Role of salicylic acid in decreases of membrane senescence in cut carnation flowers

Abstract

The effects of Salicylic acid and sucrose on the ACC-oxidase (ACO) activity, bacteria populations in vase flower preservative solution, anthocyanin leakage, Membrane stability and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content of cut flowers of carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv.White) were investigated. In this study, cut flowers of carnation were treated with Factor Salicylic acid (0,1.5, 3 mM) and sucrose (0, 3%). The vase were placed in chambers at 25°C, relative humidity about 70% and 14 h photoperiod that was maintained using fluorescent lamps (light intensity of 15 μmol m -2 sec -1) at the top of the corolla. The experimental results showed that SA treatment cause decrease malondi aldehyde content and ACC-oxidase activity while the membrane stability was improved. Results also, showed that the best treatment involved 1.5 mM SA+ sucrose 3%. The vase solution containing 1.5 mM salicylic acid + sucrose 3% significantly decrease malondi aldehyde content, ACC-oxidase activity and bacteria populations in vase flower preservative solution while increase the vase life and Membrane stability of carnation cut flower compared to the control. Results suggest that salicylic acid and sucrose increases Membrane stability by decrease malondialdehyde content, ACC-oxidase activity and bacteria populations in vase flower preservative solution of the carnation cut flowers. This study shows that Salicylic acid and sucrose treatment did show significant effect on quality parameters and carnation flower longevity. Salicylic acid and sucrose proved more effective in delaying petal senescence and/or flower wilting. However, our result showed that Salicylic acid and sucrose treatments maintained the vase life of flowers for a longer period. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.