The affected postharvest life of gerbera cut flowers by the application of silver nitrate, silver thiosulfate and nano silver

ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study was the evaluation of different silver sources in long-term method as well as the determination of the best silver preservatives for promoting the vase life of gerbera cut flowers. The cut flowers were treated (long term treatment) by four different concentrations of silver nitrate (0, 100, 200 and 300 mgL-1), nano-silver (0, 2, 4 and 6 mgL-1) or silver thiosulfate (0, 2, 4 and 6 mM) in ten different treatment groups. The reduction rates of anthocyanin contents were alleviated by the application of silver nitrate and nano-silver, especially the first one. The application of silver nitrate and nano-silver declined the rates of relative fresh weight reduction. The solution uptake and soluble solid contents in silver nitrate or nano-silver treated cut flowers, especially the first one, were significantly higher than other treatment groups during the experimental days. The application of silver nitrate and nano-silver led to the promoted longevity of gerbera cut flowers where the first one was more effective than the second ones and the application of silver thiosulfate did not have desirable positive effects on the vase life of gerbera cut flowers. It seems that antimicrobial effects of the applied beneficial treatments led to the declined vascular blockage, higher solution uptake, soluble solid contents and fresh weight in treated cut flowers by which the senescence process was delayed.