Effect of salicylic acid and nitric oxide on postharvest quality and senescence of cut gerbera flowers

Abstract

Gerbera flowers have a short vase life after harvest characterized by stem bending and flower withering. In the present study, the efficacy of salicylic acid (1 mM and 2 mM) and sodium nitroprusside (0.5 mM and 1 mM) along with sucrose (2%) was tested to delay its senescence and extend its display life during storage at ambient condition. The control flowers were kept in distilled water with only 2% sucrose. Results showed that addition of 2 mM salicylic acid in vase solution was found highly effective in minimizing fresh weight loss, stem bending, flower withering and loss of anthocyanin pigments. This treatment showed extended vase life of the flowers by reducing membrane lipid peroxidation and higher uptake of treatment solutions. However, flowers treated with sodium nitroprusside (a nitric oxide donor) were not found effective in preserving postharvest quality and extending vase life of flowers. Findings of the study revealed that dipping of cut gerbera flowers in vase solution containing 2 mM salicylic acid is beneficial in extending its vase life.