The Effects of Different Floral Preservative Solutions on Vase life of Lisianthus Cut Flowers

Abstract

Two factorial experiments were conducted to study the interactive effects of four levels of sucrose (0, 20, 40 and 60 g l-1), two levels of citric acid (0 and 160 mg l-1) and two levels of one of the following compounds (aluminum sulphate, 0 and 160 mg l-1 and silver nitrate, 0 and 120 g l-1) on vase life and quality attributes of lisianthus cut flowers ‘Mariachi blue fonce.' The experiments carried out a randomized complete block design with three replications. After 34 days of storage at 20±2 oC the amount of water absorption, relative water content and opened flower buds were determined. According to the results application of 60 g l-1 sucrose in combination with citric acid led to the highest vase life (31 days). The highest relative water content (82.37%) and also the highest percentage of opened flower buds were obtained in flowers treated with 60 g l-1 sucrose and 160 mg l-1 aluminum sulphate.