Plant Acoustics for Evaluating Vase Life in Chrysanthemums
A Novel and Noninvasive Method
T.J. Bieling (Plense Technologies, TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
S. Dutta (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
B.B. de Klerk (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering, Plense Technologies)
Malleshaiah SharathKumar (Deliflor Chrysanten B.V)
G.J. Verbiest (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
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Abstract
Vase life is a key determinant of cut flower quality and market value. Conventional vase life assessment relies on visual inspection and physiological monitoring over several days to weeks, making it labor- and time-intensive. This study introduces a rapid and noninvasive approach using plant acoustics to assess postharvest vase-life-related variation in cut chrysanthemum flowers. Six chrysanthemum cultivars were grown under two supplemental lighting treatments (Hybrid and LED) and two planting densities (54 and 74 plants m−2). Acoustic monitoring was compared with optical microscopy for the assessment of xylem vessel diameter, while conventional vase-life testing was performed in parallel. Optical microscopy validated the acoustic measurements, with both methods consistently identifying vessel radii around 10 μm. The acoustic radius (𝑟a
), derived from pulse settling time measurements, showed cultivar- and planting-density-specific variation. Linear mixed-effects modelling demonstrated that the relationship between acoustic radius and vase life differed significantly among cultivars, indicating that a universal relationship across cultivars is not supported. These findings show that acoustic monitoring provides a meaningful noninvasive proxy for vase-life-associated stem traits and may serve as a useful cultivar-calibrated tool for evaluating postharvest longevity in cut chrysanthemums.
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