Abstract

Abstract Roses are among the most economically important ornamental plants, ranked in the top five ornamentals worldwide. Vase life is considered as the most important quality index of cut flowers which is applied to determine the value of flowers and evaluating new introduced cultivars. Quality and vase-life of cut flowers is influenced by different factors. Fresh cut flowers lose their quality while passing through the market (harvest, packaging, transportation and sale) and a large portion of remaining flowers is sold at low quality conditions. To gain the benefits of natural safe chemicals towards better vase life, the current study was conducted to investigate the effect of GABA in five doses (0, 1, 5, 10, 15 mM) on postharvest indices of ‘Red Naomi’ rose cut flowers including vase life, ion leakage, dry weight, relative solution uptake, chorophyll content and relative fresh weight. Results showed that GABA increased the vase life of cut flowers to some extend and had a significant effect (1%) on relative solution uptake, chorophyll content, relative fresh weight and ion leakage compared to the control, however, no significant effect was observed related to dry weight. Results also showed that effect of GABA on postharvest indices is dose-dependent. Preliminary experiments showed that GABA neither has contraindication nor harmful effect on cut flower attributes, therefore, can be used as a safe chemical in the postharvest chain to prolong the vase life, although after more comprehensive trials.