Investigation of the Impact of Benzyladenine and Several Natural Compounds on the Vase Life and Some Qualitative Traits of Tuberose Cut Flowers

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) is one of the most important cut flowers with fragrant buds. To prolong vase life of tuberose, proper preservative solution applying is necessary. For this purpose, two types of chemical and natural treatments were used. Applied treatments were benzyladenine (50, 100, and 150 mg l-1), the extracts of rosemary and Eucalyptus (12, 25 and 50%) and sour orange fruit extract (3, 4, 5 and 6 ml l-1). Sucrose 4% was used in all solutions. Measured characteristics included the vase life, the percentage of opening of the buds, the relative fresh weight, the solution absorption, the total soluble solids, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll. The results showed that the maximum vase life was obtained in benzyladenine treatment of 50 mg l-1 (11.66 days) and the minimum vase life was obtained in the control treatment and rosemary extract of 50% (6.33 days). The highest percentage of buds opening was related to the benzyladenine treatment of 150 mg l-1. The maximum relative fresh weight and solution absorption were obtained in the benzyladenine treatments of 100 and 50 mg l-1, respectively and the maximum amount of total soluble solids was obtained in Eucalyptus extract treatment of 12 %. In addition, the maximum amount of chlorophyll a, b and total was related to the treatment of sour orange fruit extract of 4.5 mg l-1. In general, the results showed that benzyladenine had the maximum vase life but, natural compounds especially the extracts of Eucalyptus and sour orange had the significant effect on the vase life and the other traits of tuberose cut flowers and they can be used as simple, healthy and cheap compounds.