Abstract:
Objective Effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) application on the senescence and fragrance of cut peony flowers in vase were evaluated.
Method Cut flowers of Paeonia lactiflora Duchesse de Nemours were placed in vases with distilled water (CK), a basal solution added with 0, 5, 10, or 20 μmol·L−1 of MeJA. Flower diameter, fresh mass, relative fresh mass change, petal lightness (L*), and total color difference (ΔE*) were measured. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble protein contents and ethylene production rate of the cut flowers were determined. Volatiles in the petals on day 4 after start of experimentation were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). RT-qPCR was used to determine expressions of the genes related to aromatics biosynthesis, PlTPS6 and PlTPS2, as well as the key ethylene-biosynthesis genes, PlACS (GenBank accession no. JX512359) and PlACO (GenBank accession no. JN132109).
Results Presence of 10 μmol·L−1 MeJA in the vase water significantly improved the quality of cut flowers. The SOD and POD activities were significantly raised and MDA accumulation reduced in early to middle stages (P<0.05), while the initial petal cell membrane integrity largely maintained. The effect of MeJA addition on floral ethylene metabolism was concentration dependent. At 10 μmol·L−1, it significantly inhibited ethylene production and downregulated the expressions of PlACS and PlACO. Varied concentrations also affected differently in the composition and volatile relative peak-area ratio. For instance, the MeJA application at 10 μmol·L−1 elevated the relative contents of key volatiles, such as terpenoids and α-methylbenzyl alcohol, and upregulated the expressions of PlTPS6 and PlTPS2.
Conclusion Adding MeJA in vase water could alter the senescence and volatile metabolism of cut peonies. Among the tested concentrations, 10 μmol·L−1 MeJA showed outstanding benefits on the cut flowers in delaying aging, preserving ornamental quality, and positively regulating expressions of the genes related to aromatics biosynthesis.