Abstract:Cut flowers of Gerberajamesonii Bolus were kept in basal preservative solution （BP, 20 g L-1 sucrose ＋ 200 mg L-1 citric acid ＋ 150 mg L-1 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate） and basal preservative in addition of 30 mg L-1 uniconazole （S-3307）. Those kept in distilled water were used as the control. Floral appearance and several physiological and biochemical indexes were determined during the senescence process of cut flowers. The results showed that S-3307 could extend the vase life of cut flowers for 4.3 days and 2.3 days as compared to the control and BP, respectively. However, the pedicel-bending rate was only 9.8% of the control and 28.8% of BP. Further studies showed that S-3307 could increase the ability of absorption water and fresh weight, which inhibit the reduction of protein content, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, reduce the accumulation of proline and malondialdehyde, and maintain stability of membrane in petals of the cut flowers. S-3307 could retard the senescence of the cut flowers, and improve the decoration quality of the cut flowers during vase-holding period.
