The study of the regulatory mechanism of exogenous plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the relevant physiological indicators is essential to maintain the normal growth of Rosa hybrida under high-temperature conditions. The photosynthetic and physiological characteristics of the ornamental cut rose Rosa hybrida ‘Carolla’ under high temperature were studied by spraying leaves with various concentrations of exogenous salicylic acid (SA; 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mmol·L⁻¹), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA; 10, 20, 30, or 50 μmol·L⁻¹), abscisic acid (ABA; 10, 20, 30, or 50 mg·L⁻¹), or distilled water (control). The results indicated that a foliar spray of either SA, 6-BA, or ABA could mitigate the impact of high temperatures. Compared to the control, the application of SA, 6-BA, or ABA increased the net CO₂ assimilation rate (A_n), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (G_s), and water use efficiency (WUE) of ‘Carolla’, while decreasing the leaf relative electrical conductivity (REC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The applications of SA, 6-BA, or ABA increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and altered the proline (Pro), soluble protein, and soluble sugar contents. The results showed that foliar sprays of SA, 6-BA, or ABA could enhance the heat tolerance of ‘Carolla’ by promoting photosynthesis, cell membrane structural stability, antioxidant enzyme activity, and osmoregulation in plants under high-temperature stress. The experiment showed that 1.5 mmol·L⁻¹ SA, 20 μmol·L⁻¹ 6-BA, or 75 μmol·L⁻¹ ABA could alleviate the damage caused by high temperatures, with 20 μmol·L⁻¹ 6-BA having the best effect.

Anthurium andreanum was one of the best indoor ornamental plants. Two cultivars of Anthurium andreanum (Pink Champion, Alabama) were used to investigate the effects of light quality on physiological and biochemical indexes. There were six different light quality treatments: Fluorescent Daylight Lamp (CK), and RB (100% Blue, 60% R + 40% B, 70% R + 30% B, 80% R + 20% B, 100% Red) provided by light emitting diodes (LED). The results showed that blue light was beneficial to shoot growth and dry matter accumulation, photosynthetic rate, soluble sugar, and POD activities. Red light was beneficial for the synthesis and accumulation of soluble protein, and could promote root growth. ‘Pink Champion’ and ‘Alabama’ obtained the relatively better morphological parameters, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activities in 7:3 and 6:4 treatments. The antioxidant enzyme (POD, SOD) activities under composite light of red and blue treatments were better than that of monochromatic red, blue light treatments and CK on the whole. Comprehensive evaluation showed that the treatment of 7:3 was a suitable light environment indoors and could be used as the preferred light quality ratio in the production and application of Anthurium andreanum.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of exogenous calcium on the tolerance of Rosa hybrida ‘Carolla’ to high-temperature and the physiological mechanisms underlying this response. Leaves of ‘Carolla’ grown under stress were treated by spraying four different concentrations of calcium chloride (CaCl₂; 50, 100, 150, or 200 μM). The photosynthetic responses, antioxidant enzyme activities, and osmotic substance contents were measured under high-temperature stress at the flowering stage. Temperature-stressed ‘Carolla’ with CaCl₂ treatment showed significantly increased chlorophyll (Chl) content, net photosynthetic rate (An), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities together with proline (Pro), soluble sugar (SS), and soluble protein (SP) concentrations, while malonaldehyde (MDA) content and relative electrical conductivity (REC) were significantly reduced. The damages caused by high-temperature stress were alleviated by applying CaCl₂. Among the CaCl₂ treatments, 100 μM CaCl₂ best minimized the damage caused by high-temperature to ‘Carolla’. This study showed that exogenous calcium could improve the tolerance of Rosa hybrida ‘Carolla’ to high-temperature stress by regulating photosynthesis, the antioxidant system, and osmotic substances.

Paeonia ostii is a worldwide ornamental flower and an emerging oil crop. Zyotic embryogenesis is a critical process during seed development, and it can provide a basis for improving the efficiency of somatic embryogenesis (SE). In this study, transcriptome sequencing of embryo development was performed to investigate gene expression profiling in P. ostii and identified Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to transcription factors, plant hormones, and antioxidant enzymes. The results indicated that IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid), GA (Gibberellin), BR (Brassinosteroid) and ETH (Ethylene) were beneficial to early embryonic morphogenesis, while CTK (Cytokinin) and ABA (Abscisic Acid) promoted embryo morphogenesis and maturation. The antioxidant enzymes’ activity was the highest in early embryos and an important participant in embryo formation. The high expression of the genes encoding fatty acid desaturase was beneficial to fast oil accumulation. Representative DEGs were selected and validated using qRT-PCR. Protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was predicted, and six central node proteins, including AUX1, PIN1, ARF6, LAX3, ABCB19, PIF3, and PIF4, were screened. Our results provided new insights into the formation of embryo development and even somatic embryo development in tree peonies.

Rapid wilting after harvest greatly decreases the ornamental and economic value of fresh-cut flowers. To determine how chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) affects postharvest flower quality, Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hushui Dangxia’ cut flowers in bottles were treated with different concentrations of ClO₂ (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L⁻¹). Among the treatments, ClO₂ 75 (i.e., 75 mg L⁻¹) decreased the bacterial growth and lignin content at the P. lactiflora flower stem base, while also decreasing the degree of flower stem vessel blockage. Additionally, the ClO₂ 75 treatment increased the relative fresh weight, water balance, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase), but decreased the malondialdehyde content and ethylene release rate of P. lactiflora cut flowers. Thus, the aging of P. lactiflora flowers was delayed, thereby maintaining the cut flower quality. Furthermore, the vase life (i.e., ornamental period) increased by three days.