Approaches to Deal with The Reduction of Cut Flowers Quality Caused by Senescence

Despite the high economic value of cut flowers, they are capable of high corruptibility and usually have very short vase life. Therefore attempt to enhance the vase life of them by regulating the senescence by genetic manipulation or chemical treatments may be increase vase life quality. During the senescence process, the rate of photosynthesis reduces and respiration rate increases. Hydrolyzing enzymes activity such as protease is also increased. Destruction of biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids and lipids also occurs during the senescence process. Among all the factors influencing the aging process, plant growth regulators and environmental factors play an important role. Ethylene is known as aging hormone in plants, while cytokinins postpone the aging process in many plant species. The use of ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors such as AOA or inhibitors of its activity, such as STS and 1-MCP can increase postharvest longevity of ethylene-sensitive plants. Silencing the ethylene biosynthesis pathway genes through genetic engineering techniques could also increase the shelf life of cut flowers and delaying the aging process. Different environmental factors such as temperature, light and relative humidity affect the senescence process and longevity of cut flowers, of which, temperature is the most important factor. At low temperatures, metabolic activity, respiration rate, carbohydrates and other storage materials consumption in the plant tissue is reduced. Flowers produced less ethylene and sensitivity to the presence of ethylene in the atmosphere is reduced. Also the loss of water and the growth of microorganisms occur at a slower rate. Therefore, it is recommended that the storage and transportation of ornamental products take place at minimum temperature.