Atmung und Transpiration von Baldrian-Wurzeln (Valeriana officinalis L.) während der Nacherntezeit

Frewshly harcested valerian roots (Valeriana officinalis L) of the 'Anthos' variety and the 'BLBP 19' genetic selection strain have a remarkable respiration rate. The mean values obtained from 5 tests increased to 108.6 ± 8.6 W t-1 at +1°C, 268.0 ± 25.5 W t-1 at +10°C, 554.3 ± 31.4 W t-1 at 20°C and as much as 921 ± 21.6 W t-1 at 30°C. After harvest, this respiration intensity maintained a non-continuous progrssion for 21 days in storage, wich can only be described through piece-vive regression with three sub-sections. Directly after digging up, the senescence- and storage-related decrease occured. After 1 to 3 day, the progression changed and a steady increased of the respiration occured in every temperature level and every experiment (2nd postharvest section). After 3 to 11 days, the highest value was reached wich, depending on temperature, was around 27.2 to 80.3 W t-1, at 10°C, above the values on harvest days. Then the senescence-related regression of the respiration intensity occured for another 9 to 16 days. Unlike leaf, herbal and flower drugs, the regression after 21 days of storage at +1°C was only at -4,8 to -16.8 W t-1, at 10°C, there was even an increase of +46.5 W t-1. The temperature primarily changed the duration of the sections affected by physiology and the steepness of the increase in the receding respiration process. The recorded respiration values also gave a rise to increased losses of fresh and dry matter, as well as a deterioration in external quality traits while in storage. Practical notes are given concerning effective ventilation, as weel as organisation and planning of postharvest activities.