Pre-harvest and pulse treatments of spermine, γ- and β-aminobutyric acid increased antioxidant activities and extended the vase life of gerbera cut flowers ‘Stanza’

Abstract

Abstract Capitulum wilting and neck bending are the two important complications that impair the post-harvest quality and vase life of the gerbera cut flowers. The present study investigates the effects of pre- and post-harvest treatments of spermine (SPER), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) on the vase life, qualitative features and enzyme activity of gerbera cut flowers ‘Stanza’. The pre-harvest treatments (1 mM doses) were applied by foliar spraying, and the post-harvest were by pulse treatment (5 mM doses). The flowers kept their quality longer in pre and post SPER and GABA treatments. The longest vase life was recorded in pre-SPER (14 days) and pre-GABA (13 days) compared to BABA treatments and controls (9 days). Neck bending was observed more frequently in controls whereas SPER and GABA showed a lower neck bending rate at 9 days after harvest. The highest vase solution uptake, total soluble solids, total flavonoid, total protein, the activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and ascorbate peroxidase, besides the lowest neck bending, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, H2O2 and polyphenol oxidase activity were observed in pre-SPER treatment and subsequently in pre-GABA. Pre- and post-harvest treatments with β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) had no significant effects on cut flowers compared to SPER and GABA, although showed slightly better effects than water control. It is therefore suggested that pre-harvest treatment using SPER and GABA can improve the vase life and quality of gerbera cut flowers.