ii-effect of some chemical treatments on keeping quality...

Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research ISSN 2077-4605

Volume : 06 | Issue : 01 | Jan.-Mar. | 2017 Pages:221-243

Corresponding Author: Ola A. Amin, Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Res. Dept., Hort. Res. Inst., ARC, Egypt. E-mail: [email protected]

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II-Effect of some Chemical Treatments on Keeping Quality and Vase Life of Cut Chrysanthemum Flowers

b. Effect of salicylic acid and some preservative solutions on postharvest quality of cut chrysanthemum

Ola A. Amin

Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Res. Dept., Hort. Res. Inst., ARC, Egypt.

Received: 25 February 2017 / Accepted: 27 March 2017 / Publication date: 30 March 2017 ABSTRACT

Chrysanthemum is one of the most common cut flowers and has the highest economic importance in the floriculture industry. Vase life differs among various species and cultivars. It is one of the most valuable characteristics for determining flower quality, satisfying consumer preferences and prolonging its commercial value. Maintenance of optimal water status is the most important factor for enhancing vase life period. This study was conducted at Postharvest Lab. of Floriculture Res. Dept. Hort. Res. Inst. ARC, Giza, Egypt during 2014 and 2015 seasons to study the effect of some preservative solutions at different concentrations on three cultivars of cut chrysanthemum. Results indicated that many aspects of postharvest quality such as longevity, loss of water, uptake rates, relative fresh weight and flower head diameters were significantly influenced by different types of preservative combinations. These treatments in the first experiment were salicylic acid (SA) at 10 mg/l as a holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l), SA (15 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l), SA (25 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l), (10 mg/l) as spray + SA (10 mg/l) as holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l), (15 mg/l) as spray + SA (10 mg/l) as holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l), (10 mg/l) as spray + SA (25 mg/l) as holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l) in the first experiment, while in the second experiment they comprise glycerol at 15 g/l + citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l and 45 g/l+ citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l, ethanol at 3%+ citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l and 5%+ citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l, tap water + 8-HQC at 0.2 g/l+ citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l and tap water. In the first experiment, salicylic acid influenced post harvest characteristics, suggesting a potential application of salicylic acid as a substitute for chemicals commonly used in preservative solutions. In the second experiment, the best treatment was ethanol at 3% as it increased vase life, decreased water loss, enhanced relative fresh weight and diameter of flower heads.

Key words: Chrysanthemum, salicylic acid (SA), ethanol, glycerol, tap water, water loss, longevity.

Introduction

Chrysanthemum cut flowers (Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ram.) recently Dendranthema grandiflora, Ramat. belongs to Family Asteraceae. Chrysanthemum is one of the most common cut flowers and of the highest economic importance in the floriculture industry for decoration and adornment and are also traded both as potted plants and cut flowers in world markets. Today it represents has the world's second class economy followed by roses. Cut flowers of chrysanthemum are widely used in two types namely, standard (one flower on the stem) and spray (multiple flowers on the stem).

Short shelf life of cut flowers is related to wilting, ethylene production and vascular blockage by air and microorganisms (Elgimabi, 2011). Incorporation of different chemical preservatives to the holding solution is recommended to prolong the vase life of cut flowers, reduce microbial build up and vascular blockage, increase water uptake of the stem, and arrest the negative effect of ethylene.

Citric acid: adding (CA) to vase solution reduce latex flow from the stem cut surface, delay the closure of xylem, maintain water balance and decrease bacterial proliferation in the vase solution, thus avoiding obstruction of the xylem vessels (Imsabai et al., 2013; Capdeville et al., 2003).

Middle East J. Agric. Res., 6(1): 221-243, 2017 ISSN: 2077-4605

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Sucrose act as a source of nutrition for tissues approaching carbohydrate starvation. It may also act as an osmotically active molecule, thereby having a role in subsequent water relations (Kuiper et al., 1995). Hence, the use of sucrose (with or without certain biocides and preservatives) as pulsing solutions could be of practical significance in prolonging the vase life of cut flowers and foliage (Cameron and Ride, 2001). Keeping the flowers in vase solutions containing sucrose has been shown to extend their vase-life (Yamane et al., 2005).

Tap water is mostly used as a vase solution; however, its composition also affects the efficacy of chemical solutions being made from it, including pulsing, holding and bud opening solutions (Brecheisen et al., 1995). The longevity of cut flowers is greatly affected by vase water composition, which is one of the major challenges for florists today (Ahmad et al., 2013a).

Hydroxyqunoline prevents the growth of microorganisms in xylem vessels, maintaining water uptake and extending flower vase life (Asrar, 2012). Combining HQS and sucrose increased flower quality and vase life of gladiolus (Beura et al., 2011). The same was stated by Dung et al. (2016) who found that vase solutions containing HQS were effective in improving vase life of waxflower. Parallel to this, holding solution containing 8-HQS+sucrose reduced the respiration rate and physiological loss in weight of Dendrobium hybrid Sonia-17 (Dineshbabu et al., 2002). 8-HQC extended flower longevity of rose cut flowers (Tiwari and Singh, 2002).

Glycerol as an anti-transpiration agent is grouped into three categories (Prakash and Ramachandran, 2000), firstly film-forming types (e.g. glycerol). Secondly, reflecting materials which reflect the radiation falling on the upper surface of the leaves and thirdly stomatal closing types such as MgCO3 and Na2CO3 which affect the metabolic processes in leaf tissues (Shanan and Shalaby, 2011).

Ethanol is one of the anti-ethylene compounds that reduces ethylene activity, delays leaf chlorosis and reduces vascular blockage. Ethanol and methanol improve vase life of cut chrysanthemum (Petridou et al., 2001). Farokhzad et al. (2005) reported that use of ethanol inhibited ethylene production and increased water uptake in cut lisianthus. Low concentration of ethanol decreased the formation of ethylene, because it inhibited the action of ACC synthesase, thereby affecting flower wilting, abscission, scar and color change (Hossain et al., 2007). Ethanol is one of the most effective chemicals in preserving quality of carnation by inhibiting ethylene biosynthesis and its action (Wu et al., 1992 and Pun et al., 1999)

Salicylic acid (SA) is an endogenous growth regulator of phenolic nature, SA is considered as a hormone-like substance which plays an important role in regulating a number of physiological processes and provide protection against biotic and abiotic stresses in plant. SA is naturally produced by plants as a secondary metabolite. SA plays various important roles in plant growth and development such as: ethylene biosynthesis, stomatal conductance, respiration and defense in different types of plants (Loutfy et al., 2012). SA has a vital role in plant defense and is implicated in the activation of defense systems against different pathogens (Grant and Lamb, 2006 and Miura et al., 2010). Dumitras et al. (2002) stated that SA increased vase life of gerbera and gladiolus.

The present experiment was designed mainly to evaluate suitable vase solution for flowers of cut chrysanthemum and to test chemical preservatives as holding solution and identify the best biocide solution combination with sucrose to extend the vase life of some cut chrysanthemum varieties.

Material and Methods

This study was conducted at the Postharvest Laboratory of Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Res. Dept., Hort. Res. Inst., Giza, Egypt in February of the two seasons of 2014 and 2015 to find out the response of cut chrysanthemum flowers to some preservative solutions.

Plant material:

Cut flower stems of three chrysanthemum cultivars: Arctic Queen, Marabou and Pink Loly Pop were

freshly obtained from the local commercial greenhouses of Floramix Farm (El-Mansouria, Giza) in each season. Flowers were picked in the early morning (standard for export) and directly wrapped in groups and


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quickly transported to the laboratory within 2 hours. As soon as in the lab, stems were firstly pre-cooled by placing in cold water for half an hour to remove the effect of high field heat. Thereafter, stem bases were recut under water to avoid air embolism. Stems were adjusted to the same length (65cm) and shape. Injury free stems were selected for the experiment.

