title: Effect of nano-silver and boric acid on extending the vase life of cut rose (Rosa hybrida L.).
abstract: Silver nano-particles (2-5 nm diam.), as antimicrobial agent and boric acid, as ethylene production inhibitor are used for enhancing the quality and vase life of cut flowers. In the present study the effects of a preservative solution containing nano-silver and boric acid on some traits of cut rose (Rosa hybrida L. cv. Yellow Island) including vase life, ethylene production, dry weight percentage, chlorophyll content, flower opening index, beta-carotene of petals and the number of basal stem end bacteria were investigated. The results showed that the effect of nano-silver and boric acid as either solitary or in combination with each other were significant (p < or = 0.01) on vase life, ethylene production and beta-carotene pigment. The effect of nano-silver on the number of bacteria on the end of stem was significant (p < or = 0.01). The highest cut flower longevity (9.69 day) was obtained in pulse-treated flowers with 100 mg l(-1) boric acid. The least ethylene production (0.59 nl(-1) g(-1) h(-1)) was observed in cut rose treated with 100 mg l(-1) boric acid along with 5 mg l(-1) nano-silver. The lowest number of bacteria in the end of stem was calculated in cut flowers treated with the highest concentrations of boric acid (300 mg l(-1)) and nano-silver (20 mg l(-1)).
authors.forename: Davood
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hashemabadi
authors.forename: Mahbanoo Hoseinzadeh
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Liavali
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaviani
authors.forename: Meysam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mousavi
authors.forename: Saghi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keyghobadi
authors.forename: Samaneh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zahiri
mesh_terms: D001888:Boric Acids; D035264:Flowers; D053758:Nanoparticles; D027826:Rosa; D012834:Silver
chemical_list: D001888:Boric Acids; D012834:Silver; C032688:boric acid