Short Vase Life Research Articles

The impact of water relations on the vase life of contrasting Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.) cut flowers

ABSTRACT Genotypic differences in the moderation of water relations have been shown to play a key role in explaining differences in vase life in Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.). In this study, we compared the impact of a range of holding solutions on water relations in two cultivars with contrasting vase lives: ‘Spirit’ and ‘Honduras’ (designated as short vase life – ‘Spirit-S’ and long vase life – ‘Honduras-L’). The application of a biocide (8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate; 8-HQS), ‘stem’ re-cutting and a combination of both were tested for their potential to improve water uptake and vase life in the short-lived cultivar Spirit-S. The effects of osmotic conditions were compared for both cultivars, by placing cut flowers in a Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) solution. Re-cutting and biocide altered the pattern of water uptake, but neither treatment improved vase life, suggesting that occlusion of the peduncle/microbial obstruction were not important factors in determining vase life. PEG significantly reduced vase life in both cultivars. Honduras-L responded to PEG by significantly reducing its spathe osmotic potential, while no change was observed in Spirit-S. Thus, PEG-induced drought resulted in osmotic adjustment only in the long vase life cultivar, suggesting that a genotype’s capacity for osmotic adjustment influences vase life.

Evaluation of cultivated gladiolus varieties of Bangladesh and radio sensitivity test for varietal improvement

The study was conducted at the research field of Nalitabari Sub-station, BINA, Sherpur during the period November 2019 to May 2020 to characterize, evaluate and select promising gladiolus varieties suitable for Bangladesh and to determine the optimum dose of radiation for LD50 for varietal improvement. The parameters studies were plant height, days to 1st flowering, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf breadth, length of spike, length of rachis, number of flower per spike, flower diameter, number of corms per plant, weight of single corm, vase life, per cent germination, per cent survivability, shoot length and root length. The longest plant (154.2 cm) was observed in White Prosperity, while the shortest plant (101.7 cm) was in Regency. The longest leaf (70.3 cm) was found in Red Cascade and the shortest leaf (48.0 cm) was found in Her Majesty. The highest number of floret per spike was produced by Red Cascade (17.3) followed by White Prosperity (17.0). The Regency produced the lowest number (8.0) of floret per spike. The longest vase life (9.3 days) was observed in American Beauty followed by (8.7 days) Red Cascade, while the shortest vase life (5.7 days) was recorded in Wine and Roses. In radio sensitivity test, 30-40 Gy of gamma irradiation would be the optimal dose for inducing useful mutation in gladiolus. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Agric, 37(2): 43-56, 2023

Postharvest Chemical Treatment of Physiologically Induced Stem End Blockage Improves Vase Life and Water Relation of Cut Flowers

Wound-induced xylem occlusion significantly affects the vase life of cut flowers, as oxidative stress and the polymerization of phenolic compounds lead to the deposition of phenolic compounds/secondary metabolites in the stem ends of cut flowers to heal open tissues of freshly cut stems and prevent microbial invasion. However, this deposition causes blockage of vessels, reduced water uptake, and shortened vase life. The physiological plugging of vessels is linked with various oxidative enzymes’ (PAL, PPOs, LACs, and COs) actions taken to increase the synthesis of different compounds, e.g., lignin, suberin, tyloses, gel, and latex, in wounded areas. The use of chemical preservatives/enzyme inhibitors is one of the safest and most efficient techniques employed to minimize vascular blockage and inhibit phenolic compounds deposition and exudation. This review mainly discusses the types of oxidative enzymes, their pathways and biochemistry along with production of secondary metabolites, their biosynthesis, and their modes of action involved in vascular blockage. It also summarizes the different types of preservatives used in postharvest treatments to improve relative water uptake, flower fresh weight, petal protein content, and hydraulic conductance and prolong the vase life of cut flowers during storage. It is hoped that this elaborate study will help researchers in designing new studies concerning occlusion caused by the accumulation of phenolic compounds in vessels.

Physico-Chemical Responses of Alstroemeria spp. cv. Rebecca to the presence of Salicylic Acid and Sucrose in vase solution during postharvest life.

