Pre-harvest and pulse treatments of spermine, γ- and β-aminobutyric acid increased antioxidant activities and extended the vase life of gerbera cut flowers ‘Stanza’

Abstract Capitulum wilting and neck bending are the two important complications that impair the post-harvest quality and vase life of the gerbera cut flowers. The present study investigates the effects of pre- and post-harvest treatments of spermine (SPER), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) on the vase life, qualitative features and enzyme activity of gerbera cut flowers ‘Stanza’. The pre-harvest treatments (1 mM doses) were applied by foliar spraying, and the post-harvest were by pulse treatment (5 mM doses). The flowers kept their quality longer in pre and post SPER and GABA treatments. The longest vase life was recorded in pre-SPER (14 days) and pre-GABA (13 days) compared to BABA treatments and controls (9 days). Neck bending was observed more frequently in controls whereas SPER and GABA showed a lower neck bending rate at 9 days after harvest. The highest vase solution uptake, total soluble solids, total flavonoid, total protein, the activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and ascorbate peroxidase, besides the lowest neck bending, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, H2O2 and polyphenol oxidase activity were observed in pre-SPER treatment and subsequently in pre-GABA. Pre- and post-harvest treatments with β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) had no significant effects on cut flowers compared to SPER and GABA, although showed slightly better effects than water control. It is therefore suggested that pre-harvest treatment using SPER and GABA can improve the vase life and quality of gerbera cut flowers. Resumo O murchamento do capítulo e a flexão do pescoço são as duas complicações importantes que prejudicam a qualidade pós-colheita e a vida de vaso de flores cortadas de gérbera. O presente estudo investigou os efeitos dos tratamentos pré e pós-colheita de espermina (SPER), ácido γ-aminobutírico (GABA) e ácido β-aminobutírico (BABA) na vida de vaso, nas características qualitativas e atividade enzimática de flores de gerbera 'Estrofe'. Os tratamentos pré-colheita (doses de 1 mM) foram aplicados por pulverização foliar e os pós-colheita foram realizados por tratamento de pulso (doses de 5 mM). As flores mantiveram sua qualidade por mais tempo nos tratamentos pré e pós aplicação com SPER e GABA. A maior vida útil do vaso foi registrada no pré-SPER (14 dias) e no pré-GABA (13 dias) em comparação com os tratamentos e controles BABA (9 dias). A flexão do pescoço foi observada com mais frequência no