Combination Effect of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) with Ajowan Essential Oil and Silver Nanoparticles on Postharvest Life of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) Cut Flowers

Abstract

<jats:p>Gerbera (<jats:italic>Gerbera jamesonii</jats:italic> Bolus ex. Hook f.) is one of the most important cut flowers in floriculture industry with high economic value. Short postharvest life is the main barrier for gerbera marketing which is related to water relation disruption resulting from microbial population in preservative solution and exposure to ethylene. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the combination effect of an ethylene inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) (0 and 1 μL·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>), and two antimicrobial agents, ajowan [<jats:italic>Carum copticum</jats:italic> (L.) C. B. Clarke] essential oil (EO) (0 and 15 μL·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (0 and 40 μL·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>), on postharvest life of ‘Pink Power’ gerbera cut flowers. The results showed that stem diameter reduced in both cut stem-end (CSE) and below the flower head (BFH) but the amount of decrease in CSE was more than BFH, and applied treatments had no significant effect on the decrease rate. However, both ajowan EO and AgNPs treatments reduced the number of bacteria at the CSE; ajowan EO was more effective than AgNPs and induced more vase solution uptake. Stem-end electrolyte leakage (EL) was unaffected by 1-MCP treatment, whereas petal EL was lower in 1-MCP-treated flowers. The least wilting percentage and the longest vase life were observed in combination treatment of 1-MCP and either ajowan EO or AgNPs. It could be concluded that 1-MCP combined with ajowan EO or AgNPs, potentially can be used as a preservative solution to enhance postharvest life, delay flower senescence, and prolong vase life of gerbera cut flowers.</jats:p>

Melatonin and Its Effects on Plant Systems

“…The shelf-life and quality of postharvest produce decline due to the deterioration. For this reason, many treatments have been implemented to maintain the quality and shelf life of postharvest fruits and vegetables [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. Usually, the produce is stored in a cold environment which induces oxidative stress by elevating the production of ROS; this is the main drawback of cold storage [ 73 ].…”

1‐methylcyclopropene potentials in maintaining the postharvest quality of fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals: A review

“…The post‐harvest application of 1‐MCP significantly alleviates chilling injury and minimizes floral bud drop in orchids (Phetsirikoon et al., 2012; Sun et al., 2009; Uthaichay et al., 2007), reduces petal abscission in geraniums (Cameron & Reid, 2001; Jones et al., 2001) inhibits ethylene induced senescence in gladiolus (Hassan & Ali, 2014) and phlox (Porat et al., 1995) and extends the vase life in carnation (Abadi et al., 2009; Asil et al., 2013; Seglie et al., 2011), freesia (Zencirkiran, 2010), gerberas (Nazari & Koushesh Saba, 2017), miniature roses (Muller et al., 2000) and oriental lilies (Çelikel et al, 2002).…”