Water Control in Cut Stems of Rose and Carnation

This PhD Thesis address, on cut flowers vase life, physiological mechanisms aimed at maintaining and regulating tissues hydration, cellular turgor, water use and senescence phenomena. Specifically we considered the effect of compatible solutes (osmoregulation) on water status, hydration state and vase life of cut stems of rose and carnation (chapter 1). In the second chapter we evaluated the application of anti-transpirant compounds that may act indirectly or directly on rose cut stems transpiration, in order to control the water use and longevity during the vase life. Finally (Chapter 3) we assessed how anti ethylene compounds may delay senescence phenomena of carnation cut stems, with the purpose to evaluate this effect in terms of on water balance, hydration and longevity during the vase life.