens P (2019) Monitoring strategies for quality control of agricultural products using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy: A review. Trends Food Sci 85:138-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.01.015

10.1016/j.tifs.2019.01.015
6

Cortés V, Cubero S, Aleixos N, Blasco J, Talens P (2017) Sweet and nonsweet taste discrimination of nectarines using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy. Postharvest Biol Technol 133:113-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2017.07.015

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2017.07.015
7

Doi M, Hu Y, Imanishi H (2000) Water relations of cut roses as Influenced by vapor pressure deficits and temperatures. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci 69:584-589. https://doi.org/10.2503/jjshs.69.584

10.2503/jjshs.69.584
8

Doi M, Reid M (1995) Sucrose improves the postharvest life of cut flowers of a hybrid Limonium. Hortic Sci 30:1058-1060. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.30.5.1058

10.21273/HORTSCI.30.5.1058
9

Elgimabi M (2011) Vase life extension of rose cut flowers (Rosa hybrida) as influenced by silver nitrate and sucrose pulsing. Am J Agric Biol Sci 6:128-133. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2011.128.133

10.3844/ajabssp.2011.128.133
10

Elhindi KM (2012) Evaluation of several holding solutions for prolonging vase-life and keeping quality of cut sweet pea flowers (Lathyrus odoratus L.). Saudi J Biol Sci 19:195-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2011.12.001

10.1016/j.sjbs.2011.12.00123961179PMC3730932
11

Evelyn S, Farrell AD, Elibox W, De Abreu K, Umaharan P (2020) The impact of light on vase life in (Anthurium andraeanum Hort.) cut flowers. Postharvest Biol Technol 159:110984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2019.110984

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2019.110984
12

Fanourakis D, Carvalho SM, Almeida DP, van Kooten O, van Doorn WG, Heuvelink E (2012) Postharvest water relations in cut rose cultivars with contrasting sensitivity to high relative air humidity during growth. Postharvest Biol Technol 64:64-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.09.016

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.09.016
13

Fanourakis D, Papadakis VM, Psyllakis E, Tzanakakis VA, Nektarios PA (2022) The role of water relations and oxidative stress in the vase life response to prolonged storage: A case study in chrysanthemum. Agriculture 12:185. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020185

10.3390/agriculture12020185
14

Govender M, Govender P, Weiersbye I, Witkowski E, Ahmed F (2009) Review of commonly used remote sensing and ground-based technologies to measure plant water stress. Water SA 35. https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v35i5.49201

10.4314/wsa.v35i5.49201
15

Ha STT, Ham JY, Choi B, In BC (2023a) Use of chlorophyll fluorescence to estimate photosynthesis and its relationship to vase life of cut roses. Flower Res J 31:10-22. https://doi.org/10.11623/frj.2023.31.1.02

10.11623/frj.2023.31.1.02
16

Ha STT, In BC (2023) The retardation of floral senescence by simultaneous action of nano silver and AVG in cut flowers, which have distinct sensitivities to ethylene and water stress. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 64:927-941. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-023-00538-7

10.1007/s13580-023-00538-7
17

Ha STT, Kim YT, In BC (2023b) Early detection of Botrytis cinerea infection in cut roses using thermal imaging. Plants 12:4087. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12244087

10.3390/plants1224408738140414PMC10748118
18

Ha STT, Kwon M, Nguyen TK, Lim JH (2019) Relationship between air exposure time and water relations of cut roses. Flower Res J 27:267-277. https://doi.org/10.11623/frj.2019.27.4.04

10.11623/frj.2019.27.4.04
19

Ha STT, Nguyen TK, Lim JH (2021) Effects of air-exposure time on water relations, longevity, and aquaporin-related gene expression of cut roses. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 62:63-75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-020-00302-1

10.1007/s13580-020-00302-1
20

Halevy AH, Mayak S (1979) Senescence and postharvest physiology of cut flowers, part 1. Hortic Res 1:204-236. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118060742.ch5

