Effect of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and Ethylene on physiological characteristics and antioxidant activities of cut carnation cv.  Grand Slam'

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of 1-MCP and ethylene on extending the display quality and increasing vase life of cut carnation flowers in a completely randomized design with three replicationsat the laboratory of the postharvest physiology, Tarbiat Modares Universityin 2014. First, cut flowers were treated with 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 µl l-1 of 1-MCP for 24 h and then exposed to 1 µl l-1 ethylene for 16 h. The results showed that 1-MCP had significant effect on the physiological and biochemical characteristics and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Maximum of vase life and the amount of chlorophyll and anthocyanin were revealed in samples treated with 1 µl l-1 1-MCP. Also, the highest peroxidase enzyme activity was observed in treatment of 1 µl l-1 1-MCP which had significant difference with other treatments. The highest and lowest catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were found in 1.5 µl l-1 1-MCP and control, respectively. In conclusion, 1-MCP treatment resulted in extending vase life and increasing activity of antioxidant enzymes in cut carnation cv. ‘Grand Slam’ by suppression of ethylene action.