Application of Chitosan on the Keeping Quality of Cut Gladiolus Flowers

Abstract

Chitosan has antimicrobial function, and it also can inhibit the synthesis of ethylene. For these reasons, acid and water soluble β-chitosan with different degrees of deacetylation (DD) were used in preserving cut flowers, and the effects of these treatments on the cut flowers were studied. The senescence of gladiolus cut flowers was not very sensitive to ethylene, nor did acid soluble or water soluble chitosan affect the vase life of cut flowers. However water soluble chitosan improved the pedicle bending and raise the total number of bloomed florets; and at the same time, it increased the diameter of the third florets. The optimal dosage was 20ppm of water soluble chitosan with ＞90% DD.