The Extension of Vase Life in Cut Gerbera Flowers through Pretreatment with Gibberellin A3 in Combination with Calcium Chloride

Abstract

The effect of pretreatment with gibberellin A3 (GA3) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the vase life of cut gerbera ‘Minou’ was investigated. Cut gerbera flowers were treated with GA3 and/or CaCl2 for 24 h and then transferred to an antimicrobial solution. Pretreatment with GA3 at 0, 29, 72, 144, and 289 µM delayed the opening of the tubular florets and promoted stem bending due to elongation of the flower stems, which shortened vase life. When cut gerbera was pretreated with 144 µM GA3 in combination with CaCl2 at 90, 180, 270, and 360 mM, stem elongation was suppressed with the increasing concentration of CaCl2. Next, the effect of pretreatment with 144 µM GA3, 270 mM CaCl2, and their combination on the vase life of the cut gerbera was investigated. Combined treatment with GA3 and CaCl2 significantly extended vase life more than GA3 alone and CaCl2 alone. The vase life of the cut gerbera ‘Banana’, ‘Kimsey’, ‘Pinta’, ‘Tim’, and ‘Vivid’ was significantly extended by pretreatment with 144 µM GA3 and 270 mM CaCl2. It was concluded that combined treatment with GA3 and CaCl2 was effective in extending the vase life of the cut gerbera.