The retardation of floral senescence by simultaneous action of nano silver and AVG in cut flowers, which have distinct sensitivities to ethylene and water stress

• Published in: Horticulture, environment and biotechnology 2023, Environment, and Biotechnology, 64(6), , pp.927-941
• Main Authors: Ha, Suong Tuyet Thi, In, Byung-Chun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; aminoethoxyvinylglycine; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biosynthesis; Combined treatment; cut flowers; Dianthus caryophyllus; Economics; Ethylene; Flowers; Genes; leaves; Life Sciences; Longevity; nanosilver; Petals; Plant Breeding/Biotechnology; Plant Ecology; Plant Physiology; Preservatives; Profitability; Research Report; Senescence; shelf life; species; Turgor; vase life; Water damage; Water deficit; Water stress; Wilting; 농학
• ISSN: 2211-3452; 2211-3460
• DOI: 10.1007/s13580-023-00538-7

Water stress and ethylene damage often cause early senescence symptoms in various cut flower species during the vase period, as indicated by symptoms such as leaf/flower wilting or bent neck. This shortens the vase life of cut flowers, which limits their profitability. Here, combined treatment with nano silver and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (NS + AVG) was evaluated as a novel control strategy to reduce water deficit stress and ethylene damage in the three cut flower species. The effectiveness of NS + AVG was compared with those of the control (CON) and individual treatments with two commercial preservatives (Chrysal and Floralife). NS + AVG delayed the symptoms of senescence and extended the longevity of cut flowers by 4.5 d (carnations), 3.2 d (lisianthus), and 3.0 d (roses), compared with those of flowers in the CON group. Compared with Chrysal and Floralife, NS + AVG was more effective in prolonging the postharvest life of cut flowers. NS + AVG also improved the fresh weight and solution uptake of cut flowers during the vase period, compared with those of CON flowers. NS + AVG prevented water stress and increased the mRNA levels of aquaporin-related genes in the petals of cut flowers, which helped maintain cell turgor and improved flower opening. NS + AVG effectively reduced ethylene damage by suppressing the mRNA levels of ethylene biosynthesis-related genes in the petals of cut roses and carnations. NS + AVG also reduced the transcript levels of senescence-related genes ( DcCP1 and RhSIG ) and promoted a senescence-inhibiting gene ( DcCPi ) in the petals of cut carnation and rose flowers, thus delaying petal senescence. Our findings indicate that the NS + AVG treatment is effective in improving the postharvest quality and longevity of various cut flower species.