The main goal of this research was to determine the quality by measuring turgor in flowers stems of chrysanthemums stored in tap water and on distilled water, using the method of relative water content (RWC) and the equipment Wiltmeter®. The flower stems were harvested in a commercial field and placed randomly into unitary containers containing distilled water or tap water. In order to monitor the water status of the stems the follow analyses were done: variation of fresh mass, water absorption rate, water transpiration rate, relative water content and turgor pressure. Data were subjected to analysis of variance by F test, means were compared through the days of vase life, using Tukey test at 5% significance level. For comparison of the RWC and the turgor pressure the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated. Flower stems kept in tap water maintained turgor significantly better than the ones maintained on distilled water. There is a correlation between turgor pressure and relative water content, which remain higher as the plant tissues are new and well hydrated. The estimate of the turgor pressure was effective and sensitive in evaluating the water status of the tissues of the stems of cut chrysanthemums.
turgor pressure; relative water content; Dendranthema morifolium
