Comparison of some physio-morphological characteristics of eight cut rose (Rosa hybrida L.) cultivars

In this study, postharvest characteristics of eight cut rose cultivars (Valentine, King Pride, Prima Donna, Black Baccara, Victory, Papagayo, Royal Baccara and Yellow Island) were investigated in a growth room with temperature of 20 ºC, relative humidity of 50% and light intensity of 10 µmol m-2 s-1 in autumn 2008. Among cultivars significant differences were found for all of the attributes evaluated. According to the results, King Pride with 17.7 days and Papagayo with 9.4 days showed the longest and the shortest vase life, respectively. After King Pride, Royal Baccara, Yellow Island and Black Baccara showed a high longevity. Flower peduncle was the largest in Yellow Island and King Pride and the lowest in Papagayo. Moreover, fresh weight loss was the highest in Papgayo and the lowest in King Pride and Yellow Island. King Pride showed the highest water uptake while Papagayo showed the highest water loss. Both water uptake and water loss were the lowest in Victory but its flower buds didnt open fully. Moreover, King Pride and Papagayo showed the highest and the lowest stomatal density, respectively. Overall, cultivars with larger flower and peduncle diameter and higher relative fresh weight, water uptake and stomatal density showed higher vase life. King Pride, Royal Baccara and Yellow Island were selected as best cultivars based on the vase life and other postharvest characteristics.