Failure of 2-Pyridinecarboxylic Acid, an Inhibitor of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate Oxidase, as a Universal Flower Care Agent to Extend the Vase Life of Cut Carnation Flowers

Abstract

2-Pyridinecarboxylic acid (2-PCA) acts as an inhibitor of ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana by binding to the active site of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase. In this study, we examined the action of 2-PCA in comparison with the action of 3-PCA, a recently discovered stimulator of flower opening, in cut flowers of the spray-type carnation cultivars, 'Light Pink Barbara (LPB)', 'Carnet', 'Collin', and 'Zulia'. With 'LPB' flowers, 2-PCA at 0.5-5 mM did not prolong the vase life, whereas 3-PCA at 5 mM did so. With the other three cultivars, 3-PCA generally promoted flower opening of all the cultivars. On the other hand, the action of 2-PCA on flower opening and senescence varied with the carnation cultivar and time of harvest, resulting in a shortened, unchanged or lengthened vase life of the flowers. 2-PCA also caused severe bending of flower stems in all cultivars, which lowered the display value of the flowers. The present results showed that 2-PCA is not likely to be a useful flower care agent in carnation flowers.