Promotion of flower opening of spray-type carnation cut flowers by 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid, a simple analog of pyridinedicarboxylic acids (PDCAs) including 2,3-and 2,4-PDCAs

Abstract

Pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) analogs extend the vase life of spray-type (SP) carnation flowers by accelerating flower opening and retarding senescence. Among the PDCA analogs, 2,3-PDCA and 2,4-PDCA are equally and highly effective. In the present study, we characterized the promotion of flower opening by PDCAs and their analogs, pyridinecarboxylic acids. The present results showed that 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (3-PCA), and its derivative, 3-PCA amide, are most active in accelerating flower opening of ‘Light Pink Barbara’ carnation cut flowers. 3-PCA treatment promoted flower opening in cut flowers of many SP carnation cultivars, that had been stored dry at 2–4°C for 3 weeks and resulted in extension of their display time.