Effects of Sucrose and Salicylic Acid on Longevity and Some Physiological Traits of cut Flowers Alstroemeria cv.  Stratus'

The aim of this research was evaluating the effects of some chemical solutions on postharvest life of cut flowers Alstroemeria cv. ‘Stratus’. A factoririal experiment was conducted with two factors of sucrose at four concentrations, 0, 5, 10 and 15 g l-1 and salicylic acid (SA) at four concentrations, 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg l-1 in a completely randomized design with three replications. Longevity, anthocyanin content of petal, ethylene production, protein content, antioxidant enzymes activity including catalase and peroxidase in petals, chlorophyll content and leaf yellowing percent was evaluated. Results showed that treatment of 15 g l-1 of sucrose had greatest chlorophyll a, catalase and peroxidase activity and the lowest ethylene production at 6, 12 and 24 hours after harvest. SA at the rate of 400 mg l-1 t had the highest longevity, anthocyanin content, chlorophyll, protein, catalase and peroxidase activity and the lowest leaf yellowing percent and ethylene production at 3 and 6 hours compared to the control. Also 15 g l-1 sucrose plus 400 mg l-1 SA treatment showed the highest Longevity, anthocyanin content, catalase activity and the lowest ethylene production content at 3 and 6 hours compared to the control.