Effect of Some Chemicals on Keeping Quality and Vaselife of Argyranthemum Flowers

The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of gibberellin 4+7 (Gi), 5-sulfosalicylic acid (5-SSA) and essential oils (EOS) of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) (EOs) on keeping quality and vase life of Argyranthemum cut flowers. In this study six levels of gibberellin 4+7 (1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 mg L-1 GA4+7), three levels 5-sulfosalicylic acid (1, 1.5 and 2.5 mM) and three levels of essential oils of Thyme (50, 100 and 150 mg L-1) were applied in a factorial arrangement, carried out in a complete randomized design on 216 Argyranthemum cut flowers. The recorded traits included Vase life, total chlorophyll content (SPAD reading), anthocyanin leakage, Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and ACC-Oxidase (ACO) activity. Results show that solution containing gibberellin 4+7 and 5-sulfosalicylic acid, could increase flower longevity in compared to control. Vase life in solution containing essential oils of Thyme did have significantly difference than control. Results showed that the microbal population of vase solution in cut flowers treated with essential oils and 5-sulfosalicylic acid were lower than other treatments. The results showed that gibberellin 4+7 (Gi) and 5-sulfosalicylic acid (5-SSA) treatments descreasing MDA content, ACC-oxidase activity and membrane premeability together with total delaye of senescence and peroxidation of lipids. our results suggest the application of gibberellin 4+7 (Gi) and 5-sulfosalicylic acid (5-SSA) in preservative solutions for Argyranthemum flowers maintained the vase life of flowers for a longer period.