The primary challenge in the cut flower industry, specifically in the postharvest phase, is the short vase life of flowers. This issue, along with early leaf yellowing and perianth abscission, significantly diminishes the economic value of flowers due to their accelerated senescence. To tackle this, we conducted a factorial experiment on Alstroemeria cv. Rebecca, utilizing a completely randomized design with three replications. In this experiment the effects of varying concentrations of Salicylic acid (SA) (0, 1.5, and 3mM) and sucrose (SU) (0% and 3%) were investigated on the postharvest quality of leaves and florets, with systematic evaluations every three days throughout their vase life. This experiment revealed that the specific treatment combination of 1.5mM SA + 3% SU (T5) markedly improved various parameters, such as vase life, total chlorophyll content, membrane stability index, relative fresh weight, and water uptake of cut flowers. In our analysis, we observed that this preservative solution not only extended the vase life and enhanced water uptake but also effectively preserved total chlorophyll, mitigated the loss of fresh weight, and reduced membrane deterioration in petals. Additionally, our results showed an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes, as well as total protein content, alongside a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. Moreover, this study noted a decrease in microbial populations in solutions containing different concentrations of salicylic acid. Our research demonstrated that alstroemeria flowers maintained in a solution with 1.5mM SA + 3% SU exhibited a significantly prolonged vase life of up to 21days, in contrast to the 15days observed in control flowers kept in water. These results are highly beneficial for manufacturers in the cut flower industry, as they provide a viable method to substantially extend the vase life of cut flowers. Such an enhancement in flower longevity can lead to increased market value and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the reduction in flower senescence and decay rates can contribute to decreased waste and greater efficiency in cut flower distribution and sales, offering a substantial advantage to manufacturers in this competitive market. The extended vase life and reduced senescence observed in alstroemeria flowers treated with 1.5mM SA and 3% SU are attributed to SA's role in enhancing endogenous defense responses and sucrose's function as an energy source, collectively improving water uptake, and delaying the natural decay process.

The Extension of Vase Life in Cut Gerbera Flowers through Pretreatment with Gibberellin A3 in Combination with Calcium Chloride

The effect of pretreatment with gibberellin A3 (GA3) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the vase life of cut gerbera ‘Minou’ was investigated. Cut gerbera flowers were treated with GA3 and/or CaCl2 for 24 h and then transferred to an antimicrobial solution. Pretreatment with GA3 at 0, 29, 72, 144, and 289 µM delayed the opening of the tubular florets and promoted stem bending due to elongation of the flower stems, which shortened vase life. When cut gerbera was pretreated with 144 µM GA3 in combination with CaCl2 at 90, 180, 270, and 360 mM, stem elongation was suppressed with the increasing concentration of CaCl2. Next, the effect of pretreatment with 144 µM GA3, 270 mM CaCl2, and their combination on the vase life of the cut gerbera was investigated. Combined treatment with GA3 and CaCl2 significantly extended vase life more than GA3 alone and CaCl2 alone. The vase life of the cut gerbera ‘Banana’, ‘Kimsey’, ‘Pinta’, ‘Tim’, and ‘Vivid’ was significantly extended by pretreatment with 144 µM GA3 and 270 mM CaCl2. It was concluded that combined treatment with GA3 and CaCl2 was effective in extending the vase life of the cut gerbera.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract for inhibiting stem end bacteria in cut tree peony flowers.

Tree peony ( Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) is a popular cut flower among ornamental plants. However, its short vase life severely hinders the production and application of cut tree peony flowers. To extend the postharvest longevity and improve the horticultural value, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) was applied for reducing bacterial proliferation and xylem blockage in cut tree peony flowers in vitro and in vivo. Ag-NPs was synthesized with the leaf extract of Eucommia ulmoides and characterized. The Ag-NPs aqueous solution showed inhibitory activity against bacterial populations isolated from stem ends of cut tree peony 'Luoyang Hong' in vitro. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 10 mg L-1. Compared with the control, pretreatments with Ag-NPs aqueous solution at 5 and 10 mg L-1 for 24h increased flower diameter, relative fresh weight (RFW), and water balance of tree peony 'Luoyang Hong' flowers. Additionally, malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 content in pretreated petals were lower than the control during the vase life. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in pretreated petals were lower than that of the control at the early vase stage and higher at the late vase life. Furthermore, pretreatments with Ag-NPs aqueous solution at 10 mg L-1 for 24h could reduce bacterial proliferation in the xylem vessels on the stem ends by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Overall, pretreatments with green synthesized Ag-NPs aqueous solution effectively reduced bacteria-induced xylem blockage of cut tree peony, resulting in improved water uptake, extended vase life, and enhanced postharvest quality. Therefore, this technique can be used as a promising postharvest technology in the cut flower industry.

