Promotion of Flower Opening of Spray-type Carnation Cut Flowers by 3-Pyridinecarboxylic Acid, a Simple Analog of Pyridinedicarboxylic Acids (PDCAs) Including 2,3- and 2,4-PDCAs

Abstract

Pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) analogs extend the vase life of spray-type (SP) carnation flowers by accelerating flower opening and retarding senescence. Among the PDCA analogs, 2,3-PDCA and 2,4-PDCA are equally and highly effective. In the present study, we characterized the promotion of flower opening by PDCAs and their analogs, pyridinecarboxylic acids. The present results showed that 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (3-PCA), and its derivative, 3-PCA amide, are most active in accelerating flower opening of 'Light Pink Barbara' carnation cut flowers. 3-PCA treatment promoted flower opening in cut flowers of many SP carnation cultivars, that had been stored dry at 2-4°C for 3 weeks and resulted in extension of their display time.

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

“…3-PCA at 5 mM tended to shorten the time to flower opening to 2.8 days, and significantly extend-ed the vase life to 9.3 days. Promotion of flower opening and extension of vase life by 3-PCA treatment agreed with the previous findings (Satoh and Nomura, 2019). The present results showed that 2-PCA at less than 5 mM did not extend the vase life of 'LPB' flowers, and did not support our initial hypothesis.…”

“…Among PDCA isomers, 2,3-PDCA and 2,4-PDCA were shown to be equally and highly effective (Sugiyama and Satoh, 2015). Further analysis on the promotion of flower opening in carnation flowers revealed that a carboxyl group substituted on position 3 of the pyridine ring is necessary to exert its activity on flower opening, and 3pyridinecarboxylic acid (3-PCA) and its derivative, 3-PCA amide, most effectively promoted flower opening (Satoh and Nomura, 2019). Unfortunately, however, the mechanism for promotion of flower opening by these PCA and PDCA analogs remains unknown.…”

“…However, it may be useful to regulate senescence of flowers which are used for non-edible and ornamental purposes. Satoh and Nomura (2019) recently showed that 2-PCA treatment did not extend the vase life of cut flowers of 'Light Pink Barbara (LPB)' carnations, but in fact shortened the vase life of the flowers. Cut 'LPB' flowers were shown to produce ethylene during flower senescence (Satoh et al, 2014).…”

“…These findings do not support the above-mentioned proposal that 2-PCA is a potent retardant of ethylene-related senescence in flowers. Satoh and Nomura (2019) used 2-PCA at 5 mM to compare its effects with those of the isomers of PDCAs and PCAs, which were previously used effectively at 5 mM. 2-PCA acts as a general inhibitor by chelating metal ions such as Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , and Cu 2+ (Fernandez-Pol and Johnson, 1977).…”

“…2-PCA acts as a general inhibitor by chelating metal ions such as Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , and Cu 2+ (Fernandez-Pol and Johnson, 1977). 2-PCA at 5 mM may act as a general inhibitor by chelating some metal ions, and disturbing enzyme action responsible for maintaining cell metabolism; it had no, or little, effect on flower senescence in the experiment of Satoh and Nomura (2019). We assumed that 2-PCA may act as a specific inhibitor of ethylene production when used at lower concentrations.…”