Experimental design and treatments:

The study consists of two experiments:

First experiment: Seven treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Stems of

flowers were placed in a glass bottles (500 ml) containing 400 ml of one of the following holding solutions at different levels: 1. Distilled water (control). 2. Salicylic acid (10 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l). 3. Salicylic acid (15 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l). 4. Salicylic acid (25 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l). 5. Salicylic acid (10 mg/l) as a spray + SA (10 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20g/l). 6. Salicylic acid (15 mg/l) as a spray + SA (10 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20g/l). 7. Salicylic acid (25 mg/l) as a spray + SA (10 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20g/l). After that, each bottle was covered at its mouth with cellophane wrap to prevent evaporation. Second experiment:

Seven treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Stems of flowers were placed in glass bottles (500 ml) containing 400 ml of one of the following holding solutions at different levels: 1. Distilled water (control). 2. Tap water. 3. Tap water + 8-HQC at 0.2 g/l + citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l. 4. Glycerol at15 g/l + citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l. 5. Glycerol at 45 g/l + citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l. 6. Ethanol at 3%+ citric acid at 0.2 g/l +sucrose at 20 g/l. 7. Ethanol at 5%+ citric acid at 0.2 g/l +sucrose at 20 g/l. The mouth of each bottle was covered with cellophane wrap to prevent evaporation. Chemical analysis of tap water (meq/l):

pH 7.0 Ca++ 1.3 EC (dS/m) 0.42 Mg++ 0.9

HCO-3 1.2 Na+ 2.1 Cl- 2.2 K+ 0.1

SO-4 1.0

Experimental measurements: Longevity: The time from the start of treatment until the senescence of flowers (days). Water loss: Cumulative water loss was recorded for the entire period of vase life of the flower

stalk (g/flower stem). Water uptake: Cumulative water uptake was recorded for the entire period of vase life of the

flower stalk (g/flower stem). Relative fresh weight: The fresh weight of cut flowers was recorded daily in 1,3,…etc. during the

experiment. Relative fresh weight of stems was calculated using the following formula : FW (%) = Fresh weight of stem in mentioned day ×100 Fresh weight of stem in zero day


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according to He et al. (2006). Dry matter: At the end of flower vase life, fresh weight of flower stem of each treatment was

determined then it was dried to a constant weight in an oven for 24 h at 72°C. Dry matter percentage of cut flowers was calculated by the following equation:

DM (%) = dry weight/fresh weight × 100 according to Hashemabadi et al. (2015). Flower head diameter (cm). Chemical analyses: chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids (mg/100 g fw) were determined in

fresh leaf samples at the end of longevity according to Saric et al. (1967). Total and reducing sugars (%) in flowers were determined colorimetrically according to Dubois et al. (1956). Anthocyanins (%) in flowers were determined colorimetrically according to Husia et al. (1965).

Experimental conditions:

Flower stalks were placed in ambient conditions at 21±1 °C, light level was about15 µmol m²־S¹־ partially from natural light and partially from fluorescent cool light for 12h/day.

Statistical analysis:

Data were tabulated and subjected to analysis of variance as a factorial experiment using MSTAT-C statistical software (1985) and the means of treatments were compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% level as indicated by Waller and Duncan (1969). Results and Discussion

First experiment:-

Longevity:-

Data presented in Table (1) revealed that vase life span of cut chrysanthemum flower held in solutions containing salicylic acid at different concentrations (whether as holding or spraying followed by holding) were significantly prolonged more than that of the control treatment. The most effective treatment was salicylic acid at 15 mg/l as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l), as this increased flower’s vase life span up to 17 days, over the control flowers. This was the most influential treatment as it reached 36-35.33 days in the two seasons, compared to the control (18.78-18.31 days) which occupied the second rank in this concern. Combining between salicylic acid at 10 mg/l as holding solution and sucrose (20 g/l) gave less vase life period but extended longevity of cut flowers with a highly significant difference, recording 34.67-33.66 days, whilst the control flowers achieved 18.78-18.31 days. This may be attributed to the involvement of several factors, and the role of SA in enhancing longevity of cut flowers. It may be due to the antimicrobial properties that could prevent vascular blockage and improve water uptake, which enhanced water relations and prevents water stress and wilting of petals, leading to vase life increase (Hashemabadi et al., 2013). SA is known to be a bactericide that reduces bacteria growth and vascular blockage, maintains a more favorable water uptake and suppresses water loss (Mori et al., 2001).

SA is an antioxidant agent. It increases vase life by improving the antioxidant system and reduces oxidative stress damage, stimulates higher activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reducing deteriorative enzyme activity such as Lipoxygenase (LOX) during flower senescence. Ataii et al.(2015) cited that SA is able to prolong vase life and delay flower senescence by maintaining membrane integrity, which is a result of decreasing LOX enzyme activity, responsible for membrane lipid peroxidation, and increase antioxidant catalase enzymes (CAT) and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, which led to diminishing H2O2 accumulation. The effects of SA treatment on retarding flower senescence was due to increased antioxidant enzyme activities and thus reducing lipid peroxidation and maintaining membrane stability, as assayed by electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. This was in line with findings of Bahrami et al. (2013) on cut


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lisianthus and Gerailoo and Ghasemnezhad (2011) on rose flower. Mansouri (2012) on chrysanthemum showed that salicylic acid at low concentrations (0.01% and 0.1%) prolonged vase life by preserving membrane stability and reducing lipid peroxidation. Another approach to explain the role of SA in extending shelf life period is that SA acts as a plant growth regulator and plays an important role in plant growth and affects many physiological processes in plant at low concentration (Alaey et al., 2011).

Table 1: Effect of holding solution treatments on longevity (days) of three cultivars chrysanthemum flowers during the vase life period of 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Treatments Cultivars

1st Season 2nd Season Pink Loly

Pop Arctic Queen

Marabou Mean Pink Loly

Pop Arctic Queen

Marabou Mean

Distilled water 24.00i 20.00j 12.33m 18.78F 23.00h 20.00i 12.00l 18.31E Salicylic acid (10 mg/l)as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

41.00gh 47.00b 16.00k 34.67B 41.00ef 46.00b 14.00k 33.66B

Salicylic acid (15 mg/l) as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

44.00de 50.00a 14.00lm 36.00A 43.00cd 49.33a 13.67kl 35.33A


43.00ef 42.33fg 13.33lm 32.89D 42.00de 41.67d-f 13.33kl 32.33C

Salicylic acid (10 mg/l) as spray +SA(10mg/l)as holding plus sucrose (20g/l).

40.00h 40.00h 13.67lm 31.22E 39.00g 39.00g 13.00kl 30.33D

Salicylic acid (15mg/l) as spray +SA(10mg/l)as holding plus sucrose (20g/l).

41.00gh 45.00cd 14.33l 33.44CD 41.00ef 44.33c 13.67kl 33.00BC


42.00fg 45.67bc 15.00kl 34.22BC 40.00fg 44.00c 15.67j 33.22BC

Mean 39.29B 41.43A 14.09C 38.43B 40.62A 13.62C Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05

In relation to the interaction between cultivars and holding solutions, data in the same table cleared that the former treatment helped in extending the vase life period of Marabou. The most effective holding solution for other cultivars was salicylic acid at 15 mg/l as a holding solution and sucrose at 20 g/l which gave more than double vase life for Arctic Queen (50-49.33 days) in both seasons, compared to the control (20 days).

