Production of nano emulsions to extend the life of gerbera cuttings flowers

Minimizing postharvest lesions on cut flowers and extend their postharvest life, with consider the high cost of production and the high sensitivity of the flower is very important. This research was conducted to determine the effect and optimum concentration of preservative solution containing silver nanoparticles and sucrose on Gerbera cut flowers. The treatments were silver nanoparticles (۰, ۵ and ۱۰ mg / L), sucrose (۲% and ۵%) and duration time (۲۴ and ۷۲ hours).The flowers were in a room with an average temperature of ۲۱ ° C, ۷۰% relative humidity, and a ۱۴-hour illumination with a light intensity of ۱۵ macromol / m / l. Flower Shell life, fresh weight loss and bacterial number in stem were evaluated. Results showed that in gerbera flowers, silver nanoparticles with concentration of ۱۰ mg / l had the highest shell life, but control treatment had the lowest means. In ۱۰ mg / l concentration of silver nanoparticles, the lowest number of bacteria per stem was observed in flowers. The highest shell life was observed in gerbera at ۲% sucrose. The highest weight loss was observed in sucrose treatment at ۵% sucrose concentration in gerbera flower (۹.۴۳). Due to the results of this study, it is necessary to test the best concentration of chemical material for different flower genotypes.

Keywords:

Flower Shell life , Gerbera , Silver nanoparticles , Sucrose