ISHS Acta Horticulturae 261: IV International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants
PETAL SENESCENCE OF ROSE FLOWERS: A COMPARISON OF CHANGES IN MEMBRANE-RELATED PROPERTIES IN CUT AND ATTACHED FLOWERS |
| Authors: | H. Itzhaki, A. Borochov, S. Mayak |
| Abstract:
Changes in the morphology of cut rose flowers, cv. Mercedes, during development and senescence are known to differ from those of attached flowers. The present study compares physical and chemical properties of petal membranes in these two systems. A decline in membrane fluidity associated with aging has been observed in cut flowers. In both cut and detached flowers there was an initial increase, followed by a decrease, in phospholipid (PL) content. Consequently, an increase in the ST/PL mole ratio was found in both cases, beginning earlier and reaching higher values in the cut flowers. The changes in ST/PL values were closely correlated to those of membrane fluidity, as those of PL content were with the activity of CDP-choline transferase, a key enzyme in the phosphatidylcholine synthesis. | |
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