Results of the present experiment were in line with those of previous researches who revealed that salicylic acid treatments significantly extend vase life of cut flowers. Jamshidi et al. (2012) and Mehdikhah et al. (2016) reported that salicylic acid increased vase life of cut gerbera flowers. Hatamzadeh et al. (2012) found that salicylic acid reduced water loss and delayed senescence of gladiolus flower stems. Abri et al. (2013) showed that for the maximum vase life cut roses ‘Royal Class’ should be pulsed in salicylic acid. Tehranifar et al. (2013) observed that the addition of salicylic acid to clean distilled water extended the vase life of Alstroemeria peruviana, Gerbera jamesonii, Lilium asiaticum, Polianthes tuberosa and Rosa hybrida by 30-55% relative to the control. Salicylic acid treatments increased relative water content, petal water content and initial fresh weight in cut flowers. The beneficial effects of salicylic acid are associated with the plant regulating and anti-stress properties of salicylic acid.

All this confirms the fact that SA is a natural, cheap, safe, and a biodegradable compound which is a suitable alternative for conventional chemical treatments in order to prolong vase life of cut rose flowers (Abdolmaleki et al., 2015). The treatment with distilled water (as a control) gave the shortest vase life period that was characterized by poor water relations in association with lower water uptake (probably due to growth of microbes and vascular blockage), high rate of transpiration and water loss, as noticed by Mehraj et al. (2016). Cut flowers of Arctic Queen recorded the highest performance in comparison with Pink Loly Pop and Marabou. Water loss:-

It is evident from data presented in Table (2) that rates of water loss in cut chrysanthemum stems decreased by the various concentrations of salicylic acid, during vase period with different averages.


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Cut stems held in distilled water (D.W.) promoted rate of water loss in cut flowers of chrysanthemum (168.2-166.2 g/flower) consecutively in the two seasons. Close to this ratio were 164.6-162.4 g/flower, achieved by cut flowers held in SA at 10 mg/l as holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l) after spraying with salicylic acid at 10 mg/l. On the other hand, the best results which gave the lowest levels of water loss were observed when salicylic acid was applied as spray prior to holding cut stems in solution containing SA + sucrose, which attained 126.1-123.2 g/flower, while the control attained 168.2-166.2 g/flower, respectively in both seasons. Salicylic acid suppressed water loss more than the control treatment. This effect of SA may be due to its antimicrobial activity (thus inhibiting vascular blockage), increases water uptake and decreases transpiration rate, thereby enhancing water balance of cut flowers. Several reports are in accordance with the previous gains, such as those of Photochanachai et al. (2006) and Joseph et al. (2010) who suggested that salicylic acid is considered a coating material that prevents water loss and allow gases to permeate but not liquids, allowing normal plant respiration and reduces transpiration. Parallel to this, Chen and Joyce (2017) mentioned that SA evidently extended the vase life of cut Acacia holosericea foliage by inhibiting water loss and maintaining RFW during the vase period. Danaee et al. (2013a) found that SA treatments affect postharvest life of cut flowers, probably via declining bacterial growth, reducing vascular blockage, reducing transpiration, preventing ethylene formation and inducing antioxidant system in treated cut flowers, thereby delaying the senescence process. Hatamzadeh et al. (2012) postulated that salicylic acid reduced water loss and delayed senescence of gladiolus flower stalks.

Table 2: Effect of holding solution treatments on water loss (g/flower) of three cultivars chrysanthemum flowers during the vase life period of 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Treatments Cultivars


Pop Arctic Queen

Marabou Mean Pink

Loly Pop Arctic Queen

Marabou Mean

Distilled water 123.3fg 237.0a 144.3e 168.2A 120.7hi 234.0a 144.0f 166.2A Salicylic acid (10 mg/l)as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

125.0fg 186.5d 126.5fg 146.0C 122.5hi 184.3d 124.7h 143.8C


128.8f 179.1d 112.7hi 140.2D 124.6h 176.7e 111.0jk 137.4D


126.2fg 223.0b 120.9fg 156.7B 116.1ij 222.8b 119.6hi 152.8B


138.9e 229.4b 125.6fg 164.6A 136.3g 227.2ab 123.8hi 162.4A


108.8i 185.5d 118.3gh 137.5D 102.4l 182.0de 116.7ij 133.7D


72.96j 198.8c 106.6i 126.1E 69.11m 195.1c 105.4kl 123.2E

Mean 117.7C 205.6A 122.1B 113.1C 203.2A 120.7B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05

Table (2) showed that cut flowers treated with salicylic acid (10 mg/l) + sucrose (20g/l) after spraying flowers with 25 mg/l SA, exhibited the lowest water loss in Pink Loly Pop which exhibited reduced losses to 72.96-69.11 g/flower, compared to the control (123.3-120.7 g/flower) and Marabou which gave 106.6-105.4 g/flower compared to 144.3-144.0g/flower produced by the control. Furthermore, with regard to the interaction between holding solution and cultivars, it was apparent that Arctic Queen flower kept in preservative solution composed of salicylic acid (10 mg/l) + sucrose (20 g/l), gave the greatest rate of water loss compared to other cultivars.


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Water uptake: It can be seen from data averaged in Table (3) that salicylic acid (25 mg/l) as a holding solution

plus sucrose (20 g/l) was the best application in raising the amount of uptake, with a slight increment but non significant compared to the control in both seasons.

In regard to the interaction effect, previous data cleared that Pink Loly Pop and Arctic Queen were more affected by treatment with salicylic acid (25 mg/l) as a holding solution plus sucrose (20 g/l) which enhanced absorption and gave the maximum values compared to other treatments including the control. This effect may be ascribed to salicylic acid as an antimicrobial in inhibiting vascular blockage, thereafter increase the water uptake due to its acidifying and stress alleviating properties, as described by Mori et al. (2001) and Capdeville et al.(2003) who stated that SA reduced pH of water and the consequently proliferation of bacteria was reduced. Salicylic acid has an essential function in regulating plant developmental processes that affect nutrients uptake and status (Rubio et al., 2009). Mehraj et al. (2016) indicated that chemicals like salicylic acid decreased microbial growth and prevented vascular blockage. All of those authors indicated the role of SA to maximizing the amount of water absorbed by cut flowers. These effects have been confirmed by Jamshidi et al. (2012) who cited that SA affects solution uptake in cut gerbera and cut alstroemeria. Tirtashi et al. (2014) showed that salicylic acid induced the highest water uptake. Similarly, Roodbaraky et al. (2012) evaluated the effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid on vase life of cut carnation and stated that salicylic acid enhanced water uptake compared the control treatment. Hassani and Karimi (2016) found that SA increased water uptake in cut rose.