Effect of Nanoparticles and Organic Extract Preservatives on Vase Life of Cut Flowers: A Review

Cut flowers are used to express appreciation, affection and express emotions on various special occasions. The international trade in cut flowers has expanded in recent years and is expected to grow with the promotion and use of horticultural plants for their therapeutic benefits. Vase life is the period during which a cut flower maintains its appearance in the vase. This is a crucial factor in determining which plant species are ideal for use in floristry, with long vase life plants being considerably more desirable than short vase life plants. Chemical treatments that extend the life of vases are a major part of floristry. Adding sugars to a vase solution with cut flowers is known to delay aging and extend the life of the vase. Nano-sensors could therefore also help to extend the life of vases with cut flowers and thus enable the monitoring of ethylene concentrations in the warehouses of large growers and wholesalers. In floriculture, nanotechnology has increased yield to potential market value, particularly for essential micronutrients essential for host defence.

Nanofiber mats containing lavender oil and methyl jasmonate as an innovative treatment to extend vase life in cut rose flowers

The study was carried out to assess the effects of nanofiber mats containing lavender oil (LO, 1.0%, 5.0%, and 10%) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA, 1.0%, 5.0%, and 10%) treatments on the microbial growth and vase life of the cut rose (Rosa hybrida 'Rhodos'). Distilled water was determined as the control treatment. In total, 18 treatments were used for the experiment. Our findings showed that nanofiber mat treatments have a significant effect on vase life and microbial growth. Roses treated with SPM10 [polycaprolactone (PCL)+ %10 MeJA+ 50 mg L−1 silver nanoparticle (SNP)] (13.0 d), PM10 (PCL+%10 MeJA) (10.7 d), and S50 (PCL+50 mg L−1 SNP) (10.3 d) had the longest vase life. On the contrary, roses treated with M250 (250 mg L−1 MeJA) had the shortest vase life (4.3 d). Also, it was observed that the vase life of roses in the SPM10 treatment was longer than that of the PM5 (PCL+%5.0 MeJA) (6.5 d) and M50 (50 mg L−1 MeJA) (7.5 d) treatments. In lavender-based mats, SPL1 (PCL+%1.0 LO+50 mg L−1 SNP) and SPL5 (PCL+%5.0 LO+50 mg L−1 SNP) treatments showed slower release than other treatments. About 90% of the nanofiber mats containing lavender oil and methyl jasmonate were released by d 5. PCL and PL5 (PCL+%5.0 LO) treatments reduced the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus relative to other treatments. Whereas the highest E. coli growth was observed in SPM10, and the highest S. aureus growth was observed in PM5 and lavender oil treatments. As a result, this study revealed that nanofiber mats can be used as a new postharvest technology to prolong the vase life of cut roses and delay microbial growth.

Herbaceous Peony Polyphenols Extend the Vase Life of Cut Flowers

Herbaceous peony is a potential material for cut flowers, but its short vase life seriously affects the development of cut herbaceous peony flowers industry. In this study, herbaceous peony polyphenols were applied to extend the vase life of cut flowers, and the results indicated that 8% mass concentration of herbaceous peony polyphenols increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities; increased the soluble protein content of the cut flowers; and effectively reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Meanwhile, herbaceous peony polyphenols increased the water balance value of cut flowers. In addition, the observation of microstructures indicated that herbaceous peony polyphenols reduced the blockage mainly caused by Aspergillus spp. at the stem ends and inhibited the growth of Aspergillus spp. Additionally, aquaporin genes (AQPs), including three plasma membrane intrinsic protein genes (PlPIP1;2, PlPIP2;1, and PlPIP2;2) and one intrinsic protein gene (PlNIP), were isolated. PlPIP1;2, PlPIP2;1, and PlPIP2;2, which were induced by polyphenol treatment, had common effects on maintaining the water balance of cut flowers. Therefore, herbaceous peony polyphenols can significantly extend the vase life of cut flowers; these results provide for the application of the theoretical reference of herbaceous peony polyphenols in extending the vase life of cut flowers.

