Increasing Vase Life of Gerbera by Using Silver Nano Particles and Hydroxyquinoline Citrate

In recent years application of nanoparticles due to their antimicrobial properties has become widespread in the postharvest of agricultural plants. There is a high demand to increase the quality of post-harvest of commercially important cut flowers such as gerbera. In this study, different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (0, 5, 10, 20 mg/l) and hydroxyquinoline citrate (0, 200, 400 mg/l) were compared. During the experiment vase life, relative fresh weight, the uptake solution, the cell membrane stability index, water content of petals were measured. Results showed that the effect of silver nanoparticles and hydroxyquinoline citrate on most characteristics were significant. The maximum vase life was observed when hydroxyquinoline citrate and silver nanoparticles were used at 200 mg/l and 10, 20 mg/l respectively. Interactive effect of silver nanoparticles and hydroxyquinoline citrate significantly increased vase life, water content gerbera, cell membrane stability index, flower petals and the uptake solution during the trials.