Evaluation of the Mechanical Strength of Gerbera Flower Stem in Response to Silicon and Salicylic Acid Application

Stem and peduncle bending by the weight of the flower is one of the main postharvest problems in gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus.) and sometimes caused stem crushing or water loss. In this research, silicon and salicylic acid were applied to enhance the mechanical strength of inflorescence stem, and the results revealed that stem curving was decreased by silicon and salicylic acid treatments. Shear strength and lignin content were increased by SA treatments at both upper and lower parts of the stem. It seems that lignin content was associated with shear strength at upper part of stem. Additionally, silicon content of flower stem was significantly increased under silicon application and mechanical strength of the lower part of stem has correlation with silicon content in stem tissue. These results suggested that silicon and salicylic acid application could enhance the mechanical strength of inflorescence stem and improve the cut flower quality in gerbera.