Regarding the effect of cultivars, the difference between cultivars was very clear in response to various treatments. Arctic Queen had the highest value of water uptake, whilst Pink Loly Pop had the minimal value, which may be due to differences in xylem anatomy. Nijsse et al. (2001b) realized that variability among cultivars to water uptake may be due to differences in xylem anatomy, which has been shown to greatly influence hydraulic conductivity. Table 3: Effect of holding solution treatments on water uptake (g/flower) of three cultivars chrysanthemum

flowers during the vase life period of 2014 and 2015 seasons. Treatments

Cultivars


Pop Arctic Queen Marabou Mean

Pink Loly Pop

Arctic Queen Marabou Mean

Distilled water 84.03h 196.7a 125.6d 135.4A 84.03k 193.0b 123.7f 133.6A Salicylic acid (10 mg/l)as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

97.34fg 173.8b 113.5e 128.2B 95.93hi 171.4c 112.4g 126.6B


90.35gh 200.6a 95.65fg 128.9B 87.66jk 199.1ab 94.43h-j 127.1B


99.45f 201.6a 108.2e 136.4A 96.44hi 200.5a 106.6g 134.5A


96.71fg 200.7a 109.7e 135.7A 92.80ij 197.9ab 108.6g 133.1A


76.25i 156.2c 100.8f 111.1C 72.84l 153.2e 100.2h 108.7C


62.38j 161.1c 90.71gh 104.7D 62.11m 160.1d 90.50i-k 104.2D

Mean 86.64C 184.4A 106.3B 84.54C 182.2A 105.2B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Relative fresh weight:

Cut flowers of chrysanthemum were influenced by all used solutions at different concentrations. Table (4) showed that treating cut flowers with salicylic acid (15 mg/l) as holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l) recorded the maximum results with highly significant differences compared to the control in the first season. Treatment with salicylic acid (10 mg/l) as holding solution + sucrose (20 g/l) came in the second position in terms of the impact on flowers, without significant differences from the first one, which improved the relative fresh weight of flowers throughout the vase period in the two seasons. A similar trend was also obtained regarding the effect of the interaction between cultivars


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and treatments. Application of salicylic acid at 10 mg/l was found to be more effective in increasing relative fresh weight of Pink Loly Pop and Marabou cultivars (24.44-23.56%) compared to the control (13.24-18.025%) in the first season and 26.73-22.26 % compared to 14.10-17.24% for the control in the second one, during vase period. It is clear from the foregoing results that application of salicylic acid was the most effective in increasing relative fresh weight of cut chrysanthemum flowers. This may be reasonable because SA has a positive effect on photosynthesis and carbohydrates accumulation in plants (Iqbal et al., 2012). SA increases water uptake due to acidifying effect and subsequently enhancing fresh weight of cut flower, as mentioned by Vahdati et al. (2012). There is a close relationship between water uptake and fresh weight. Obviously, a variation in fresh weight might be due to the difference in solution uptake and transpirational losses. These results are in agreement with those of previous workers who noticed the enhancing effect on relative fresh weight by SA. Kazemi and Ameri (2012) showed that cut gerbera flowers treated with salicylic acid had the highest levels of relative fresh weight during vase period. Similar effect on low fresh weigh loss was reported in anthurium treated with low doses of salicylic acid (Promyou et al., 2012). Hassan and Ali (2014) reported that SA treatment significantly prolonged the vase life and minimized the weight loss of gladiolus spikes. In the same pattern, Asif et al. (2016) stated that maximum relative fresh weight percentage was observed in cut tuberose spikes treated with salicylic acid. On the other hand, this influence differed between cultivars. Marabou produced the maximum value of fresh weight, while Arctic Queen had the minimum one in this concern. This may be the effect of genotype. In parallel to this, Ichimura et al. (2002) reported different responses of rose cultivars to chemical compounds caused by genetic variations.

Table 4: Effect of holding solution treatments on relative fresh weight (%) of three cultivars chrysanthemum flowers during the vase life period of 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Treatments

Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water 13.28i 10.19j 18.02fg 13.83D 14.10h 9.57i 17.24g 13.64D Salicylic acid (10 mg/l)as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

21.10b 23.17a 23.03a 22.43A 25.89a 22.43b 22.05bc 23.45A


24.44a 21.03bc 23.56a 23.01A 26.73a 19.61d-f 22.26b 22.87A


17.77fg 23.12a 19.19d-f 20.03B 20.59cd 22.44b 17.80g 20.28B


19.76b-e 15.60h 20.57b-d 18.64C 22.25b 15.06h 20.15de 19.15C


19.78b-e 19.56c-e 19.61b-e 19.65B 22.84b 18.70e-g 18.50fg 20.01B


17.99fg 17.53g 18.90e-g 18.14C 20.71cd 17.18g 17.75g 18.55C

Mean 19.16B 18.60C 20.41A 21.87A 17.86C 19.39B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Dry matter:-

It is clear from data in Table (5) that dry matter percentage increased by all the treatments which maintain positive values. The Maximum fresh weight gain of 15.20% was achieved by salicylic acid at 15 mg/l as spray + SA (10mg/l) as holding + sucrose (20 g/l), followed by salicylic acid (25 mg/l) as spray + SA (10 mg/l) as holding + sucrose (20 g/l) with non significant differences in both seasons. Spraying flowers with salicylic acid at 25 mg/l and thereafter keeping them in preservative solution that contained salicylic acid at 10 mg/l in combination with sucrose at 20 g/l gave the highest result over the two consecutive seasons.

Supplying cut flowers with SA at 25 mg/l as spray produced the highest value in Arctic Queen and Marabou, whilst Pink Loly Pop achieved the maximum value by spraying flowers with SA at 15 mg/l. It seems that salicylic acid prevented oxidative stress through increased water absorption and increased dry matter percentage through reducing protein degradation and respiration rates (Tirtashi et al.,


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2014). Abdolmaleki et al. (2015) explained this increase in dry matter content might be attributed to the increase in mineral uptake induced by SA. These results were consistent with the observation of Jamshidi et al. (2012) who found that salicylic acid increased vase life, dry weight and flower diameter of cut gerbera flowers. Likewise, Khandaker et al. (2011) showed a significant increase in plant dry weight of red amaranth by application of SA, and an increase in dry matter content of carnation. Roodbaraky et al. (2012) evaluated that the effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid on vase life of cut carnation and found that salicylic acid enhanced dry matter. Table 5: Effect of holding solution treatments on dry matter (%) of three cultivars chrysanthemum flowers

during the vase life period of 2014 and 2015 seasons. Treatments

Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water 10.74gh 8.50h-k 7.55jk 8.93E 9.70ef 7.48g-i 6.80hi 7.99D Salicylic acid (10 mg/l)as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

15.46cd 10.48gh 10.37g-

i 12.10D 14.38cd 10.17e 9.16e-g 11.24C


24.53a 6.40k 10,60gh 13.84BC 23.50a 5.46i 9.60ef 12.85B


18.15b 8.10i-k 11.95fg 12.73CD 17.59b 7.20g-i 10.22e 11.67C


18.02b 9.78g-j 8.66h-k 12.15D 16.22bc 9.12e-g 7.14g-i 10.83C


25.54a 8.51h-k 11.56fg 15.20A 23.56a 7.65f-h 10.10e 13.77AB


17.47bc 14.20de 13.00ef 14.89AB 16.13bc 13.51d 12.55d 14.07A

Mean 18.56A 9.42C 10.53B 17.30A 8.66C 9.37B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Flower head diameter:

Data presented in Table (6) showed that all treatments gave a significant differences in maximizing head diameter compared to the control. However, treatments had different values among themselves. Treatment with salicylic acid at 10 and 15 mg/l as holding solution combined with sucrose had the best result in this concern. This effect of SA agreed with Dezhkam and Dezham, (2010) ; Sabzi et al., (2012) and Hajireza et al. (2013) who stated that an increase in rose flower diameter was observed when flowers were treated with salicylic acid as compared to the control. Jamshidi et al. (2012) and Jing et al. (2004) found that salicylic acid raise fresh flower weight and enlarged flower diameter of cut gerbera flowers. An increase in flower head diameter was observed between cultivars having identical treatments.

Chemical analysis: Adding salicylic acid to the preservative solution had a positive effect on cut flowers as presented

in Table (7) which cleared that treating cut flowers with salicylic acid as a holding solution at 10 mg/l + sucrose at 20 g/l enhanced chlorophyll "a" content compared to the control in the different cultivars.

