Preharvest application of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide improves floral traits and postharvest performance of cut gladiolus inflorescences

Zulfiqar, Faisal; Moosa, Anam; Darras, Anastasios; Nafees, Muhammad; Ashraf, Muhammad; Al-Ashkar, Ibrahim; El Sabagh, Ayman; Hancock, John T

Abstract

Gladiolus is a well-known bulbous plant producing impressive cut spikes. Hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide are vital signaling molecules for the proper functioning of plant metabolism. Preharvest applications of these molecules to crops have gained attention in recent years due to their positive role in tackling abiotic stresses, although, their role in geophytes is comparatively less studied. We assessed the effects of preharvest H2S and NO treatments on development, flowering, harvest and postharvest performance of gladiolus inflorescences. NO and H2S+NO treatments increased preharvest performance of plants associated with corm production, inflorescences length and harvest time. Individual and combined treatments improved postharvest vase life (VL) up to 3.4 d. Total soluble proteins (TSP) were increased in response to H2S, NO and H2S+NO treatments by 39%, 43%, and 55%, respectively compared to the controls. Soluble sugars (SS) were increased after NO and H2S+NO treatments by up to 25% and 42%, respectively. Postharvest catalase (CAT) activity was higher by 65%, 68%, and 76% after H2S, NO and H2S+NO treatments, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased by all preharvest treatments by up to 88%, although, only the combined H2S+NO treatment reduced H2O2 and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The results confirm that preharvest treatments with H2S, NO and H2S+NO may positively affect growth, floral traits and postharvest performance of cut gladiolus inflorescences.

Citation

Zulfiqar, F., Moosa, A., Darras, A., Nafees, M., Ashraf, M., Al-Ashkar, I., …Hancock, J. T. (2024). Preharvest application of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide improves floral traits and postharvest performance of cut gladiolus inflorescences. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 43, 1153–1165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-023-11173-y

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 17, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 7, 2023
• Publication Date: Apr 30, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 18, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 8, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Plant Growth Regulation
• Print ISSN: 0721-7595
• Electronic ISSN: 1435-8107
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Pages: 1153–1165
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-023-11173-y
• Keywords: Soluble sugars; soluble proteins; antioxidants; hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde; vase life; leaf gas exchange
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11183052
• Publisher URL: https://www.springer.com/journal/344
• Additional Information: This was a collaborative project run in Pakistan, and I don't think the corresponding author paid any OA fees.