Journal of Environmental Biology

Studies on quality and vase life of cut Gerbera jamesonii cv. 'Balance' flowers by silver nanoparticles and chlorophenol

Zakieh Safa¹, Davood Hashemabadi¹*, Behzad Kaviani¹, Narges Nikchi² and Mohammad Zarchini³

¹Department of Horticulture, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, 4147654919, Iran

²Department of Horticulture, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, 4616956566, Iran

³Young Researchers Club, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, 4147654919, Iran

*Corresponding Author E-mail: davoodhashemabadi@yahoo.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

22 June 2013

Revised received:

19 December 2013

Accepted:

31 March 2014

Abstract

Cut gerbera flowers are sensitive to microbial contamination and have a short vase life. Silver nanoparticles are used in various applications as an antimicrobial agent. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations of SNP and chlorophenol to extend the vase life and postharvest quality of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cv. 'Balance') cut flowers. Cut gerbera flowers were kept in solutions containing 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg l^-1 SNP and/or 0, 5 and 10 mM chlorophenol for 24 hr; then held in vase solution containing 250 mg l^-1 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate and 3% sucrose. The maximum vase life (16.33 days) was observed in flowers held in solution containing 10 mg l^-1 SNP. The 5 mg l^-1 SNP plus 10 mM chlorophenol and 10 mg l^-1 SNP plus 5 mM chlorophenol inhibited bacterial growth in the vase solution. The minimum fresh weight loss (6.48gr) during the vase period was observed for flowers kept in solution containing 20 mg l^-1 SNP. The results revealed that SNP and chlorophenol have the potential to extend vase life and enhanc the postharvest quality of cut gerbera cv. 'Balance' flowers.    

 Key words

Bacterial contamination, Chlorophenol, Gerbera jamesonii, Silver nanoparticles, Vase life, Brix 

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