Using the same concentration of SA as a holding after spraying flowers with 10 mg/l, gave the maximum chlorophyll "b" content in Arctic Queen. On the other hand, the other two cultivars were influenced by salicylic acid as holding solution at low concentration (10 mg/l) which promoted carotenoids content. All treatments gave excellent results compared to control. SA at 10 gm/l induced the highest content of carotenoids in Pink Loly Pop and Arctic Queen. However, using SA at moderate concentration (15 mg/l) improved this value in Marabou and led to a considerable delay in chlorophyll degradation. Several studies are in accordance with the previous gains, such as those of Zamani et al. (2011 a and b) who reported that salicylic acid treatment reduced total chlorophyll degradation and preserved total chlorophyll content in rose and chrysanthemum. This might be due to


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inhibiting ethylene action. Kazemi et al. (2011) observed that chlorophyll biosynthesis was increased by salicylic acid treatment in the cut carnation flowers. Table 6: Effect of holding solution treatments on flower head diameter (cm) of three cultivars chrysanthemum


Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water 3.83j 9.70d 6.85g 6.79D 3.77j 9.26d 6.75g 6.59D Salicylic acid (10 mg/l)as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

5.67h 9.98cd 7.65e 7.77AB 5.63h 10.16bc 7.55e 7.78AB


5.33hi 10.70a 7.60e 7.88A 5.00i 10.52a 7.51ef 7.68AB


5.33hi 10.28bc 7.20f 7.61B 5.30i 10.49a 7.21f 7.67AB


5.00i 10.75a 7.60e 7.78AB 5.00i 10.65a 7.38ef 7.68AB


5.17i 10.50ab 7.40ef 7.69AB 5.13i 10.37ab 7.17f 7.56B


5.00i 9.78d 6.75g 7.18C 5.00i 9.91c 6.60g 7.17C

Mean 5.05C 10.24A 7.29B 4.98C 10.20A 7.17B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05

Table 7: Effect of holding solution treatments on chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid (mg/100 g f.w), total, reducing

sugars (%) and anthocyanins (%) of three cultivars chrysanthemum flowers during the vase life period of 2015 season.

Chl a Chl b Car. Treatments

Cultivars

Pink Loly Pop

Arctic Queen Marabou

Pink Loly Pop

Arctic Queen Marabou Pink Loly

Pop Arctic Queen Marabou

Distilled water 0.410 0.710 0.695 0.265 0.224 0.456 0.274 0.525 0.535

Salicylic acid (10 mg/l)as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

1.971 1.416 1.155 2.053 0.430 0.766 0.503 0.669 0.541


1.407 1.276 1.347 0.478 0.556 0.740 0.313 0.642 0.602


1.501 1.03 1.676 0.511 0.664 0.662 0.410 0.568 0.578


1.618 1.22 0.888 0.848 0.835 0.640 0.400 0.599 0.528


1.771 1.257 1.131 1.715 0.395 0.564 0.430 0.620 0.514


1.389 1.038 1.069 0.489 0.519 0.648 0.446 0.642 0.558


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Table 7: Cont. Total sugars Reducing sugars Anthocyanins Treatments

Cultivars

Pink Loly Pop

Arctic Queen Marabou Pink Loly

Pop Arctic Queen Marabou Pink Loly

Pop Marabou

Distilled water 0.512 0.373 0.333 0.211 0.292 0.226 0.012 0.009

Salicylic acid (10 mg/l)as holding solution plus sucrose (20g/l).

0.646 0.638 0.582 0.419 0.483 0.358 0.034 0.053


0.649 0.648 0.592 0.402 0.444 0.407 0.026 0.027


0.665 0.621 0.597 0.411 0.488 0.371 0.025 0.033


0.652 0.613 0.573 0.415 0.362 0.366 0.017 0.011


0.654 0.615 0.518 0.419 0.393 0.407 0.021 0.023


0.648 0.622 0.567 0.424 0.365 0.364 0.024 0.034

From Table (7) it can be concluded that the percentage of total sugars was the greatest after

treating with SA at 15 mg/l + sucrose at 20 g/l as a holding solution in Arctic Queen. Treating cut flowers with SA at 25 mg/l was more efficient in the other two cultivars. This may be due to the role of sugar in vase solution as stated by Rattanawisalanon et al. (2003) who suggested that exogenous supply of sugars delays wilting in many flowers and this effect is due to maintenance of sugar levels in cut flowers.

The highest amount of anthocyanins was found in the cut flowers treated with SA at 10 mg/l, while the lowest amount of this pigment was observed in the control treatment. These results showed that the induction of anthocyanins synthesis requires the presence of sugar in the medium. Sugars may serve as specific signals for the activation of specific genes, as cellular osmotic regulators, or as general energy source of carbon metabolism in the developing flower (Moalem-Beno et al., 1997). Zamani et al. (2011 a and b) found that salicylic acid caused significant decrease in anthocyanins leakage of rose and chrsanthemum cut flowers. Rahmani et al. (2015) reported that SA significantly increased flower membrane stability and anthocyanins amount. Danaee et al. (2013 b) demonstrated that the rate of anthocyanins degradation during the experimental days was reduced by the application of salicylic acid.

Tabibzadeh et al. (2015) suggested that salicylic acid is an important regulator of photosynthesis because it affects chloroplast structure and chlorophyll contents. Salicylic acid participates in signal regulation of gene expression during petal senescence. This could be the reason for anthocyanins accumulation. Second experiment Longevity:- According to data in Table (8) a significant improvement in vase life period of cut chrysanthemum flowers was obtained due to various holding treatments in this study. All treatments induced an increase in vase life of the studied cultivars of chrysanthemum, even the treatment with tap water. Combined treatments showed the highest vase life with the maximum of 32-31.11 days by the treatment with ethanol 3% + citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l, against a minimum vase life period (18.78-18.33 days) recorded in the control treatment, in both seasons. Regarding the interaction between holding solutions and the cultivars, the same treatment (ethanol 3% + citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l) prolong longevity of Arctic Queen cultivar to 42 days, compared to 20 days in the control treatment, i.e. the life span was nearly doubled. It seems that alcoholic solutions can increase the stem xylem hydraulic conductivity by relatively controlling micro-organisms activity and provides better conditions for the absorption of water in the stem, and so delays the aging process. Similar


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results have also been reported by earlier workers such as (Wu et al., 1992) who stated that ethanol was found to be effective in increasing the vase life of carnation flowers, by inhibiting ethylene biosynthesis as well as its action. Hafshejani and Hashemabadi (2016) on Alstroemeria hybrid found that the maximum vase life was achieved by ethanol 1%. It was shown that ethanol increases the longevity of clove cut flowers by preventing the production and the effect of ethylene (Meng and Wang, 2004). Hossain et al. (2007) reported that bougainvillea flowers longevity increased by applying 4, 8, and 10% ethanol. Treatment with 2% ethanol has the maximum impact on the longevity of lisianthus cut flowers (Farokhzad et al., 2005 and Hojjati et al., 2007). Chaipanwiriyaporn and Naradisorn (2010) reported that the combination of 2% sucrose with ethanol showed a promising result in extending vase life of cut anthuriums. Hajizadeh et al. (2012) showed that ethanol treatments had the most important role in extending longevity as well as water uptake in cut rose flowers. Our results on the influence of ethanol in extending flower longevity agreed with those of Karimian and Tehranifar (2011). Varietal difference in the expression of the effect of transactions on period of survival may be considered genetically differences, as it turned out that Pink Loly Pop cultivar gave the maximum values, followed by Arctic Queen. Marabou cultivar produced the minimum values in this concern, in the two seasons as scheduled in Table (8). Table 8: Effect of holding solution treatments on longevity (days) of three cultivars chrysanthemum flowers

during the vase life period of 2014 and 2015 seasons. Treatments

Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water

24.00g 20.00i 12.33k 18.78F 23.00k 20.00m 12.00r 18.33F

Tap water

25.00g 28.00f 15.33j 22.78E 25.00j 27.00h 14.00q 22.00E

Tap water +8-HQC (0.2g/l) +citric acid (0.2 g/l. )+ sucrose( 20g/l.)

