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The effect of spermidine and putrescine on the senescence of cut carnations
Author(s) -
Downs Chris G.,
Lovell Peter H.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1986.tb05599.x
Subject(s) - putrescine , spermidine , carnation , spermine , senescence , ethylene , dianthus , petal , vase life , preservative , biology , horticulture , polyamine , botany , chemistry , cultivar , biochemistry , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , catalysis
Blooms of Dianthus caryophyllus cv. Crowley Pink (carnations) were held under standard environmental conditions in a range of vase solutions. In the absence of preservative solution the senescence of the flower was characterized by a single sharp peak of ethylene production. Culture in preservative solution greatly extended the life of the bloom and also reduced the output of ethylene. In addition, there was great variability between individual blooms in the timing, the extent and the pattern of ethylene production. Instead of a single peak some blooms had two or even three small peaks which, in some cases, were separated by intervals of several days. Senescence of these flowers was also characteristic of blooms that were not producing ethylene in that the petals often did not inroll. Putrescine and spermidine, when added to the culture solutions, did not delay the onset of senescence, nor did they inhibit ethylene production. In fact, both additives resulted in the earlier production of ethylene and shorter longevity when applied in conjunction with preservatives. Their effects were similar, but less marked when they were applied alone. Although polyamines have been reported to delay senescence in a number of tissues, spermine and putrescine did not have a protective effect in carnation flowers; indeed, in some treatments they advanced senescence.