Plant growth regulators improved cutting induced physio-biochemical responses to postponement senescence in chrysanthemum

Abstract

The marketability of cut flowers relies on its postharvest longevity, making it crucial to develop technologies that canextend its vase life. The vase life in chrysanthemum is dependent upon floret senescence and leaf yellowing. In view ofextending the vase life, the present study elucidates the implication of plant growth regulators viz. benzyl adenine (BA),thidiazuron (TDZ) and salicylic acid (SA) on postharvest performance and flower longevity of chrysanthemum stems. Theharvested stems were treated with various concentrations viz. BA and SA at 50,100,150 and 200 μM and TDZ at 5,10,15and 20 μM. Treatments containing 10 μM TDZ and 100 μM BA were most effective in improving the longevity (23.35 and20.32 days respectively) of cut chrysanthemum stems. However, TDZ outplayed BA followed by SA extends the flowerlongevity through the maintenance of higher physiological and biochemical characteristics. Cluster analysis inferred that thetreatments of 50 and100 μM BA and 5 and10 μM TDZ were found to be efficient in delaying floret senescence (24.01 days)and leaf yellowing (20.54 days) in cut chrysanthemum stems. Postharvest longevity exhibited a positive correlation withantioxidant activities, total soluble sugars and proteins, while it showed a negative correlation with anthocyanin andcarotenoid contents. The results have demonstrated that use of growth regulators such as benzyl adenine, thidiazuron andsalicylic acid may preserve the quality of cut chrysanthemum stems and delay their senescence.