Effect of Polyamines on Post Harvest Physiology and Vase Life of Cut Gerbera

The study was conducted at College of Horticulture, SKLTSHU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Significantly highest relative water content (74.22%) and carotenoid content (5.58 mg) were recorded in spermine 1.0 mM compared to spermidine 1.5 mM and putrescine 3.0 mM. The impact of spermine in increasing the petal carotenoid content might be delaying carotenoid degradation via their enzymatic oxidation in the chromoplasts and prevent the breakdown of flavonoids to make the flower fresh by improving water absorption. An increase in membrane stability index (55.87%) as indicated by ion leakage was found to be delayed or reduced (25.93%) by the use of spermine 1 mM. While the control was at highest (38.58%) and prolonged flower longevity compared with untreated flowers. Spermine 1.0 mM was found to be more effective in maintaining higher levels of TSS (10.37o Brix) and soluble sugars are involved in membrane stability and reduce the flower wilting. Thus, the treatments of spermine @ 1.0 mM ppm influenced the postharvest physiology of gerbera flowers and extended the vase life of gerbera by 4-5 days as compared to control.