Improvement in vase life of cut rose cv. “Dolce Vita” by preharvest foliar application of calcium chloride and salicylic acid

Abstract

<em>Rosa hybrida</em> L. is an important commercial cut flower. Salicylic acid (SA) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) act as endogenous signal molecules responsible for growth parameters in plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of preharvest SA and CaCl₂ treatments in extending the vase life of cut rose flowers. Therefore, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with SA (0, 150, 300, and 450 mg L^-1) and CaCl₂ (0, 0.75, 1.5, and 2.25%) with 4 replicates and 2 samples (individual flowers) in each replicate, was conducted. Changes in growth, macronutrient concentration, chlorophyll content, leaf relative water content (LRWC), flower quality, vase life, and membrane stability index were investigated in <em>R. hybrida</em> cv. “Dolce Vita." Exogenously applied SA and CaCl₂ increased plant growth (such as shoots and flower buds). Foliar application of SA and CaCl₂ also increased macronutrient concentration (N, K, Ca, and Mg), chlorophyll content, LRWC, flower quality, and vase life; however membrane stability index was decreased with increasing levels of SA and CaCl₂. These results suggest that SA and CaCl₂ could be used as potential growth promoters to improve postharvest life of roses. According to the results of this experiment, SA and CaCl₂ as natural, cheap, safe, and biodegradable compounds are suitable alternatives for conventional chemical treatments in order to prolong vase life of cut rose flowers. Commercialization of these compounds for optimum formulations needs further experiments.