The effects of biological silver nanopatricles on bacterial growth in preservative solutions and increasing vase life of rose cut flowers "White Naomi"

In this research, synthesized silver nanoparticles by using saffron petals extracts were applied on inhibition of bacteria growth in preservative solution for extending vase life of rose cut flowers "White Naomi", in three separate experiments. In the first experiment effects of different ratios of silver nanoparticles and saffron petals extract (1:20, 1:5, and 1:2) were investigated on growth inhibition of five important preservative solution's infecting bacteria including Bacillus subtilus, Bacillus cereu, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonads fluorescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in completely randomized design with factorial arrangement. Results showed that applied concentrations had significant effect on growth of gram positive bacteria. Saffron petals extract didnt have any antibacterial effects in comparison with synthesized silver nanoparticles. 1:5 and 1:20 ratios showed the highest inhibition of bacterial growth in gram positive ones. In the second and third experiments effects of different concentrations of silver nanoparticles products were evaluated on vase life, relative fresh weight and relative solution uptake of rose cut flowers by two permanent and pulsing methods. Results showed that, low ratios of silver nanoparticles particularly 1:20 significantly increased vase life approximately two times in comparison to control due to increasing relative fresh weight.