Effects of 1-MCP and ethylene on postharvest quality and expression of senescence-associated genes in cut rose cv. Sparkle

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and ethylene on postharvest quality of cut rose ‘Sparkle’ and expression of Laccase and Aquaporins genes. Cut flowers were pre-treated with 0, 0.5 or 1μLL−1 of 1-MCP concentrations for 12h and subsequently exposed to 8μLL−1 of exogenous ethylene for 6h. Control treatment was received neither 1-MCP nor ethylene. Molecular study was carried out on petals of flowers pre-treated with 0 or 1μLL−1 1-MCP exposed to 8μLL−1 ethylene. The results showed that 1-MCP treatment did not have significant effects on flower diameter, relative fresh weight, solution uptake, and water loss, while it reduced ethylene production and chlorophyll degradation, and increased postharvest longevity. Control and ethylene treated cut stems revealed 2 days differences in postharvest longevity of ‘Sparkle’. 1-MCP suppressed the expression of all investigated genes except RhPIP1. The expression of RhLAC and RhTIP1 was induced by ethylene. Physiological and molecular data showed that this cultivar is sensitive to exogenous ethylene, while 1-MCP treatment inhibited ethylene's detrimental effects. Therefore, applying 1-MCP or other ethylene blocking agents are recommended as a postharvest treatment for extending the postharvest quality of cut rose ‘Sparkle’.