Effect of Gibberellin A3 on leaf yellowing and vase life of cut Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis flowers

Abstract

Effect of gibberellin A3 (GA3) on the leaf yellowing and vase life of cut flowers of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis was examined. Chlorophyll contents of the leaves in the cut spikes or cut leaves were measured with a SPAD meter or spectrophotometer. Continuous and pulse treatments (20 hr) of the cut leaves with GA3, especially at 100 μM, delayed the degradation of chlorophyll. In cut spikes, the yellowing of leaves was delayed by the treatment with GA3 at 12 °C and 23 °C, but the effect was greater at 12 °C. Both continuous and pulse treatments extended the vase life of the flowers at 23 °C, but only continuous treatment did so at 12°C. The treatment with GA3 did not promote the elongation of cut leaves and peduncles. In conclusion, the treatment with GA3 will be useful for improving the vase life of cut N. tazetta var. chinensis flowers.