Title: Modulation of senescence and postharvest performance in Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Emperor in response to Cycloheximide pulse treatment

Authors: Fahima Gul; Inayatullah Tahir

Addresses: Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India ' Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India

Abstract: A study was made to investigate chemical modulations of senescence with varying concentrations of Cycloheximide on cut daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. cv. Emperor). Pulse treatment of scapes with 0.01 and 0.05 mM concentrations of Cycloheximide (CHI) delayed tepal wilting, enhanced longevity, maintained fresh and dry mass of flowers and lowered electrical conductivity of leachates. The content of sugars and proteins decreased, whereas that of α-amino acids and total phenolics increased in the tepal tissue. Senescence delay by variable CHI concentrations points to the differential expression of some specific proteins (enzymes) responsible for execution of cell death programme in tepal tissues. Cycloheximide treatment at higher concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mM, concentrations blocked flower opening and accelerated senescence in this flower system. Pulse treatment of flowers with 0.01 and 0.05 mM CHI for 1 h delayed senescence and improved postharvest performance in this flower system.

Keywords: senescence delay; N. pseudonarcissus; postharvest performance; proteins; Narcissus pseudonarcissus; Cycloheximide pulse treatment; cut daffodils; tepal tissues; cut flowers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2014.068732

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2014 Vol.4 No.2/3/4, pp.194 - 207

Received: 22 Jun 2013
Accepted: 18 May 2014
Published online: 18 Apr 2015 *

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