The effect of short-term treatment of salicylic acid in delaying the aging of cut flowers of rose (rosa hybrida) variety Yellow Iceland

In this study, the effect of salicylic acid (SA) on delaying the senescence of rose flowers was investigated. Cut rose flowers of the Yellow Island cultivar were pre-treated with different concentrations of SA for 18 hours. The greatest delay in petal senescence and increased vase life were obtained with the application of 150 mg/L of SA, which increased almost twofold compared to the control. The application of 150 mg/L of SA prevented protein degradation during 8 days of storage of flowers. Application of SA prevented the increase in proline until the fourth day, but after that it was the same in flowers treated with SA and control. Also, treatment with 150 mg/L SA delayed senescence in flowers by preventing lipid peroxidation. The results suggest that SA can delay senescence in cut rose flowers as a preservative by maintaining the stability of cell membranes and proteins.