the effect of ascorbic acid in delaying biochemical changes during senescence and extension flowers vase life in rose

in this study, effect of different concentration of ascorbic acid (asa, 0, 2, 4 and 6 mm) on delaying senescence in cut rose flowers cv. royall class was investigated based on factorial design. the results showed that the greatest delay in senescence was obtained with 4 mm asa as compared to control (distilled water). therefore, fresh weight and diameter of flowers treated with 4 mm asa was more than others treatments. biochemical attributes such as protein, proline, anthocyanin content and lipid per oxidation levels were determined only in dw and 4 mm asa. application of 4 mm asa treatments was shown to retard degradation of protein over 8 days vase life. proline content in asa treated flowers was slightly lower than dw flowers but no significant differences were found in treated flowers with asa. anthocyanin content declined gradually with onset of senescence, while asa treatments suppressed decreasing its content. therefore, treatment with 4 mm asa suppressed malondialdehyde accumulation and delayed flowers senescence.