Silver Nanoparticles Ameliorate Postharvest Quality of Lilium cv. Eyeliner Cut Flowers

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
M. R. Dhiman 1
R. Kumar 1
S. Kumar 1
U. Mandal 2
1 ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Katrain - 175129, Himachal Pradesh, India.
2 ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun - 248195, Uttrakhand, India.
10.22034/JAST.27.4.909
Abstract
Lilium is widely known as one of the most important bulbous cut flowers internationally. Improper and inadequate post-harvest handling results in quality losses for retailed flowers. To address this issue, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of silver nanoparticles as higher concentration pulse or a lower concentration as vase solution on the postharvest performance of Lilium cut flowers. The 20-ppm pulsing of cut stems for 24 hours, followed by retention in 2% sucrose solution substantially improved the relative fresh weight, water uptake, water balance, and delayed leaf yellowing. However, higher concentration (40 ppm) extended the vase life by 3 days as compared to the control flowers. The lower concentration (20 ppm) of nanosilver as holding solution enhanced the physiological parameters and controlled the senescence related processes in leaves and petals. Vase life was enhanced to 4.35 days as compared to the flowers placed in distilled water as control. The present findings unequivocally highlight that a 40 ppm nanosilver pulse for 24 hours or a 20 ppm+2% sucrose vase solution can significantly prolong the vase life and positively influence the physiological parameters of cut Lilium flowers.

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 27, Issue 4
July and August 2025
Pages 909-920