Enhancing the Vase Life of Strelitzia reginae Cut Leaves by Postharvest Application of Thidiazuron and Chitosan

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of 24 h pulls treatment of thidiazuron (TDZ at 0, 8, and 16 µM) and foliar application of chitosan (CS at 0, 250, and 500 mg/L) on the postharvest quality of Strelitzia reginae cut leaves. In the last week of the experiment, 8 µM TDZ and the control treatment showed the lowest (22.11 g) and the highest (28.98 g) leaf fresh weight loss, respectively. The highest (7.75 ml) and the lowest (4 ml) solution uptake was obtained by using 8 µM TDZ and 500 mg/L CS, respectively. The maximum (27.51 and 2.52) and the minimum (12.58 and 0.30) values of SPAD index and performance index (PI) were observed in 8 µM TDZ and control treatments, respectively. The highest (0.46) and the lowest (0.12) values of Fv/Fm were obtained by using 8 µM TDZ and 500 mg/L CS, respectively. Application of 16 µM TDZ + 500 mg/L CS exhibited the best color indices (L, a, b, and chroma). Using 16 µM TDZ, the lowest vase life (12.87 days) was obtained. The maximum vase life (21 days) was obtained in the leaves treated by 8 µM TDZ or 16 µM TDZ + 500 mg/L CS, which were the best treatments in the present study.