Biochemical Regulation of Oxidative Stress to Delay Senescence in Gladiolus Cut Flowers

The research was carried out at Arish University, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural sciences during four weeks in April 2022. It was mainly aiming at assessing the basic biochemical and molecular pathways through which multi-component preservative solutions extend the postharvest life of gladiolus cut flowers. The goal of the study was to gauge metabolic efficiency. Respiration rate and cell defense system against oxidative stress activities of Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Peroxidase (POD) enzymes as well as Ethylene Sensitivity. Sixteen treatments, which included Sucrose (S), Silver Nitrate (AgNO3), Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Benzyladenine (BA) were evaluated. It was found that high longevity is associated with the continued active production of Peroxidase (POD) enzyme specifically during the later stages (Day 28), which is essential in upholding integrity, structural rigidity of the cell wall. Treatments that provided energy (S) and ensured vascular patency (AgNO3) produced the best balance T15 (S + AgNO3 + GA3 + BA) and T5 (S + AgNO3) turned out to have the highest long-term POD activity. Also, T13 (S + GA3 + BA) surprisingly had the lowest end-ethylene sensitivity (55.47%), and this indicates a strong, non-chemical physiological resistance to senescence. The study reported that a combination of controlled energy use and enforced defensive efforts with enzymes is the basic approach towards the fulfilment of the postharvest quality and marketability of Gladiolus.