Effects of Pre and Postharvest Treatments of Silicon and Rice Hull Ash on Vase Life of Gerbera

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different silicon supplements and postharvest treatments on growth and yield of gerbera in a greenhouse experiment. Silicon supplements were including potassium silicate at three concentrations (0, 140 and 200 mg L^−1), sodium silicate at three concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg L^−1) and rice hull ash (RHA) at three concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg L^−1). Also, postharvest treatments were including sucrose, salicylic acid (200 and 400 mg L^−1), methyl jasmonate (15 and 25 mg L−1) and distilled water (as control). The application of potassium silicate, RHA and sodium silicate led to decrease in dry weight of flower. Shoot length and diameter were substantially higher in 140 mg L^−1 potassium silicate than those in control treatment. The maximum inflorescence diameter was observed in rice husk ash (50 mg L^−1). Capitulum diameter was far greater in sodium silicate at 50 mg L^−1 compared to other treatments. Vase life of gerbera flower was greater in 400 mg L−1 salicylic acid and 15 mg L−1 methyl jasmonate than in control treatment. The maximum inflorescence diameter was observed in 400 mg L^−1 salicylic acid. This study confirmed that the studied sources of Si, salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate increased marketable quality of cut gerbera flowers.