An effective protocol for improving vaselife and postharvest performance of cut Narcissus tazetta flowers

A study was made to investigate differential responses of petal senescence and postharvest performance at varying concentrations of Cycloheximide (CHI) in cut spikes of Narcissus tazetta cv. Kashmir Local. Cycloheximide at 0.01 and 0.05 mM concentrations delayed senescence.Above 0.05 mM concentrations CHI prevents flower opening and promotes senescence. Senescence delay by CHI points to the synthesis of some specific proteins (enzymes) responsible for execution of cell death programme in flower petals. Cycloheximide at lower concentrations (0.01 and 0.05 mM) enhanced longevity, maintained a sustained rate of flower blooms, delayed senescence and optimized postharvest performance. Pulse treatment of spikes with CHI concentrations at 0.01 and 0.05 mM concentrations maintained high fresh and dry mass of flowers and lowered electrical conductivity of leachates. The content of sugars and proteins decreased, whereas that of a-amino acids and total phenolics increased in the petal tissues with CHI treatment; besides improving postharvest performance. Pretreatment of flowers with 0.01 or 0.05 mM CHI concentrations for 1 h enhanced vase life and improved postharvest performance in this flower system.