Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of nano-silver and boric acid on extending the vase life of

cut rose (Rosa hybrida L.)

Davood Hashemabadi¹*, Mahbanoo Hoseinzadeh Liavali¹, Behzad Kaviani¹, Meysam Mousavi¹,

Saghi Keyghobadi¹ and Samaneh Zahiri²?

¹Department of Horticultural Science, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, 41476-54919, Iran

²Department of Landscape, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, 41476-54919, Iran

*Corresponding Authors Email : davoodhashemabadi@yahoo.com?

Publication Data

Paper received:

21 December 2012

Revised received:

22 October 2013

Accepted:

07 May 2014

Abstract

Silver nano-particles (2-5 nm diam.), as antimicrobial agent and boric acid, as ethylene production inhibitor are used for enhancing the quality and vase life of cut flowers. In the present study the effects of a preservative solution containing nano-silver and boric acid on some traits of cut rose (Rosa hybrida L. cv. Yellow Island) including vase life, ethylene production, dry weight percentage, chlorophyll content, flower opening index, β-carotene of petals and the number of basal stem end bacteria were investigated. The results showed that the effect of nano-silver and boric acid as either solitary or in combination with each other were significant (p≤0.01) on vase life, ethylene production and β-carotene pigment. The effect of nano-silver on the number of bacteria on the end of stem was significant (p≤0.01). The highest cut flower longevity (9.69 day) was obtained in pulse-treated flowers with 100 mg l^-1 boric acid. The least ethylene production (0.59 nl^-1 g^-1 h^-1) was observed in cut rose treated with 100 mg l^-1 boric acid along with 5 mg l^-1 nano-silver. The lowest number of bacteria in the end of stem was calculated in cut flowers treated with the highest concentrations of boric acid (300 mg l^-1) and nano-silver (20 mg l^-1).

 Key words

Basal stem end bacteria, β-Carotene, Ethylene, Flower longevity, Rosa hybrida L.

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