34.00d 32.00e 16.00j 27.33D 32.00f 32.00f 15.33p 26.44D

Glycerol (15g/l) + citric acid 0.2 g/l +sucrose (20 g/l.)

35.00d 39.00c 16.33j 30.11B 35.00d 38.00c 16.00o 29.67B

Glycerol (45g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) +sucrose (20 g/l.)

44.00a 28.33f 22.00h 31.44A 42.00a 26.00i 21.33l 29.78B

Ethanol( 3%)+ citric acid (0.2 g/l) +sucrose (20 g/l).

35.00d 42.00b 19.00i 32.00A 33.00e 42.00a 18.33n 31.11A

Ethanol (5%)+ citric acid (0.2 g/l ) +sucrose (20 g/l.)

40.00c 29.33f 17.00j 28.78C 39.00b 29.00g 16.33o 28.11C

Mean 33.86A 31.24B 16.86C 32.71A 30.57B 16.19C Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Water loss :-

From data in Table (9), it is clear that the combination of ethanol 3% and citric acid + sucrose was more effective in declining water loss of cut chrysanthemum flowers than other treatments. This might be due to the fact that ethanol and sucrose have positive role in reducing water loss. These data agreed with those of Peng and Mingan (2011) who mentioned that ethanol could effectively lower respiratory rate in cut carnation flowers. Muriithi and Ouma (2011) found that sugar helped in reducing moisture stress in cut flowers by affecting stomatal closure, preventing water loss due to transpiration. Moreover sugars in the solution are often reported to decrease transpirational loss of water due to the result of stomata closure (De Stigter, 1980b and Venkatarayappa et al., 1980). Sucrose is added in the vase solution to act as a source of carbohydrates and to assist flower to absorb water and prevent transpiration and maintain turgidity. The same role is attributed to citric acid (CA) as shown by Imsabai et al. (2013) who stated that adding CA to vase solution of Nelumbo nucifera caused low latex flow from the cut stem surface and delay the closure of xylem. However, it was not the only treatment that lowered water loss. The treatment with glycerol at 45g/l + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l.) was effective in decreasing water loss compared to the control in the first and second seasons, respectively. The same treatment had the greatest impact on reducing water loss in Pink Loly


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Pop and Arctic Queen. Considering the interaction between chrysanthemum cultivars and different holding solutions, it could be said that glycerol being an osmolyte, might have helped in maintaining the osmotic balance, thereby helping in moisture retention, which might have led to lower transpiration rates. This was mentioned by Amingad et al. (2017) who stated that least transpiration loss of water was observed in the cut flowers of rose held in vase solution containing glycerol 6% + sucrose 1.5 + citric acid 300 ppm. The effect of glycerol was studied by Shanan and Shalaby (2011). They indicated that the use of antitranspirants decreased the water loss compared to the control, and enhanced the water status of plants, which was reflected on the extended leaf vase life in Monstera deliciosa. Moftah and Al-Humaid (2006) on tuberose and Liang et al. (2002) on wheat reported that water uptake was less for the anti-transpiration treated plants. The cultivar Marabou was influenced by ethanol at various concentrations. On the other hand data in Table (9) cleared that varieties in a descending order were Arctic Queen and Marabou. The last one that gave the lowest values of water loss was Pink Loly Pop. Table 9: Effect of holding solution treatments on water loss (g/flower) of three cultivars chrysanthemum


Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water

123.3gh 237.0a 144.4f 168.2A 120.7ij 233.9a 144.0gh 166.2A

Tap water

127.0g 193.7d 106.1j 142.3B 125.4i 191.6d 104.1l 140.4C


91.36k 223.7b 113.6ij 142.9B 87.35m 221.3b 111.4kl 140.0C


155.4e 199.4cd 139.1f 164.6A 149.0g 196.1cd 138.2h 161.0B


76.22l 127.0g 159.6e 120.9D 74.30n 123.1i 157.3f 118.2E


116.9hi 127.6g 94.70k 113.1E 113.5jk 123.9i 92.59m 110.0F


94.28k 205.8c 86.90k 129.0C 89.70m 201.1c 86.05m 125.6D

Mean 112.0C 187.7A 120.6B 108.6C 184.4 A 119.1B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Water uptake :-

As shown in Table (10) data indicated that glycerol (15g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l) raised the amount of water uptaken by flowering stems throughout vase period, with significant differences compared to the amount uptaken by flowering stems held in distilled water in both seasons. This was confirmed by Dubois and Joyce (1992) who stated that the amount of glycerol accumulated by plant tissues increased with increasing concentration in some ornamental plants. Jones et al. (2004) found that anti-transpiration treatments did not decrease solution uptake by holly stems. The role of sucrose, as the higher water uptake in combined treatments (of sucrose plus other biocides), may be attributed to their additive role by clearing the path of water movement through inhibiting the vascular blockage (Khan et al., 2007).

With regard to the interaction between cultivars and holding solutions, data in the same table exhibit that treatment with glycerol in both concentrations were influenced on Pink Loly Pop (122.5-119.3 g/flower respectively) and Marabou (152.5-151.2 g/flower respectively), as this stimulated them to absorb greater amount of solution, compared to other treatments including the control (84.58 -84.61 g/flower respectively) and it was (95.60-94.99 g/flower respectively). Arctic Queen was influenced by tap water + 8-HQC (0.2g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20g/l) that gave the greatest amount of solution (208.2-203.5 g/flower respectively) compared to the control (148.2 -145.9 g/flower respectively) in both seasons. As Vahdati et al. ( 2012) found that in order to improve the absorption


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that by reducing growth of microbes and vascular blockage the pathogens, water uptake by cut flowers during vase period was probably due to the role of citric acid or HQ as mentioned by He et al. (2006) who found that cut flowers held in citric acid caused a decrease in xylem blockage due to reduced microbial growth. Low water uptake by cut flowers is often due to occlusions located mainly in the basal stem end. Increased water uptake and minimum water loss might be due to the presence of sucrose (in holding solution) that provides energy, acts as anti-desiccant for greater water conductivity, reduced bacterial growth in holding solution, and inclusion of 8-HQC which prevents wilting due to an anti transpirant activity (Danaee et al., 2011). Azizi and Onsinejad (2015) reported that the maximum solution uptake of Eustoma grandiflorum was in solutions of citric acid. Some studies revealed that HQS increase solution uptake in cut flowers (Kim and Lee, 2002; Elgimabi and Ahmed, 2009 and Ajmad and Ahmad, 2012).

As shown in Table (10) distilled water was better than tap water to enhance the amount of water uptake by cut flowers. Similar findings were reported by Asif et al. (2016) who found that the volume of water taken up by Polianthes tuberosa spikes kept in distilled was greater than that of tap water. Ditto, Gladiolus grandiflorus stems placed in distilled water had greatest water uptake, whereas, stems in tap water reported the least water uptake (Saleem et al., 2014).

