EFFECTS OF BACTERICIDES AND SUCROSE-PULSING ON VASE LIFE OF ROSE CUT FLOWERS (ROSA HYBIRDA)

The vase life of rose cut flowers were studied to determine the physiological factors that affect the rate of senescence.Cut rose flowers were obtained from a commercial grower in Taif, Sudia Arabia and treated with 8-hydroxyquniline sulfate (8-HQS) at concentrations of 100, 200 or 300 ppm and sucrose at 1, 2, or 3% w/v. Longevity of cut roses was determined on the basis of wilting, chlorophyll retention and carbohydrate degradation. After treatment the cut roses were kept at room temperature (23± 1 °C) under normal day light and natural ventilation. The vase life of cut flowers studied were prolonged by all 8-HQS treatments. The best concentration was 100 ppm. The effect was further improved when 8-HQS was combined with 3% sucrose, which recorded the best vase life compared to other concentrations of sucrose. The per cent of wilting was minimized as a result of using this combined treatment. However the per cent of wilting increased with the increase in concentrations of 8-HQS and complete wilting occurred after 10, 8 and 7 days when treated with 100, 200 and 300 ppm of 8-HQS, respectively, while sucrose shortened the period to reach wilting. Also 8-HQS at 100 ppm retarded the chlorophyll as well as carbohydrate degradation during the postharvest life. These experiments were carried out in the laboratory of the Department of Biology, Taif University, Saudi Arabia. The experiments were repeated three times with three replicates and a completely randomized design had been used. The experiments extended from February, 2006 to September, 2008. The difference between means were performed using Duncan multiple range test at 0.05 level.