The Vase Life of Cut Gerbera Flowers is Extended by Combined Treatment with Gibberellin A₃ and Calcium Chloride

Abstract

Treatment with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is known to suppress the occurrence of flower stem bending and extend the vase life of cut gerbera. To clarify whether vase life extension by CaCl₂ is improved by combined treatment with gibberellin A₃ (GA₃), the effect of treatment with 50 mg·L⁻¹ GA₃, 5 g·L⁻¹ CaCl₂ or in combination on the vase life of the cut gerbera ʻMinouʼ was investigated. To inhibit bacterial proliferation, which is known to shorten vase life, an isothiazoline antimicrobial compound was included in the vase solution. Treatment with GA₃ alone delayed the opening of tubular florets and increased the area of unopen florets, but stem elongation which led to stem bending shortened vase life. Treatment with GA₃ in combination with CaCl₂ suppressed the occurrence of stem bending. Combined treatment with GA₃ and CaCl₂ extended the vase life of cut gerbera more than treatment with CaCl₂ alone. To clarify whether GA₃ delays petal senescence, the effect of GA₃ at 10 and 50 mg·L⁻¹ on petal senescence was investigated using shortened stems. GA₃ at both concentrations significantly delayed petal senescence. Combined treatment with GA₃ and CaCl₂ also significantly extended the vase life of the cut gerbera ʻKimseyʼ and ʻSandyʼ. It was concluded that combined treatment with GA₃ and CaCl₂ is a suitable treatment for extending the vase life of cut gerbera.