Synergistic Effects of Silicon and Preservative on Promoting Postharvest Performance of Cut Flowers of Peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.).

As a commercial high-grade cut flower, the marketability of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is limited by its short vase life in water. Si (silicon) is an alternative to improve the postharvest life of cut flowers. However, the effects of the combined application of Si and preservatives on the postharvest performance of cut peony flowers are unknown. In this study, the effects of a Si application and a preservative alone and collegial on the longevity of the vase life, water loss, antioxidant defense system, and stock carbohydrates level of cut flowers of three peony cultivars were investigated. It was observed that Si effectively prolonged the vase life, while the preservative alone, to a lesser extent, but markedly induced an early flowering and a greater flower diameter (flower open degree). The simultaneous use of Si and the preservatives not only showed larger flowers, but also improved the postharvest performance as characterized by an extended vase life and delayed the water loss. In addition, the Si supplementation dramatically intensified the antioxidant defense system (ameliorated antioxidant enzymes and alleviated ROS accumulation) in petals but did not increase the stock carbohydrates (starch and soluble sugars) levels, as compared to the treatment with the preservative alone. We show that a Si supplementation to a preservative is highly recommended for a large-scale use to promote the postharvest performance and competitiveness of marketed cut flowers.

PlZFP mediates the combinatorial interactions of abscisic acid with gibberellin and ethylene during flower senescence in cut herbaceous peony

Short vase life is a main factor that limits herbaceous peony’s economic value. We found that in cut herbaceous peony, flower senescence was regulated by the combinatorial interactions among plant endogenous hormones. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactive effects are not well understood. In this study, we describe the identification of PlZFP, which influences flower senescence in herbaceous peony. PlZFP was upregulated during herbaceous peony flower senescence and its expression level was influenced by abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene and gibberellin (GA). PlZFP-silenced petal discs had longer lives while PlZFP-overexpressing transgenic tobacco had short flower longevity. Silencing PlZFP in petal discs reduced the transcript abundances of the endogenous hormone biosynthesis-related genes PlACO1, PlACO3, PlACS1, PlNCED2, and PlAAO and increased the transcript abundance of PlGA3ox1. Overexpression of PlZFP in tobacco flowers showed the opposite influences on these genes. Furthermore, PlZFP directly bound to the PlNCED2 promoter, and silencing PlNCED2 delayed senescence in discs. Silencing of PlZFP reduced ethylene production and ABA levels while increased GA levels in peony petal discs. Moreover, exogenous ABA, ethephon and paclobutrazol (PAC, a GA inhibitor), accelerate senescence in PlZFP-silenced discs. Taken together, the PlZFP-PlNCED2 regulatory checkpoint may positively affect the production of ABA and mediates the combinatorial interactions of ABA with GA and ethylene during flower senescence in cut herbaceous peony.

The vase life and quality of cut Gerbera jamesonii cv. 'Rosalin' flowers are affected by natural essential oils (in normal and nano forms) and nano-silver particles

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii, Asteraceae), is a perennial important commercial cut-flower crop. A major problem of gerbera cut flowers is short vase life mostly due to neck bending amongst other factors. This study aimed to screen the effects of the essential oils of thyme, clove and caraway in addition to nano-silver particles on vase life and on some parameters of gerbera cv. ‘Rosalin’ cut flowers. A factorial experiment was carried out with essential oils as first factor (in normal form at 25 and 50 mg/L) and Nano-silver as second factor (at 5 and 10 mg/L) in addition of distilled water as control. The measured traits were: vase solution uptake, relative fresh weight, flower vase life, neck bending, enzyme activity of polyphenol oxidase and catalase, anthocyanin pigment and phenols. Results indicated that essential oils have significantly affected vase life and vase solution uptake positively and reduced neck bending. The most effective treatments were caraway and clove oils in normal form at 50 mg/L and 25 mg/L, respectively. Similarly, a significant increase was observed on catalase. Whereas, nano-silver particles had an insignificant effect on neck bending. Still, a significant effect was detected on vase life and solution uptake.