10.1002/9781118060742.ch5
21

Han K, Lee H, Kang JH, Choi E, Oh SJ, Lee YJ, Cho BK, Kang BC (2015) A simple method for evaluation of pepper powder color using vis/NIR hyperspectral system. Hortic Sci Technol 33:403-408. https://doi.org/10.7235/hort.2015.14183

10.7235/hort.2015.14183
22

Harkema H, Mensink MG, Somhorst DP, Pedreschi RP, Westra EH (2013) Reduction of Botrytis cinerea incidence in cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.) during long term transport in dry conditions. Postharvest Biol Technol 76:135-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2012.10.003

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2012.10.003
23

Ho L, Nichols R (1977) Translocation of 14C-sucrose in relation to changes in carbohydrate content in rose corollas cut at different stages of development. Ann Bot 41:227-242. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a085272

10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a085272
24

Ichimura K (1998) Improvement of postharvest life in several cut flowers by the addition of sucrose. Jan Agric Res Q 32:275-280

25

Ichimura K, Hiraya T (1999) Effect of silver thiosulfate complex (STS) in combination with sucrose on the vase life of cut sweet pea flowers. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci 68:23-27. https://doi.org/10.2503/jjshs.68.23

10.2503/jjshs.68.23
26

Ichimura K, Kawabata Y, Kishimoto M, Goto R, Yamada K (2003) Shortage of soluble carbohydrates is largely responsible for short vase life of cut 'Sonia' rose flowers. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci 72:292-298. https://doi.org/10.2503/jjshs.72.292

10.2503/jjshs.72.292
27

Ichimura K, Taguchi M, Norikoshi R (2006) Extension of the vase life in cut roses by treatment with glucose, isothiazolinonic germicide, citric acid and aluminum sulphate solution. Jan Agric Res Q 40:263-269. https://doi.org/10.6090/jarq.40.263

10.6090/jarq.40.263
28

Ichimura K, Takada M, Ogawa K (2022) Effects of treatments with nigerosylmaltooligosaccharide, glucose and sucrose on the vase life of cut snapdragon flowers. Sci Hortic 291:110565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110565

10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110565
29

In BC, Inamoto K, Doi M (2009) A neural network technique to develop a vase life prediction model of cut roses. Postharvest Biol Technol 52:273-278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2009.01.001

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2009.01.001
30

In BC, Lee JH, Lee AK, Lim JH (2016) Conditions during export affect the potential vase life of cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.). Hortic Environ Biotechnol 57:504-510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-016-1119-0

10.1007/s13580-016-1119-0
31

In BC, Motomura S, Inamoto K, Doi M, Mori G (2007) Multivariate analysis of relations between preharvest environmental factors, postharvest morphological and physiological factors, and vase life of cut 'Asami Red' roses. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci 76:66-72. https://doi.org/10.2503/jjshs.76.66

10.2503/jjshs.76.66
32

Jackson R, Ezra C (1985) Spectral response of cotton to suddenly induced water stress. Int J Remote Sens 6:177-185. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431168508948433

10.1080/01431168508948433
33

Katsoulas N, Elvanidi A, Ferentinos KP, Kacira M, Bartzanas T, Kittas C (2016) Crop reflectance monitoring as a tool for water stress detection in greenhouses: A review. Biosyst Eng 151:374-398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.10.003

10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.10.003
34

Kim CH, Seong KC, Jung YB, Lim CK, Moon DG, Song SY (2016) Establishment of discrimination system using multivariate analysis of FT-IR spectroscopy data from different species of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.). Hortic Sci Technol 34:324-330. https://doi.org/10.12972/kjhst.20160033

10.12972/kjhst.20160033
35

Kim DM, Zhang H, Zhou H, Du T, Wu Q, Mockler TC, Berezin MY (2015) Highly sensitive image-derived indices of water-stressed plants using hyperspectral imaging in SWIR and histogram analysis. Sci Rep 5:15919. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep15919

10.1038/srep1591926531782PMC4632122
36

Kim Y, Glenn DM, Park J, Ngugi HK, Lehman BL (2011) Hyperspectral image analysis for water stress detection of apple trees. Comput Electron Agric 77:155-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2011.04.008

