POTENTIAL OF INCREASING THE VASE LIFE AND IMPROVEMENT OF SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ALSTROEMERIA CUT FLOWERS BY USING NON-HARMFUL COMPOUNDS ENVIRONMENTALLY

Abstract

In this study, the concentrations of 25, 375 and 500 ml L -1 of Cola+ 2000 mg L -1 of peppermint essence and concentrations of 30, 45 and 60 ml L -1 of apple extract +2000 mg L -1 rosemary essence on Alstroemeria cut flowers (Cv. balance) were investigated to verify the use of natural ingredients in flowers preservative solutions. This experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, in 2014. Results showed that the interaction of cola with peppermint essence and apple extract with rosemary essence at above concentrations increase the vase life of flower, flower diameter and anthocyanin at significantly level of %1. The highest amount of vase life was related to concentration of 500 ml L -1 of cola (15 days), while vase life in control treatment (distilled water) was 9 days. The highest flower diameter was recorded in apple extract (45 ml L -1 ) + Rosemary essence (2000 mg L -1 ). The highest amount of anthocyanin was obtained in cola treatments of 500 ml L -1 + essence of peppermint, 30 and 45 ml L -1 of apple extract+ rosemary essence. Besides, flowers treated by 375 ml L -1 of cola + peppermint essence had the highest chlorophyll content. Generally, the results showed that treatments used in this experiment, as accessible compounds are healthy and non-hazardous for the environment, appropriate to increase the vase life of Alstroemeria cut flowers