the effect of cola on postharvest physiological characteristics of cut alstroemeria

the present study has assessed the effect of cola in increasing flower longevity of flower and delaying aging of cut alstroemeria ‘balance’. distilled water was used as control. traits of flower diameter, solution absorption ,anthocyanins, total soluble solids and chlorophyll were measured at 3 times and vase life was measured daily. based on the results, flower diameter, anthocyanins and chlorophyll were significant at 1% level and solution absorption was significant at 5% level. the highest flower longevity was related to concentration 500 ml l-1 cola with 16 days, while the control was 9 days. the highest solution absorption rate belonged to 250 ml l-1 treatment of cola. cola concentration of 375 ml l-1 had the greatest flower diameter and chlorophyll. according to the results of means comparison, amount of anthocyanin in different concentrations of cola was the same. in general, cola delayed aging alstroemeria flowers due to having compounds such as citric acid, phosphoric acid, sugar,sodium benzoate, etc., and by providing flowers with required carbohydrates and antimicrobial effect.