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Nitric oxide effectively orchestrates postharvest flower senescence: a case study of Consolida ajacis.

Nitric oxide releasing compound sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is regarded as novel chemical to beat the daunting challenges of postharvest losses in cut flowers. In the recent years, it has yielded propitious results as postharvest vase preservative for cut flowers. Our study explicates the efficacy of SNP in mitigating postharvest senescence in Consolida ajacis (L.) Schur cut spikes. The freshly excised C. ajacis spikes were subjected to different SNP treatments viz, 20μM, 40μM, 60μM and 80μM. The control spikes were held in distilled water. The spikes held in test solutions showed a marked improvement in vase life and flower quality. Our results indicate a profound surge in sugars, phenols and soluble proteins in SNP-treated spikes over control. Moreover, the SNP treatments improved membrane stability as signposted by decreased lipoxygenase activity (LOX). The SNP treatments also upregulated different antioxidant enzymes viz, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The current study recommends 40μM SNP as optimum concentration for preserving floral quality and extending display period of C. ajacis spikes. Together, these findings reveal that SNP at proper dosage can efficiently alleviate deteriorative postharvest changes by modulating physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying senescence.