Effects of 1-MCP and ethylene on postharvest quality and expression of senescence-associated genes in cut rose cv. Sparkle

• We investigate the effects of ethylene and 1-MCP on postharvest quality of cut rose ‘Sparkle’ and on the expression of Laccase (Lac) and Aquaporins (Aqu) genes.
• Ethylene results in over-expression of RhTIP1 gene, while the expression rate of RhPIP1 do not change.
• 1-MCP suppresses the expression of RhLAC gene in petals of cut rose cv. ‘Sparkle’.
• Laccase gene is regulated in downstream of ethylene signal transduction pathway.
• Laccase gene could be a potential index for evaluation of plant sensitivity to exogenous ethylene.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and ethylene on postharvest quality of cut rose ‘Sparkle’ and expression of Laccase and Aquaporins genes. Cut flowers were pre-treated with 0, 0.5 or 1 μL L−1 of 1-MCP concentrations for 12 h and subsequently exposed to 8 μL L−1 of exogenous ethylene for 6 h. Control treatment was received neither 1-MCP nor ethylene. Molecular study was carried out on petals of flowers pre-treated with 0 or 1 μL L−1 1-MCP exposed to 8 μL L−1 ethylene. The results showed that 1-MCP treatment did not have significant effects on flower diameter, relative fresh weight, solution uptake, and water loss, while it reduced ethylene production and chlorophyll degradation, and increased postharvest longevity. Control and ethylene treated cut stems revealed 2 days differences in postharvest longevity of ‘Sparkle’. 1-MCP suppressed the expression of all investigated genes except RhPIP1. The expression of RhLAC and RhTIP1 was induced by ethylene. Physiological and molecular data showed that this cultivar is sensitive to exogenous ethylene, while 1-MCP treatment inhibited ethylene's detrimental effects. Therefore, applying 1-MCP or other ethylene blocking agents are recommended as a postharvest treatment for extending the postharvest quality of cut rose ‘Sparkle’.