Effects of Different Preservative Solutions on Vase Life of Narcissus tazetta Cut Flowers

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of silicon (Si), ethanol (Et), ascorbic acid (AA) and citric acid (CA) on vase life of Narcissus tazetta L. cv. ‘Shahla’cut flowers. For this purpose, an experiment based on completely randomized design was conducted with Si (5, 10 and 20 mM), Et (2 and 4%), AA (100, 200 and 300 mg L-1), CA (100, 200 and 300 mg L-1) and control (distillated water) with 3 replications and 3 samples (individual flowers) for each replicate. The results showed that addition of all preservatives to vase solutions significantly increased relative fresh weight, water uptake and vase life of cut flowers in comparison to control. Relative fresh weight of treated cut flowers with Si (5 mM) was higher than other treatments during all days of experiment and this treatment increased relative fresh weight and total water uptake by 16 and 27% compared to control (day 7 of experiment). Silicon (5 mM) also increased fresh weight of control flower (without stem) from 0.185 to 0.259 g (40% increases). The highest dry weight of flower (0.057 g) was obtained from 300 mg. L-1AA, by 32% increases when compared to control flower. Application of Si (5 mM) extended vase life of cut flowers by 2.66 day in comparison to control. According to the results of this experiment, Si, Et, AA and CA as safe and cheap compounds are suitable for extending the vase life of N. tazetta cut flowers.