Qualitative response and vase life of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) cut flowers treated with salicylic acid and benzyl adenine under cold storage conditions

Prolonging the vase life and delaying the onset of senescence of cut flowers is one of the most important goals of experts, producers, and activists in ornamental plants. According to the high production of ethylene in carnation petals and its negative effect on the postharvest life of carnation, the present study investigated the effect of preservatives containing salicylic acid (0, 2, and 4 mM) and benzyl adenine (0, 25, and 50 mg L-1) and their interaction on maintaining the quality and vase life of carnation flowers stored at 4 ± 1 °C. The results showed that the benzyl adenine treatment (25 mg L-1) increased the vase life, affected the carnation stem's diameter, and cut flowers significantly. Absorption of solution of salicylic acid 4 mM treated carnation flowers significantly caused an increase in their weight and showed a significant increase compared to control carnation flowers. Salicylic acid treatment decreased the percentage of ion leakage. The interaction of salicylic acid and benzyl adenine treatments also maintained flower quality by increasing the total sugar content, decreasing the pH of the preservative solution, and reducing the bacterial population in the preservative solution. The treatments of the current study increased photosynthetic pigments. The highest chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids were obtained in benzyl adenine at 25 mg L-1 and 50 mg L-1. Salicylic acid 2 mM caused them to increase in T2 compared to T1. The reaction of chlorophyll b was different so that it reached its maximum in salicylic 2 mM and increased it at T2 with the help of benzyl adenine 25 mg L-1.