Investigating the morphophysiological characteristics and shelf life of Alstromeria spp. with the application of salicylic acid after harvesting

This research was designed in order to increase the quality and longevity of Alstroemeria cut flowers after harvesting. In this study, the puls treatment of salicylic acid at three levels of 50, 100 and 150 mg/liter and then the preservative solution of silver nanoparticles 2 mg/liter with 3% sucrose was used. Distilled water and silver nanoparticles with sucrose were used as controls. The experiment was conducted as a factorial in the form of a completely randomized statistical design with 5 treatments and 3 replications (each treatment included 5 Alstroemeria cut flower branches). Sampling and measurement of desired traits were done on the 5th, 10th and 15th days of the experiment. The results showed that the highest relative fresh weight, solution absorption rate, percentage of cell membrane stability index and shelf life of Alstroemeria cut flowers were in salicylic acid 150+ silver nano particles+ sucrose Treatment. The highest amount of soluble solids, anthocyanin content and total chlorophyll was obtained in salicylic acid 100+ silver nanoparticles+ sucrose treatment. Therefore, concentrations of 100 and 150 mg/L of salicylic acid with nanoparticles 2 mg/L and sucrose 3% can be recommended to improve the morphophysiological characteristics and shelf life of Alstromeria spp.