the role of preservative compounds on number of bacteria on the end of stems and vase solutions of cut gerbera

this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of preservative solutions on vase life, number of bacteria in the end of stem and in vase solution of cut gerbera 'double dutch' and 'red explotion'. cut flowers were pulse-treated with nano-silver (2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 mg l-1) and thymol (12.5, 25, 50, 75 or 100 mg l-1) +5 % sucrose. experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with 5 replications and 1 flower in each experimental unit. flower were harvested from a commercial greenhouse and transported to laboratory with 22±1oc temperature and 60±5% relative humidity. according to the results, these materials had positive effects on vase life of flowers.6 mg l-1 nano-silver treatments in ‘red explotion’ cultivar had highest longevity (14 days). all treatments were effective on decreasing of bacteria in stem end and solution. in 4 and 6 mg l-1 snp treatments was not any bacteria in vase solutions of ‘red explotion’ cultivar. resulty showed that nano-silver can be use for increasing the vase life of cut gerbera ‘double dutch’ and ‘red explotion’.