Effect of Benzyladenine on the Vase Life and Keeping Quality of Alstoemeria Cut Flowers

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the response of Benzyladenine (BA) on the vase life and the physiological changes in the leaves of Alstroemeria cut flowers. The treatments were combined in a factorial manner and laid down in a completely randomised design with 3 replicates. Treatment of Alstroemeria cut flowers with 25 or 50 mg/litre BA consistently increased the number of days to full opening of primary florets and delayed the onset of flower senescence as measured by days to 50 % petal fall and 50 % leaf yellowing. BA at 25, 50 or 75 mg/litre increased both the leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll content of the Alstroemeria cut flowers compared to the control. However, 75 and 100 mg/litre BA gave the highest values of leaf dry weight. BA decreased the leaf water content of Alstroemeria cut flowers. These results suggests that 25 mg/litre BA has the potential to be used as a commercial cut flower preservative to prevent leaf yellowing and prolonging the vase life of Alstroemeria cut flowers. KEY WORDS: Alstroemeria, benzyladenine, post harvest quality, vase life J. agric. Sci. technol. Vol.5(1) 2003: 91-105