Effects of Ethanol and Gibberellic Acid on Vase Life, and on the Quality of Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrida cv. Napoli) Cut-Flowers

Alstroemeria is a cut-flower that has recently become increasingly popular because of its beautiful flowers of various colors، and high yield. Leaf yellowing is considered as a primary index of Alstroemeria flower deterioration. In order to study how to alleviate this disorder and improve the flower،s longevity as well as its other quality traits، a factorial experiment was conducted on the «Napoli» cultivar of Alstroemeria cut-flowers. Throughout the experiment، different levels of ethanol (0، 2، 4، 6%) and of GA3 (0، 50، 100، 150 mg/liter) along with 4% sucrose، were applied in preservative solutions in either one of the two forms of pulse or continuous application. The evaluated traits were: flower longevity، chlorophyl content، flower fresh weight، solution uptake، relative water content، flower diameter، as well as ion leakage. Based on the obtained results، the most leaf chlorophyll content was found in cut-flowers treated with 100 mg/L GA3 in either one of the pulse or continuous methods. But، the continuous method proved to have better effects on flower vase life، solution uptake، flower fresh weight and as well on the diameter. Also، application of 2% ethanol along with either 100 or 150 mg/L of GA3 was found out to bring about the most increased flower longevity. Application of higher concentrations of ethanol in this treatment caused a decrease in the flower vase life.