EVALUATION OF SEVERAL AG+ SOURCES AND SOME ESSENTIAL OILS FOR PROLONGING VASE LIFE OF GERBERA CUT FLOWERS CV. "JULIA"

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, A.R.C., Egypt

2 Vegetables and Floriculture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

this study was conducted at Sahl El-Husseinieh Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt at 2016 and 2017 seasons. This study conducted to evaluate the effect of different Ag+ sources i.e silver nanoparticles, silver nitrate and silver thiosulphate and some essential oils i.e. thyme, rosemary and lavender on postharvest quality of the cut Gerbera jamesonii cv. " Julia" flowers. The holding solutions containing thyme or rosemary or lavender + sucrose as antimicrobial agents were more effective than 8-HQS + sucrose. The maximum solution uptake and vase-life were recorded by holding solution of SNP at 9 mg-1 + 30 g-1 sucrose compared to essential oils or 8-HQS + sucrose solutions. SNP concentrations were used as pulsing solutions surpassed significantly in most postharvest parameters compared to all AgNO3 treatments. All SNP treatments had a sharp increase in fresh weight on the 2nd day and they reached their maximum fresh weight on the 4th days than other treatments. There were no differences between AgNO3 and STS as dipping solution in prolonged vase life, enhancing water relation and fresh weight. AgNO3 treatments were significantly reduced bacteria growth in vase solutions more than STS treatments. However, the stem flowers dipped in STS for 20 min then held in 8-HQS + sucrose proved more effective an increasing the level of lignin and anthocyanin. It was noted that, the increase of anthocyanin in radial flowers was accompanied with increased life span of flowers in the façade. Microscopic viewing of vessels showed that SNP prevented the growth of bacteria at the end of the stem flower resulting that an improved water absorption and flower vase extended life.

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