M. HASHEMI - Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan
S. H. MIRDEHGHAN - Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan
H. FARAHMAND - Bahonar University of Kerman

ABSTRACT- Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum) is one of the most important ornamental plants used as cut flower, flowering pot plant and groundcover worldwide. In this research, the effects of preservative solutions containing thymol (۷۵ and ۱۲۵ mg -L), menthol (۷۵ and ۱۲۵ mg L-۱) and eugenol (۷۵ and ۱۲۵ mg L-۱) on the quality and vase-life of chrysanthemum cut flowers at ۳±۱ºC and ۷۵-۸۰% RH were evaluated. ۴% Sucrose was added to all solutions and distilled water+۴% Sucrose was considered as the control treatment. The highest vase-life (۵۹.۵۸ days) was obtained by thymol ۱۲۵ mg L-۱, followed by thymol ۷۵ mg L-۱ (۵۹.۱۷ days), compared to the control (۳۱.۰۸ days). Compared to the control and other treatments, thymol (۷۵ and ۱۲۵ mg L-۱) decreased petal wilting and increased preservative solution uptake, flower relative weight, flower TSS, leaf membrane stability, flower diameter and vase-life. Thus, thymol is suggested as the best treatment.

Keywords: Essential oils, Microorganism, Petal wilting, Preservative solution, Vascular blockage