PlMYB308 Regulates Flower Senescence by Modulating Ethylene Biosynthesis in Herbaceous Peony.

Herbaceous peony is an important cut-flower plant cultivated worldwide, but its short vase life substantially restricts its economic value. It is well established that endogenous hormones regulate the senescence process, but their molecular mechanism in flower senescence remains unclear. Here, we isolated a MYB transcription factor gene, PlMYB308, from herbaceous peony flowers, based on transcriptome data. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that PlMYB308 is strongly up-regulated in senescing petals, and its expression was induced by abscisic acid or ethylene and reduced by gibberellin in petals. Treatment with abscisic acid or ethylene accelerated herbaceous peony petal senescence, and gibberellin delayed the process. PlMYB308 silencing delayed peony flower senescence and dramatically increased gibberellin, but reduced ethylene and abscisic acid levels in petals. PlMYB308 ectopic overexpression in tobacco accelerated flower senescence and reduced gibberellin, but increased ethylene and abscisic acid accumulation. Correspondingly, five endogenous hormone biosynthetic genes showed variable expression levels in petals after PlMYB308 silencing or overexpression. A dual-luciferase assay and yeast one-hybrid analysis showed that PlMYB308 specifically binds the PlACO1 promoter. Moreover, treatment with ethylene and 1-MCP can accelerate PlMYB308 silencing-reduced senescence and delay PlMYB308- overexpression-induced senescence. We also found that PlACO1 silencing delayed senescence in herbaceous peony petals. Taken together, our results suggest that the PlMYB308-PlACO1 regulatory checkpoints positively mediate the production of ethylene, and thus contribute to senescence in herbaceous peony flowers.

Characterizing the effects of different chemicals on stem bending of cut snapdragon flower

BackgroundThis study investigated the effects of ethylene release compounds (ethephon), ethylene-action inhibitors (silver thiosulfate: STS), and nitric oxide donor (sodium nitroprusside: SNP) on stem bending of snapdragon flowers. Moreover, the effects of plant growth supplements [6-benzyladenine (BA), gibberellic acid 3 (GA3), and calcium chloride (CaCl2)] on the stem bending were also extensively investigated.ResultsEthephon completely prevented stem bending until 9 days after treatment (9 DAT). STS exhibited the highest bending rate, while SNP did not significantly affect the bending compared to the controls. The bending results were associated with the results of stem curvature, relative shoot elongation, ethylene production, and lignin content, that are involved in the stem bending mechanism. This was proven by the expression analysis of genes involved in ethylene and lignin biosynthetic pathways. The addition of plant growth supplements slightly or significantly delayed stem bending in the treatments (control, SNP, and STS) and significantly reduced petal senescence in ethephon at 9 DAT.ConclusionThese results show the preventive role of ethephon in the stem bending of cut snapdragon. Moreover, the combination of ethephon with supplements also provided information that could guide the development of strategies to delay stem bending in other cut flowers that undergo serious bending during a short vase life.

