Controlled and Modified Atmospheres Combined with 1-MCP Improve Postharvest Quality and Suppress Botrytis cinerea in Cut Roses (Rosa hybrida L.)

Cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.) are highly sensitive to postharvest conditions, often experiencing quality losses associated with declines in SPAD values (relative chlorophyll index), color instability, Botrytis cinerea incidence, and impaired bud opening. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different storage atmospheres, including controlled atmosphere (CA; 10% CO2 + 3% O2 and 6% CO2 + 3% O2), normal atmosphere (NA), and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; LDPE1 (low-permeability MAP): 25 µm, 8000 cc m−2 day−1 O2 permeability; LDPE2 (high-permeability MAP): 25 µm, 12,000 cc m−2 day−1 O2 permeability), on SPAD values, color parameters, disease incidence, and bud development in cut rose cultivars (Rosa hybrida L.) cvs. ‘Rhodos’ and ‘Athena’ harvested in May, June, August, and November. The experiment was conducted as a factorial completely randomized design with seven biological replicates per treatment, each consisting of a single flower. Treatments were applied in combination with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, 625 ppb) and a commercial postharvest hydrating solution (Chrysal RVB, 1 mL L−1) under storage conditions of 0.5 ± 0.5 °C and 80–85% relative humidity. The results indicated that CA conditions in combination with 1-MCP maintained higher SPAD values, improved color stability, and were associated with lower Botrytis incidence (p < 0.01). In addition, the low-permeability LDPE1-based MAP treatment minimized variations in hue angle (h°) and improved bud development scores, while the hydrating solution treatment promoted bud opening, particularly in cv. ‘Athena’, although its effect on disease suppression was limited. Overall, the combined application of controlled atmosphere storage and 1-MCP generally showed superior performance in maintaining postharvest quality, reducing disease incidence, and preserving the visual and physiological attributes of cut roses, with effects varying depending on cultivar and evaluated parameter.