Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Benzyl Adenine (BA) Effects on the Vase Life of Cycad’s Cut Foliage

Cycad is one of the most important cut foliage plants with several usages. This experiment was focused on increasing the vase life of cycad’s cut foliage in normal storage condition. Experiment was based on a CRD with three replications. Treatments were conducted for four different levels of gibberellic acid (GA3) and benzyl adenine (BA) each one with 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg L-1, according to mentioned statistical design. In all treatments except control, silver nitrate (AgNO3) with 40 mg L-1 and 3% sucrose were used. The measured traits were; vase life, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, water loss and some external quality factors. Results showed that GA3 had significant and positive effects on increasing the vase life of cycad’s cut foliage and kept the external quality in good condition. However, unlike the gibberellic acid, treatment with high concentration of BA decreased vase life of cycad’s cut foliage. Also, relation between storage time, BA and GA3 on most of measured external factors like leaflet dryness and fragility, were significant. The best treatments were selected as 50 mg L-1 GA3 without BA which increased the vase life of cycad’s leaves to 101 days in storage condition.