Changes in Chlorophyll Content, External Quality Characters, Dry Weight and Vase Life of Strelitzia (Strelitzia spp.) Leaves Affected by Different Preservative Solutions

One of the most important cut foliage plants is strelitzia (Strelitzia spp.) which has several usages. This research program was focused on increasing the vase life of strelitzia cut foliage in the normal storage condition. The experiment was arranged as completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments included combinations of four different levels of gibberellic acid (GA3) and benzyl adenine (BA) each with 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm concentrations and an extra control. In all treatments except the extra control, silver nitrate (AgNo3) with fixed concentration of 40 ppm and sucrose with fixed concentration of 3% was used. Average temperature, light intensity and relative humidity during the study were 20°C, 865 lux (12/12 day- night) and 70%, respectively. Measured traits were: vase life, chlorophyll content, dry weight and external quality of leaves. Results showed that GA3 and BA had positive effects on increasing the vase life of strelitzia cut foliage and improving the chlorophyll content and external quality characters. Although, the combination of 150 ppm GA3 and 100 ppm BA and also 100 ppm GA3 and 50 ppm BA prolonged the vase life of strelitzia leaves up to 112 days in the storage condition as compared to 59 days for the control treatment, but considering other traits such as chlorophyll content, dry weight and external quality characters plus economic factor, the use of the gibberellic acid alone (at 50 ppm concentration) or in combination with some concentration of benzyl adenine (i.e. 50 ppm) together with silver nitrate and sucrose is recommended to increase the vase life and other quality characters of strelitzia cut foliage.