Effects of salicylic acid applied pre- or post-transport on post-harvest characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activity of gladiolus cut flower spikes

Abstract

Early senescence is the main limiting factor during the marketing of cut flowers. The current experiments were aimed at understanding the effects of pre- or post-transport application of salicylic acid (SA) on physicochemical characteristics affecting vase life of cut flower spikes of gladiolus cv. Amsterdam. SA was foliar sprayed at 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 mM concentrations on harvested flowers before or after simulated transport to local market, in order to evaluate its effect on post-harvest qualities and physiochemical parameters. The results showed that 0.5 mM SA significantly increased flower vase life, as well as membrane stability, anthocyanin and flavonoid concentrations, and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes in the flower petals. The relative fresh weight was not significantly affected by SA foliar treatment applied pre- or post-transport. Significant reduction was observed in lipid peroxidation of the SA-treated flowers, compared with the control group. The results suggest that foliar application of SA, especially at low concentration (0.5 mM), improves gladiolus vase life through modulating its antioxidative system and reducing lipid peroxidation. This treatment can be easily applied for commercial use.