Table 10: Effect of holding solution treatments on water uptake (g/flower) of three cultivars chrysanthemum

flowers during the vase life period of 2014 and 2015 seasons Treatments

Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water 84.58k 148.2f 95.60j 109.5E 84.61k 145.9f 94.99j 108.5E

Tap water

58.99l 185.0c 81.17k 108.4E 55.23l 182.9c 80.84k 106.3E


65.14l 208.2a 108.0i 127.1C 61.22l 203.5a 106.4i 123.7C


122.5h 174.5d 132.5g 143.2A 119.3h 172.5d 131.4g 141.1A


40.42m 160.0e 152.5ef 117.6D 37.98m 159.2k 151.2ef 116.1D


82.38k 188.3bc 94.76j 121.8D 79.28k 185.5bc 93.64j 119.5CD


84.03k 196.7b 125.6gh 135.4B 84.02k 193.0b 123.7gh 133.6B

Mean 76.86C 180.1A 112.9B 74.52C 177.5A 111.7B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Relative fresh weight :-

From data averaged in Table (11) it is clear that all holding solutions caused a positive increment in fresh weight change percentage, with significant differences compared to the control, in both seasons. The highest increase in this trait was gained by ethanol (3%) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l), followed by glycerol (45g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l), compared to the control treatment in both seasons. Furthermore, increasing fresh weight of flowers in the presence of some substances in the holding solutions may be attributed to this component being an anti-bacterial or anti-ethylene, that promoted fresh weight percentage. Our obtained results are in close conformity with those of Bagheri et al. (2015) who showed that the use of alcoholic compounds in low concentrations as anti-bacterial agents prevents vessel block and leads to decrease in evaporation, transpiration and respiration, and consequently leads to an increase in carnation fresh weight. Son et al. (2003) found that the treatment of rose cut flowers with anti-ethylene compounds increased water absorption and ultimately increased the fresh weight of these flowers. Bazaz (2015) stated that ethanol 7% had a clear effect as an increase in relative fresh weight of chrysanthemum cut flowers. Hafshejani and Hashemabadi (2016) indicated that the maximum increase in fresh weight of Alstroemeria hybrida was related to the treatment of 1% ethanol.

As for the interaction treatments, data presented in Table (11) cleared that all treatments had a great positive effect on all cultivars compared to the control. The superiority was gained by ethanol


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(3%) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l) that maintain fresh weight of Marabou which gave 28.67-27.50% compared to distilled water (18.02-17.24 %), while Arctic Queen achieved 25.48-25.07% compared to the control (10.19-9.58%) respectively. Pink Loly Pop was influenced by all treatments especially tap water which gave 27.06-26.47% compared to the control (14.10-13.28%) respectively in the two seasons. The decline in uptake of water was coupled with transpiration and lead to water deficit, which ultimately reduces turgidity of cut flower. The aforementioned results are in agreement with Van Meeteren et al. (1999) who suggested that several ions at low concentrations (commonly present in tap water) could positively influence the cut chrysanthemums, whereas using deionized water gave a sharp decrease in fresh weight of the cut flowers after 1-3 days. This decrease was absent when using tap water. Van Meeteren et al. (2001) proposed to use ‘standardized tap water’ in vase solutions of some cut flowers. Table 11: Effect of holding solution treatments on relative fresh weight (%) of three cultivars chrysanthemum


Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water

14.10h 10.19i 18.02g 14.11E 13.28g 9.58h 17.24f 13.36E

Tap water

27.06a-c 8.10i 23.29d-f 19.48D 26.47a-c 7.92h 22.05e 18.81D


17.52g 24.77c-e 25.30b-d 22.53C 16.61f 22.98de 24.53cd 21.37C


14.48h 23.30d-f 27.58ab 21.79C 13.62g 23.25de 26.44a-c 21.10C

Glycerol (45g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) +sucrose (20 g/l.) 21.10f

25.39b-d

28.11a 24.87B 18.06f 23.28de 27.07ab 22.81B

Ethanol( 3%)+ citric acid (0.2 g/l) +sucrose (20 g/l). 24.70c-e

25.48b-d

28.67a 26.28A 21.30e 25.07b-d 27.50a 24.62A


18.09g 22.63ef 28.02a 22.91C 16.53f 21.77e 27.07ab 21.79BC

Mean 19.58B 19.98B 25.57A 17.98C 19.12B 24.56A Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Dry matter :-

Regarding the effect of holding solutions, the combination of glycerol (45g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) +sucrose (20 g/l) increased dry matter of cut flowers of chrysanthemum to 13.55-12.69%. The highest value was obtained by using ethanol (3%) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l) as a holding solution, which gave 16.35-14.49% compared to the control (8.93-7.95%) during the two seasons (Table 12). This may be attributed to the role of sucrose as stated by Blankenship and Dole (2003) who reported that with decreasing in respiratory rate of cut flowers, carbohydrate catabolism is reduced, and this leads to preventing degradation of sugars, and higher dry weight percentage of cut flowers was obtained. Jamil et al. (2016) concluded that sucrose is the most widely used floral preservatives that maintain the pool of dry matter.

Flower head diameter :-

Data presented in Table (13) showed that all holding solutions used in this experiment maximized diameter of cut flowers of chrysanthemum. The highest increase in head diameter was 7.96-7.86 cm in the solution containing ethanol at 3% combining with sucrose and citric acid, while the lowest increase was 6.74-6.59 cm in the control treatment, in both seasons of study. This may be due to the beneficial effects of various chemicals used in holding solutions. This finding was demonstrated by Peng and Mingan (2011) who indicated that ethanol could increase diameter in some cut flowers. Probably this increase is due to the presence of sucrose in the preservatives solution under study. This corresponds with Srivastava et al., (2015) who confirmed that minimum weight loss of chrysanthemum, maximum total water absorbed and flower diameter were obtained in treatment of 4% sucrose as compared to the control. Arctic Queen cultivar had the highest diameter, as a result of using tap water + 8-HQC (0.2 g/l) + citric acid (0.2g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l). These results coincide with that obtained by Asil and Hassani (2012) who showed that treatment of sucrose + 8-hydroxy


236

quinoline citrate extend flower diameter of gladiolus cut flowers. Aghera et al. (2016) suggested that the treatment of 8-HQC + sucrose resulted in maximum flower diameter. Table 12: Effect of holding solution treatments on dry matter (%) of three cultivars chrysanthemum flowers

during the vase life period of 2014 and 2015 seasons Treatments

Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water

10.74ef 8.50g-i 7.55ij 8.93DE 9.72ef 7.32i-k 6.80jk 7.95D

Tap water

11.55e 5.99j 7.31ij 8.29E 10.71e 7.74g-k 6.19k 8.22D


13.94d 9.25f-i 8.05hi 10.41C 12.67d 8.47f-j 6.88jk 9.34C


18.88c 10.04e-h 10.24e-g 13.06B 17.92c 9.33e-g 9.04e-h 12.10B


21.43b 9.20f-i 10.03e-h 13.55B 20.36b 8.75f-i 8.95f-i 12.69B


25.94a 8.40g-i 14.72d 16.35A 23.99a 7.40h-k 13.44d 14.94A


10.16e-h 7.35ij 10.71ef 9.41CD 9.57ef 6.51k 9.73ef 8.61CD

Mean 16.09A 8.39C 9.80B 14.99A 7.93C 8.72B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Table 13: Effect of holding solution treatments on flower head diameter (cm) of three cultivars chrysanthemum


Cultivars



Pink Loly Pop


Distilled water

3.83k 9.70d 6.68g 6.74D 3.77n 9.26d 6.75g-i 6.59D

Tap water

4.33j 9.95d 6.90fg 7.06C 4.23lm 9.78c 6.61hi 6.88C


4.83i 11.35a 7.20ef 7.79A 4.80k 11.16a 7.06f-h 7.67A


5.00hi 10.60c 7.70e 7.77A 5.00jk 10.53b 7.60e 7.71A

Glycerol (45g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) +sucrose (20 g/l.) 3.83k 11.25a 7.40e 7.49B 3.80mn 11.02a 7.19e-g 7.34B


