Effects of Nano-Silver and Sucrose on Flower Longevity and Quality of Cut Tuberose (Polianthus tuberosa) Flowers

Tuberose (Polianthus tuberosa) is an important cut flower; however, it is susceptible to the stress of storage and transportation. Thus, it is important that cut flowers be placed in a proper preservative solution. We examined the effects of nano-silver (NS) (0, 15, 30 and 45 mg L-1) or sucrose (0, 4 and 8%) on quality properties such afresh weight, relative water content, water uptake, total solubles solid, wilting percentage, flower opening and flower longevity. On average, flower longevity, open flower and stem diameters, fresh weight and relative water content were increased under sucrose application while flower longevity, open flower and stem diameters, water uptake, fresh weight and relative water uptake were increased by NS treatment. However, with a few exceptions, application of 4% sucrose or 45 mg L-1 NS treatments enhanced all measured parameters. These parameters were further increased when sucrose at 4% combined with 45 mg L-1 NS, suggesting that quality of tuberose cut flowers can be improved by combination treatments of sucrose and NS.