In vitro Culture and Bulblets Induction of Asiatic Hybrid Lily ‘Red Alert’

Although goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is considered an invasive plant in many countries, it is a global cut-flower species. In addition, demand for goldenrod has increased significantly in recent years. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the response of Solidago canadensis cv. Tara to brassinosteroids (BRs) at levels of 0.10⁻³, 10⁻⁶, and 10⁻⁸ M, and chitosan at 0, 100, 150, and 200 mg/L as a foliar application to increase the quality and quantity of production, and its polyphenolic compounds. Moreover, antibacterial activity and genetic polymorphism for both untreated and the optimally treated goldenrod were investigated. The results showed that the highest mean of growth characteristics was found when plants were treated with BRs at 10⁻⁸ M, whereas the longer vase life was obtained using 200 mg/L chitosan. Furthermore, higher pigment values, N, P, K, and total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, chlorogenic acid, and rutin content were detected on plants treated with 200 mg/L chitosan. In addition, foliar application with 200 mg/L chitosan caused higher antibacterial activity among the control and BRs. The optimal treatment of BR at 10⁻⁸ M (89%) showed a low genetic similarity, based on sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) analysis, comparable with the control and 200 mg/L chitosan. BR at 10⁻⁸ M and 200 mg/L chitosan showed a significant enhancement of growth parameters. As a result, it can be concluded that goldenrod, as a herb extract, shows significant promise as a natural preservative in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic products.

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Servantes’) is a popular and economically cut flower widely used in the florist industry. However, post-harvest senescence occurs in a few days and limits the cut carnation flowers’ commercialization. Therefore, this research was performed to investigate the impact of essential oils such as tea tree oil (TTO), pumpkin seed oil (PSO), Moringa seed essential oils (MEO), and Eucalyptus oils (EEO), as eco-friendly preservative solutions to enhance the quality and longevity of carnation flowers. Carnation cut flowers were submitted to different concentrations (250 and 500 mg L^-1) of each essential oil used in the vase solution and the experiments were carried out as a completely randomized design in three replicates. The findings revealed that the longest vase life and the maximum total water solution uptake in cut carnation were achieved when treated with either TTO or PSO oil at 500 mg L^-1 in solution preservative as compared to the control (distilled water). While the highest relative fresh weight was observed at 500 mg L^-1 PSO, the highest chlorophyll a, b, total carotenoids, total sugar, total phenolic content in leaves, anthocyanin content, and enzyme activity in petals at 500 mg L^-1 TTO and PSO. Additionally, all treatments of selected oils have positively declined the bacteria activity compared to control. Also, the lowest bacteria growth on third day with 500 mg L^-1 TTO and PSO. However, observing a prim state of xylem vessels with TTO 500 mg L^-1and PSO 500 mg L^-1, comparable with distilled water, the application of essential oil in this study as a natural preservative in preservative solution as an alternative to chemicals could be of environmental value and great economic.

Nanoparticles present innovative solutions for postharvest applications, allowing for the development of compounds that effectively extend the vase life of cut flowers by reducing ethylene production and preventing bacterial growth. As a leading choice among cut flowers, Tulips encounter common issues such as neck bending and a limited display life, which can severely impact their marketability. This experiment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nano chitosan (CHS-NPs) at 3.5 and 7.0 mg L ^− 1 , nano copper (Cu-NPs) at 15 and 30 mg L ^− 1 , and Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (LG) at 150 and 300 mg L ^− 1 as innovative, eco-friendly solutions for improving the quality and extending the vase life of cut tulip flowers. The findings reveal that CHS-NPs and Cu-NPs significantly prolong the vase life of cut tulip flowers, with optimal concentrations determined to be 30 mg L ^− 1 Cu-NPs (15.56 and 16.33 days) and 7.5 mg L ^− 1 CHS-NPs (13.01 and 14.00 days), respectively. The greatest RFW% was 110.97 and 112.30% on day 7 in both seasons of cut tulip flowers treated with 30 mg L ^− 1 Cu-NPs. These treatments enhance water uptake and relative fresh weight (RFW%), effectively inhibit microbial growth at the stem base, and prevent bacterial blockages in the xylem for up to seven days. Moreover, they substantially increase chlorophyll levels, total soluble carbohydrates, and proteins while decreasing hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) production, thereby enhancing membrane stability. At the same time, the highest SOD and CAT activity were 1.77 and 1.92 Units mg ^− 1 protein and 2.82 and 2.98 Units mg ^− 1 protein with the 30 mg L ^− 1 Cu-NPs in the first and second seasons, respectively. In conclusion, CHS-NPs at 7.5 mg L ^− 1 and Cu-NPs at 30 mg L ^− 1 significantly enhance the vase life of cut tulips by improving water balance and antioxidant activity, with Cu-NPs demonstrating better effectiveness. Adopting Cu-NPs at the recommended concentration should be prioritized in the tulip floral industry.