5.33h 11.10ab 7.45e 7.96A 5.30j 10.98a 7.29ef 7.86A

Ethanol (5%)+ citric acid (0.2 g/l ) +sucrose (20 g/l.) 4.33j 10.65bc 6.65g 7.21C 4.30l 10.52b 6.55i 7.12BC

Mean 4.50C 10.66A 7.14B 4.46C 10.47A 7.01B Means followed by the same letter/s in a column or raw do not differ significantly according to Duncan's New Multiple Range test at P = 0.05 Chemical analysis :

According to results shown in Table (14), treating chrysanthemum cv. Pink Loly Pop cut flowers with tap water + 8-HQC (0.2g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20g/l) produced the maximum amount of chlorophyll "a" compared to the control. Glycerol (45 g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l) was the most effective treatment for delaying chlorophyll degradation as evidenced by the high leaf chlorophyll content retention in the other cultivars. Arctic Queen was affected by ethanol (3%) plus citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l) to give the highest content of chlorophyll "b", whilst treatment with glycerol (15g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l) stimulated the other two cultivars to gain high content of chlorophyll "b". Treatment with ethanol (3%) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l) induced more carotenoids and total and reducing sugars, compared to the control in all the three cultivars.

From Table (14) it is clear that tap water + 8-HQC (0.2g/l) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20g/l) raised the amount of anthocyanins in Marabou, while ethanol (3%) + citric acid (0.2 g/l) + sucrose (20 g/l) gave the highest anthocyanin content in Pink Loly Pop. These results could be attributed to certain components of the preservative solution, such as sucrose, citric acid, HQ, ethanol and glycerol which


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Table 14: Effect of holding solution treatments on chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid (mg/100g f.w), total, reducing sugars (%) and anthocyanin (%) of three cultivars chrysanthemum flowers during the vase life period of 2015 season.

Chl a Chl b Car.

Treatment

Cultivars

Pink Loly Pop

Arctic Queen

Marabou Pink


Marabou Pink


Marabou

Distilled water 0.410 0.710 0.695 0.265 0.224 0.456 0.274 0.525 0.535

Tap water 0.923 0.678 0.684 0.452 0.581 0.377 0.109 0.266 0.489

Tap water +8-HQC

(0.2g/l) + citric acid

(0.2 g/l. )+ sucrose(

20g/l.)

1.646 0.630 1.048 0.894 0.899 0.991 0.321 0.473 0.556

Glycerol (15g/l) +

citric acid 0.2 g/l

+sucrose (20 g/l.)

0.877 1.016 1.579 1.590 0.654 1.258 0.314 0.549 0.549

Glycerol (45g/l) +

citric acid (0.2 g/l)

+sucrose (20 g/l.)

1.123 1.581 1.736 0.850 0.959 0.910 0.419 0.513 0.522

Ethanol( 3%)+ citric

acid (0.2 g/l) +sucrose

(20 g/l).

1.626 1.336 0.902 1.119 1.131 0.965 0.421 0.619 0.597

Ethanol (5%)+ citric

acid (0.2 g/l ) +sucrose

(20 g/l.)

1.252 1.401 0.974 1.246 0.738 0.861 0.325 0.532 0.527

Table 14: Cont. Total sugars Reducing sugars Anthocyanins

Treatment

Cultivars

Pink Loly Pop

Arctic Queen

Marabou Pink Loly

Pop Arctic Queen

Marabou Pink Loly Pop Marabou

Distilled water 0.512 0.373 0.333 0.211 0.292 0.226 0.012 0.009

Tap water 0.510 0.276 0.378 0.303 0.329 0.412 0.012 0.031

Tap water +8-HQC

(0.2g/l) + citric acid (0.2

g/l. )+ sucrose( 20g/l.)

0.562 0.435 0.406 0.524 0.478 0.452 0.021 0.057

Glycerol (15g/l) + citric

acid 0.2 g/l +sucrose

(20 g/l.)

0.546 0.418 0.417 0.619 0.497 0.421 0.021 0.042

Glycerol (45g/l) + citric


(20 g/l.)

0.565 0.367 0.511 0.576 0.459 0.446 0.020 0.033

Ethanol( 3%)+ citric


(20 g/l).

0.578 0.5446 0.474 0.624 0.582 0.456 0.029 0.048

Ethanol (5%)+ citric

acid (0.2 g/l ) +sucrose

(20 g/l.)

0.566 0.3403 0.465 0.546 0.376 0.414 0.027 0.035


238

improve chemical composition in cut flowers during vase life period. Results of the present study are in line with findings attained by Kiaseh and Yadegari (2016) who reported that degradation of carbohydrate content in petals and life of cut flowers were improved by placing flowers in the vase solution containing carbohydrate. The most important factor in delaying aging of cut flowers is increasing the amount of carbohydrates. Therefore, whatever the stored carbohydrate becomes more; the vase life is increased (Mutuie et al., 2001).

Podd and van Staden (1998) stated that alcohol prevents transferring carbohydrates from petal to ovary, as a result, the respiratory carbohydrates remain in the petals and are used for metabolism of the petals. Begri et al. (2014) illustrated that ethanol caused increasing in carbohydrate reservoir mobility towards sink organs, leading to a longer flower longevity and retarded senescence. Kiaseh and Yadegari (2016) stated that treatments with ethanol induced the lowest rate of degradation of chlorophyll "a" and "b" in Alstroemeria hybrida. Petridou et al. (2001) showed that the different concentrations of ethanol efficiently affected the amount of chlorophyll and photosynthesis efficiency in chrysanthemum cut flower. Bahrami et al. (2013) showed that ethanol causes the least amount of degradation of chlorophyll "a" and "b".

Azizi and Onsinejad (2015) concluded that the highest total chlorophyll content was obtained by means of citric acid in the holding solution.

Petridou et al. (2001) showed that ethanol prevents the formation of anthocyanins in the petals of chrysanthemum, and it may become possible that flowers maintain their natural white color of flowers during the vase life. The presence of pigments in the petals of the plant is the indicator of quality after harvesting cut flowers. Among these pigments, carotenoids and anthocyanins have a particular importance in the postharvest life of cut flowers. Colorlessness is one of the most common symptoms in many old flowers, and changing the color of the old petals largely depends on pH changes in the vacuole (Hafshejani and Hashemabadi, 2016). Petridou et al. (2001) showed that ethanol prevents formation of anthocyanins in the petals of chrysanthemum and provides the possibility to preserve natural white color of flowers during the vase life. These results are consistent with the results of the current experiment. Shanan and Shalaby (2011) cited that the effect of glycerol on prolonging leaf vase life was accompanied by a decrease in the degradation of pigments. Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded that all chemicals used in the first experiment (salicylic acid in addition to sucrose) improved the keeping quality of the cut chrysanthemum. The best treatment was salicylic acid (15 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20g/l) as it promoted longevity of cut flowers and enhanced relative fresh weight and increased flower head diameter. Treating flowers with salicylic acid (10 mg/l) as a holding solution + sucrose (20g/l) reduced degradation of chlorophyll "a", "b" and carotenoids in cv. Pink Loly Pop. In the second experiment, the best treatment was ethanol at 3%+ citric acid at 0.2 g/l + sucrose at 20 g/l, as it prolonged vase life span, reduced water loss, increased amount of water uptake, improve relative fresh weight and increased total soluble sugars in cv. Pink Loly Pop . References Abdolmaleki, M., M. Khosh-Khui; S. Eshghi and A. Ramezanian, 2015. Improvement in vase life of

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