Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the application of salicylic acid (SA) on the maintenance of quality and longevity of cut roses cv. Vega. Cut roses were kept in a vase solution of SA and water at concentrations of 0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2.0 mM. All treatments were kept at 8±2 ^oC for 96 hours, simulating storage in flower shops; the flowers were then evaluated regarding loss of fresh matter and leaf chlorophyll content and were transferred to beakers containing distilled water at 25±2 ºC for more 144 hours, simulating shelf life. At 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours from the beginning of the experiment, biochemical analyses of total proteins and the activity of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidases (PO) were performed. Visual analyses were performed (stem curvature, turgescence and petal darkening) every 48 hour intervals until the end of the experiment. The treatments with SA allowed the maintenance of post-harvest quality, reducing the loss of fresh matter mass, lower stem curvature, greater turgescence and less darkening of the petals. The results showed that the application of SA increased total protein contents and FAL, which characterizes the activation of plant defense mechanisms to the senescence process.

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