Biochemical and Physiological Responses of Tuberose (<i>Polianthes tuberosa</i> L.) Cut Flower to Silver Nanoparticles Treatment

Abstract

Tuberose is an valuable ornamental plant with a high economic value, which is among the five leading cut flowers of the world. The major obstacle hindering the development of cut flower exports, especially tuberoses, is their short postharvest vase life caused by the disruption of the plant's water relations due to growth and an increase in vase solution microbial load. The quality and longevity of flowers are highly dependent on their stem stability and antioxidant systems. This research investigated the effect of Nano-silver (NS) applied to the cut flowers of tuberoses cv. ‘Dezfuli' in 24 h pulse treatments in a randomized complete design. The cut flowers were treated with NS at four rates (0 as control, 10, 20, and 30 mg/L) along with 3% sucrose. Then, the treated flowers were fully immersed in deionized water. The results showed that the application of NS treatment positively increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and improved postharvest conditions in Polianthes tuberosa L. (cut tuberose flower). Moreover, NS reduced the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in flower stems and also had a positive effect on the rate of chlorophyll increase compared to the control. NS extended the postharvest vase life of the treated flowers versus the control and increased solution uptake and fresh weight of the cut flowers. In this experiment, the 10 mg/L rate of NS exhibited the best results.