Inhibitors of ethylene action and biosynthesis on cut carnation

In this work ethylene, ethylene-promoters, inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis and action were used to evaluate their effects on the longevity and ethylene protection in cut carnation. Cut carnation flowers cv. Tuareg were pulsed with 1 mM ACC, 2-5 microl L-1 ethylene, 2 mM AOA and 500 ppb di 1-MCP alone or followed by pulsing treatment with 2-5 microl L-1 ethylene for 12 h. Ethylene application significantly reduced the vase life (2 days), while the cut flowers treated with 1-MCP showed the longest vase life (16 days) of cut carnations. The ethylene did not affect on cut flower longevity when combined with 1-MCP. The comparison between 1-MCP and AOA showed that 1-MCP was more effective than AOA in preserving cut carnation from the deleterious effect of ethylene. Moreover, 1-MCP is useful for a full protection of cut flowers against exogenous and endogenous ethylene.