Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Dianthus is an important decorative plant cultivated from long time ago. This plant is used in vase and stem-cut forms, and is economically valuable due to its production simplicity and reasonable price. The effect of benzyl adenine with concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg/L on Dianthus CV. “Cream Viana” cut flower was investigated in short-term treatment (48 hours) in this study. In addition, the effects of nano silver with concentrations of 2 and 4 ppm and 8- hydroxyquinol sulfate with concentration of 300 ppm plus 3% sucrose, as the continuous treatment (preservative solution) studied. The flowers were placed at the temperature of 20ºC, relative humidity of 80%, and photo-period of 14 hours provided by fluorescent light with light intensity of 15 micromole/m2×s in the upper part of the room. Life information following picking the flower were all analyzed during the measurement procedures; these parameters included relative wet weight of flower, flower diameter, soluble solids, degree of stem bending, percentage of stability index of cellular membrane, amount of Anthocyanin, and solution uptake. The results indicated short-term treatment by Benzyl adenine of 100 mg/liter concentration together with nano silver preservative solution of 4 ppm concentration plus 3% sucrose has the greatest impact on the longevity and qualitative characteristics of Dianthus flower.
Keywords: Dianthus, Benzyl Adenine, nano silver, 8-hydroxyquinolin sulfate, Flower, post-harvest physiology