Effects of Anti-Ethylene Treatments on Ethylene Production and Antioxidant Activities in Cut Spray Carnation

The present investigation was aimed to study changes in ethylene production, ACC content and antioxidant enzymes of cut spray carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flowers that had been treated with amino-oxyacetic acid (AOA), benzyladenine (BA) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Maximum vase life in ‘Optima’ spray carnations was obtained with 0.6 mg l^-1 1-MCP. Ethylene production was significantly decreased by AOA at concentrations over 100 mg l^-1, BA at 30 mg l^-1, and 1-MCP at all concentrations, compared with the control. A significant increase in ACC content was observed in 1-MCP treated cut flowers compared with the control. However, the decline in ACC content was observed after using 100 or 150 mg l^-1 AOA. A significant increase in SOD, CAT and POX enzyme activities was observed in the treatment with 0.6 mg l^-1 1-MCP.