To clarify the effects of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and silver thiosulfate (STS, Ag(S₂O₃)₂^(3-)) on the vase life and senescence of cut carnation flowers, cut carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. Scania) were treated with distilled water (control), 5% sucrose 50 ppm AgNO₃+200 ppm 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ), 5% sucrose+0.3 mM STS, and 50 ppm ethephon as vase solutions. Vase life, flower diameter, fresh weight, solution uptake, ethylene production, total sugars, and crude protein of cut carnations were measured.
1. The solution containing sucrose, AgNO₃, and 8-HQ extended vase life 2. 4 times longer than control, and improved quality of cut carnations significantly by increasing flower diameter, fresh weight, and solution uptake but inhibiting ethylene production.
2. The solution containing sucrose and STS extended vase life 1.8 times longer than control, and improved quality of cut carnations remarkably by increasing flower diameter and fresh weight but inhibiting ethylene production.
3. Ethephon solution significantly increased ethylene production of cut carnations, and decreased fresh weight, water uptake, and flower diameter.
4. Total sugar contents of petals were markedly high in the flowers held in the solutions containing sucrose and tended to increase continuously until senescence.
5. Crude protein contents of petals decreased slowly as the flowers aged and then increased abruptly just prior to wilting.
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