IMPACT OF VARIOUS PRESERVATIVE SOLUTIONS ON VASE LIFE AND POST-HARVEST QUALITY OF CUT ROSES

Short vase life and post-harvest losses of cut flowers are major threat to floriculture industry. There are different preservative solutions that have been used to extend the post-harvest life of cut flowers. Hence, this study was executed at Floriculture laboratory of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2018-2020 to explore the efficacy of different preservative solutions on vase life and post-harvest quality of cut roses. There were 6 treatments viz, (T1= Distilled water, T2= Silver nitrate @ 100 ppm, T3= 8-Hydroxyquiroline citrate @ 100 ppm, T4= Sodium thiosulphate @100 ppm, T5= Sodium benzoate @100 ppm, T6= Sucrose @ 40 g/L) and two rose cultivars Kardinal and Gold medal. The experiment was arranged according to complete randomized design (CRD). Results designated that longest vase life (15 days), maximum soluble solid contents (9.3 Brix) and longest opening period (7.4 days) were acquired with silver nitrate @100 ppm solution while maximum flower size (6.77 cm2) and largest head diameter (8.6 cm) were achieved with sodium thiosulphate when applied at the rate of 100 ppm in cultivar Kardinal. All other chemical solutions also displayed positive effects. Keeping in view the remarkable impact of Silver nitrate on vase life and quality of cut roses, it is recommended for commercial growers and cut flower industry for preservation of cut roses for longer time.

Comparative Analysis of the Quality of Domestically Distributed Cut Phalaenopsis Flowers Based on the Season and Place of Origin

This study compared and analyzed the qualities of cut Phalaenopsis “V3” flowers based on the place of origin and season. An investigation of the senescence type showed that flowers originating from Korea had a higher rate of aging than those from China across all three seasons. Consequently, the vase life was also 3–5 days longer for Chinese flowers than those for Korean flowers, regardless of the season. Furthermore, the vase life was the longest in autumn, followed by spring and summer, with statistically significant differences. With respect to flower diameter, Chinese cut phalaenopsis flowers were relatively larger than the Korean ones on day 1 of the experiment. As the senescence process of wilting was initiated earlier in Korean flowers with a shorter vase life, they showed higher reductions in flower diameters as well. The fresh weight, water uptake, and water balance were lower for Korean flowers than those for Chinese flowers starting on day 5 of the experiment across all three seasons. Korean cut phalaenopsis flowers experienced difficulties in maintaining water levels following their water uptake on day 1, which may have affected their vase life. Ethylene production showed a sharp increase on day 7 in Chinese cut flowers and day 5 in Korean cut flowers, with high amounts typically observed in spring, which coincided with the results of water loss. Hunter values L, a, and b and changes petal color ⊿E significantly differed not by place of origin but by season. Additionally, the sugar content of the solution inside the water tubes used when selling cut phalaenopsis flowers was investigated. Chinese flowers are subjected to pretreatment and posttreatment inside the water tube before being exported, while Korean flowers are treated with tap water. The Chinese flowers contained approximately seven times more sugar content compared to Korean flowers. This suggests that the treatment solution components, including sugar and other ingredients, of the Chinese cut flowers had a positive effect on water uptake and lowered the sensitivity to ethylene, which seemed to have an effect on the long vase life and quality. If Korean cut flowers are also distributed using a treatment agent, it is expected that the vase life will be improved and the satisfaction of consumers will be increased. However, since there are several possibilities that can affect post-harvest quality, it seems that additional experiments are needed. Moreover, as flower quality decreases in summer compared to those in spring or autumn, it will be necessary to reduce the differences in quality between seasons.

The effect of exogenous methyl jasmonate and brassinosteroid on physicochemical traits, vase life, and gray mold disease of cut rose (Rosa hybrida L.) flowers

The Rosa hybrida L. is an attractive cut flower that has a short vase life due to the decrease in its quality during the post-harvesting storage. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the effectiveness of pre-harvest MeJA and 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) application on different post-harvest quality characters, gray mold disease, and vase life of cut roses. The experiment was conducted as a split-plot in time based on a complete randomized design with three replications. The two experimental factors were included treatment [water, 0.1 and 0.2 µm of MeJA, 1 and 2 µm of EBR, Botrytis cinerea infection (Bot), 0.1 mM MeJA + Bot, 0.2 µM MeJA + Bot, 1 µM EBR + Bot, 2 µM EBR + Bot] and, sampling time (3, 7 and 10 days after harvesting). ANOVA showed that the effects of interaction between two factors were significant on catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, membrane stability index (MSI), anthocyanin, total soluble sugar (TSS), relative fresh weight, and water content (RFW and RWC), and cut roses vase life (P < 0.01). The results revealed that CAT and SOD activities, MSI, anthocyanin, TSS, RWC, and RFW were decreased, while the pre-harvest application of MeJA and EBR were enhanced the aforementioned traits and induced resistance against B. cinerea infection which led to increasing vase life of cut roses. Also, the application of 0.2 mM of MeJA were more effective to promote the quality and longevity of cut roses during the post-harvesting stage.