10.1016/j.compag.2011.04.008
37

Kim YT, Ha STT, In BC (2024) Development of a longevity prediction model for cut roses using hyperspectral imaging and a convolutional neural network. Front Plant Sci 14:1296473. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1296473

10.3389/fpls.2023.129647338273951PMC10809400
38

Kovar M, Brestic M, Sytar O, Barek V, Hauptvogel P, Zivcak M (2019) Evaluation of hyperspectral reflectance parameters to assess the leaf water content in soybean. Water 11:443. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11030443

10.3390/w11030443
39

Lin X, Li H, He S, Pang Z, Lin S, Li H (2020) Investigation of stomata in cut 'Master'carnations: Organographic distribution, morphology, and contribution to water loss. Hortic Sci 55:1144-1147. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14945-20

10.21273/HORTSCI14945-20
40

Lin X, Li H, Lin S, Xu M, Liu J, Li Y, He S (2019) Improving the postharvest performance of cut spray 'Prince'carnations by vase treatments with nano-silver and sucrose. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 94:513-521. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2019.1572461

10.1080/14620316.2019.1572461
41

Loubaud M, van Doorn WG (2004) Wound-induced and bacteria-induced xylem blockage in roses, Astilbe, and Viburnum. Postharvest Biol Technol 32:281-288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2003.12.004

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2003.12.004
42

Lü P, Cao J, He S, Liu J, Li H, Cheng G, Ding Y, Joyce DC (2010) Nano-silver pulse treatments improve water relations of cut rose cv. Movie Star flowers. Postharvest Biol Technol 57:196-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.04.003

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.04.003
43

Macnish A, De Theije A, Reid M, Jiang CZ (2009) An alternative postharvest handling strategy for cut flowers-Dry handling after harvest. Acta Hortic https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.847.27

10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.847.27
44

Maimaitiyiming M, Ghulam A, Bozzolo A, Wilkins JL, Kwasniewski MT (2017) Early detection of plant physiological responses to different levels of water stress using reflectance spectroscopy. Remote Sens 9:745. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs9070745

10.3390/rs9070745
45

Mancini M, Mazzoni L, Qaderi R, Leoni E, Tonanni V, Gagliardi F, Capocasa F, Toscano G, Mezzetti B (2023) Prediction of soluble solids content by means of NIR spectroscopy and relation with Botrytis cinerea tolerance in strawberry cultivars. Hortic 9:91. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010091

10.3390/horticulturae9010091
46

Mattos DG, de Oliveira Paiva PD, Nery FC, Vale RP, Sarto MT, Luz ICA (2017) Water relations in post-harvested torch ginger affected by harvest point and carnauba wax. Postharvest Biol Technol 127:35-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2016.12.007

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2016.12.007
47

McGlone VA, Clark CJ, Jordan RB (2007) Comparing density and VNIR methods for predicting quality parameters of yellow-fleshed kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis). Postharvest Biol Technol 46:1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2007.04.003

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2007.04.003
48

Menesatti P, Antonucci F, Pallottino F, Roccuzzo G, Allegra M, Stagno F, Intrigliolo F (2010) Estimation of plant nutritional status by Vis-NIR spectrophotometric analysis on orange leaves [Citrus sinensis (L) Osbeck cv Tarocco]. Biosyst Eng 105:448-454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2010.01.003

10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2010.01.003
49

Nabigol A, Naderi R, Mostofi Y, Khalighi A (2009) Soluble carbohydrates content and ethylene production in cut rose cultivars. Hort Environ Biotechnol 50:122-126

50

Neto AJS, Lopes DC, Pinto FA, Zolnier S (2017) Vis/NIR spectroscopy and chemometrics for non-destructive estimation of water and chlorophyll status in sunflower leaves. Biosyst Eng 155:124-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.12.008

10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.12.008
51

Phuphaphud A, Saengprachatanarug K, Posom J, Maraphum K, Taira E (2020) Non-destructive and rapid measurement of sugar content in growing cane stalks for breeding programmes using visible-near infrared spectroscopy. Biosyst Eng 197:76-90. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.938162