Purpose: The loss of flower quality after harvesting is a major concern in the floriculture industry. Because cut flower solutions are quickly contaminated with microbes, causing flower damage, they must be modified to enhance and extend the life of the vase. Methods: Eco-friendly preservative solutions were examined to investigate the efficiency of natural essential oils of eucalyptus, neem and rosemary at concentrations of 200 and 400 mg L^–1 each on the biological, physiological, and anatomical traits and vase life of solidago (Solidago canadensis) cut flower. Results: Using different essential oils at both concentrations showed significant impact on cut flower longevity. The maximum vase life was obtained by solidago placed in a preservative solution containing 400 mg L^–1 of neem essential oil, which enhanced water uptake and relative fresh weight and reduced both water loss and microbial count when compared to other treatments and control treatment. The chlorophyll, total phenol, flavonoid, and carotenoid content of the spikes increased in solidago cut-flower placed in a preservative solution containing neem essential oil 400 mg L⁻¹. Results also showed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels and total antioxidant activity (DPPH radical-scavenging activity) with the application of all natural oils supply. Anatomically, cut flowers that treated with essential oils had considerably clearer vessels and significantly fewer bacteria than untreated cut flowers. Conclusion: The higher concentration of different essential oils gave better results than the lower concentration. These results suggest that for the floriculture industry, natural phyto-oils provide a clear viable method to extend the vase life of solidago cut flowers. Thus, neem oil at a concentration of 400 mg L^–1 added to a preservative solution is considered the most promising practice for prolonging the vase life and maintaining high quality of Solidago.

Recently, several countries have been using silicon (Si) fertilization in agricultural plants. The application of Si has a beneficial role on plant growth via affecting the cellular metabolites and physiological events. However, there are little findings that interpret the impact of different Si sources on physiological and agronomical traits of Brunfelsia grandiflora. Along the two seasons of 2022 and 2023, this study examined the impact of different Si sources (diatomite (DM), which comprises several elements and soluble SiO₂ (86–89%), potassium silicate K₂O₅Si₂ (PS), and silica-nanoparticles (SNP)) at different rates on biochemical constituents, nutritional status, growth and flowering of B. grandiflora. In addition to check treatment (no Si application), three levels of each of DM (2.5%, 5%, and 10%; DM2.5, DM5, and DM10, respectively), PS (1, 2 and 3 g L^–1; PS1, PS2 and PS3, respectively), and SNP (100, 200, and 300 mg L^− 1; SNP100, SNP200 and SNP300, respectively) were sprayed three times at four-week intervals, initiating 30 days after planting. The estimated data showed that DM and SNP as sources of Si had remarkable potential for ameliorating photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanin, nutrients content and secondary metabolites, hence the morphological and flowering traits of B. grandiflora. SNP had a positive impact comparable with DM or PS. Foliar application of SNP100 exhibited the maximum increases in plant pigments concentration with high healthy status and flower production. However, the supplementation of DM as a natural Si fertilizer should not be neglected where DM2.5 had acceptable growth and flowering potential compared to PS and untreated plants. Si supplementation, particularly with SNP and DM, improved morphological and floral traits by boosting pigment content (photosynthetic and anthocyanin), increasing phenolics and flavonoids level, and enhancing overall antioxidant capacity. The growers are advised to insert Si in fertilization programs of B. grandiflora to obtain high flower yield and quality. According to the availability, application of silica-nanoparticles at 100 mg L^− 1 or diatomite 2.5% are costless and good practices to nourish B. grandiflora plants.