Promotion of flower opening in cut rose cultivars by 1-naphthaleneacetic acid treatment

ABSTRACT Improving the quality and rate of opening of cut flowers is important to meet consumer demand. Thus, it is important to develop methods to control the rate of flower opening and senescence in ornamental plants. In this study, we investigated the effects of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in flower opening in rose (Rosa sp.) cultivars Princess Meg, Red Star and Madrid. Cut roses were maintained under different concentrations of NAA. Shoot bases were immersed in water solution containing 0, 100, and 1,000 μM NAA, in addition to 2% w/v sucrose with 0.02% w/v 8-hydroxyquinoline monohydrate. Subsequently, their vase life, flower opening, flower diameter and petal weight were measured. Flower opening in all three cultivars was clearly promoted by the 1,000 μM NAA treatment, resulting in higher petal fresh weight and flower diameter at 2 days following treatment. 100 μM NAA treatment also promoted flower opening and petal wilting in three cultivars, although the decrease in relative fresh weight of cut rose became slower and vase-life became longer than 1,000 μM NAA treatment in “Madrid”. This indicates that NAA promotes flower opening and petal growth in three cut rose cultivars. However, NAA treatment also promoted petal wilting, resulting in shorter vase-life. Although rose cultivars differed in their sensitivity to the NAA treatment, we conclude that NAA shows high potential as a chemical agent for controlling flower opening in cut rose cultivars.

EXTENDING VASE LIFE OF CUT Strelitzia reginae Aiton FLOWERS BY COBALT CHLORIDE, CERIUM NITRATE, SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND NANOSIL

Cut flowers of Strelitzia reginae Aiton (Strelitziaceae) generally have a short vase life. Vascular blockage is a major reason for this. In this paper, we evaluated the effects of pulse treatment with disinfectants including cobalt chloride (CoCl2), cerium nitrate (Ce(NO3)3), silver nanoparticles (SNP) and Nanosil on the vase life and physiological characteristics of cut S. reginae flowers stems. Cut flowers kept in the vase solution containing these disinfectants showed significant increase in solution uptake, the content of total protein and pigments of petals, the activities of antioxidantive active enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Also, the number of stem-end bacteria and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in cut flowers were decreased as compared to control. Based on obtained results, we introduce Ce(NO3)3 as the most effective treatment to extend the vase life of cut S. reginae flowers. More so with the concentration of 300 µM which induced the maximum solution uptake and SOD and APX activities that resulted in the longest vase life. Findings of the present study suggested that Ce(NO3)3 prolonged postharvest longevity of S. reginae by increasing the solution uptake and SOD and APX activity and decreasing the MDA content. The use of Ce(NO3)3 reduces the use of chemicals and make saving in costs. The highest bacterial population of micro-organisms on cut stem ends were Escherichia coli, Bacillus, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Cerium nitrate had the strongest effect on reduction of these bacterial population and yeast.

Pre- and/or Postharvest Silicon Application Prolongs the Vase Life and Enhances the Quality of Cut Peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) Flowers.

Peony is an important ornamental plant and has become increasingly popular for cut flower cultivation. However, a short vase life and frequent poor vase quality severely restrict its market value. The study described herein was conducted to investigate the effects of silicon application on the vase life and quality of two cut peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) cultivars, ‘Taebaek’ and ‘Euiseong’. For pre- and/or postharvest silicon application, four experimental groups based on treatments were designed. With silicon treatment, the relevant growth attributes, including the shoot and leaf lengths, stem and bud diameters as well as the leaf width were all remarkably increased. In the postharvest storage, the addition of silicon to the holding solution in the vase was able to significantly extend vase life, delay fresh weight decrease, and improve vase quality, as characterized by the antioxidant enzyme activities and mechanical stem strength. Taken together, silicon application, regardless of the approach, was able to effectively prolong the vase life and enhance the quality of cut peony flowers.