Effect of hydrogen peroxide treatment on improvement of the postharvest quality of cut Alstroemeria cut flowers

In this study a CRD experiment with three replications was carried out to assess the effect of different concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (200, 400 and 600 µM) on the improvement of vase life and postharvest quality of cut Alstroemeria flowers. All of applied hydrogen peroxide concentration increased the vase life of cut flowers. The highest vase-life was obtained in 600 µM H2O2 which increased vase-life for 7 extra days in comparison with control flowers. Hydrogen peroxide also decreased the floral wilting, MDA content and water loss of flowers compared to control flower, while increased the ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase enzymes activity. Catalase activity increased significantly only in 600 µM H2O2 treatment. Polyphenol oxidase activity assay in petal showed that hydrogen peroxide decreased the activity of this enzyme significantly in comparison with control flowers. Data of this research showed that the application of exogenous hydrogen peroxide in optimal concentration act as signal molecule and through decrease of lipid peroxidation,  induction of the antioxidant enzymes activity and the inhibition of polyphenol oxidase activity increased the vase life and postharvest quality of cut Alstroemeria flowers.