EFFECT OF CYCLOHEXIMIDE ON SENESCENCE AND POST-HARVEST PERFORMANCE OF RANUNCULUS ASIATICUS L. FLOWERS

The effect of pretreatment with different concentrations of cycloheximide (CHI) on senescence and postharvest performance of isolated flowers of Ranunculus asiaticus was examined. At a particular threshold concentration CHI delays senescence and above which it prevents flower opening and promotes senescence. The fact that cycloheximide delays petal/sepal senescence demonstrates the synthesis of particular proteins probably enzymes, responsible for degradation of cellular constituents, executes the cell death programme in flower petals. Pretreatment of flowers with CHI at 0.01 and 0.05 mM concentrations was found to delay visible signs of senescence, maintain high fresh and dry mass of flowers and lower electrical conductivity of ion leachates. An increase in soluble protein content was observed with a concomitant decrease in specific protease activity and alpha-amino acid content, besides improving postharvest performance. Pretreatment of flowers with 0.05 mM CHI for 1h can be used as an effective treatment to improve postharvest longevity in this flower system.