nteraction of Foliar Application of Calcium Chloride and Salicylic Acid on Growth, Mineral Nutrient Content and Postharvest Characteristics of Cut Rose Flowers cv.  Fiesta'

This study was conducted to determine whether preharvest applications of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and salicylic acid (SA) could improve vase-life of cut rose flowers of ‘Fiesta’ cultivar. A factorial experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design with four replications and two observations in each replication. CaCl2 was used at concentrations of 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 2.25% and SA at concentrations of 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg l-1 were sprayed on plants. Characteristics such as shoot and flower bud fresh and dry weights, leaf area, stem length and physiological characteristics, such as leaf chlorophyll content, ions (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and nitrogen), leaf relative water content, ion leakage, flower quality and vase life were measured. The most effective treatment on the most of measured characteristics was 0.75% CaCl2 combined with 150 mg. l-1 SA. Also, this treatment increased vase life up to 11.5 days compared with control roses through improving the measured characteristics especially chlorophyll content and mineral nutrients and decreasing the electrolyte leakage.