10.3389/fpls.2022.93816235874018PMC9298609
52

Rabiza-Świder J, Skutnik E, Jędrzejuk A, Rochala-Wojciechowska J (2020) Nanosilver and sucrose delay the senescence of cut snapdragon flowers. Postharvest Biol Technol 165:111165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2020.111165

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2020.111165
53

Rihn AL, Yue C, Hall C, Behe BK (2014) Consumer preferences for longevity information and guarantees on cut flower arrangements. HortScience 49:769-778. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.49.6.769

10.21273/HORTSCI.49.6.769
54

Rumpf T, Mahlein AK, Steiner U, Oerke EC, Dehne HW, Plümer L (2010) Early detection and classification of plant diseases with support vector machines based on hyperspectral reflectance. Comput Electron Agric 74:91-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2010.06.009

10.1016/j.compag.2010.06.009
55

Ryckewaert M, Héran D, Simonneau T, Abdelghafour F, Boulord R, Saurin N, Moura D, Mas-Garcia S, Bendoula R (2022) Physiological variable predictions using VIS-NIR spectroscopy for water stress detection on grapevine: Interest in combining climate data using multiblock method. Comput Electron Agric 197:106973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2022.106973

10.1016/j.compag.2022.106973
56

Seehanam P, Chaiya P, Theanjumpol P, Tiyayon C, Ruangwong O, Pankasemsuk T, Nakano K, Ohashi S, Maniwara P (2022) Internal disorder evaluation of 'Namdokmai Sithong' mango by near infrared spectroscopy. Hort Environ Biotechnol 63:665-675. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-022-00435-5

10.1007/s13580-022-00435-5
57

Subedi P, Walsh K (2011) Assessment of sugar and starch in intact banana and mango fruit by SWNIR spectroscopy. Postharvest Biol Technol 62:238-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.06.014

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.06.014
58

van Doorn WG (1999) Role of soluble carbohydrates in flower senescence: a survey. Acta Hortic 543:179-183. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2001.543.21

10.17660/ActaHortic.2001.543.21
59

van Doorn WG (2012) 2 Water relations of cut flowers: An update. Hortic Res 40:55-106. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118351871.ch2

10.1002/9781118351871.ch2
60

van Doorn WG, Han SS (2011) Postharvest quality of cut lily flowers. Postharvest Biol Technol 62:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.04.013

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.04.013
61

VBN (2014) Evaluation cards for rosa. In. FloraHolland Aalsmeer

62

Yang X, Zhu L, Huang X, Zhang Q, Li S, Chen Q, Wang Z, Li J (2022) Determination of the soluble solids content in korla fragrant pears based on visible and near-infrared spectroscopy combined with model analysis and variable selection. Front Plant Sci 13:938162. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.938162

10.3389/fpls.2022.93816235874018PMC9298609
63

Zahi SADM, Omar AF, Jamlos MF, Azmi MAM, Muncan J (2022) A review of visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy application in plant stress detection. Sens Actuators Phys 338:113468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2022.113468

10.1016/j.sna.2022.113468
64

Zhang Y, Zheng L, Li M, Deng X, Ji R (2015) Predicting apple sugar content based on spectral characteristics of apple tree leaf in different phenological phases. Comput Electron Agric 112:20-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2015.01.006

10.1016/j.compag.2015.01.006
65

Zieslin N (1988) Postharvest control of vase life and senescence of rose flowers. Acta Hortic 261:257-264. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.261.33

10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.261.33
Information
  • Publisher :KOREAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국원예학회
  • Journal Title :Horticultural Science and Technology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :원예과학기술지
  • Volume : 43
  • No :3
  • Pages :298-311
  • Received Date : 2024-07-11
  • Revised Date : 2024-11-27
  • Accepted Date : 2024-11-29
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20250028
Journal Informaiton Horticultural Science and Technology Horticultural Science and Technology
Online Submission
  • scopus
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close