Abstract
Hybiscus syriacus L. is known as a plant whose flower life is very short. With the aim of understanding the factors that induce floral senescence of H. syriacus L., various treatments, which affect flower senescence or longevity, were conducted. Sucrose, boric acid and ethanol had no significant effect on Hibiscus flower. The treatments with ethylene, ACC, and ethephon enhanced floral senescence of Hibiscus while AVG showed a strong effect on longevity of this flower. Cycloheximide, MGBG and spermine accelerated flower senescence when treated before full bloom, but such effect was diminished or abolished when treated after full bloom. These chemicals resulted in the ethylene production before blooming. Exogenous application of ethylene before blooming also accelerated floral senescence. Furthermore, endogenous ethylene production before blooming was correlated with flower senescence. These results suggest that ethylene production before flowering has a key role in determination of the timing of Hibiscus flower senescence.
