Antioxidative activities and qualitative changes in gladiolus cut flowers in response to salicylic acid application

•Salicylic acid influenced vase life and quality attributes of gladiolus cut flowers.•A physiological correlation was observed between salicylic acid and cellular membrane integrity of cut flowers in vase.•Salicylic acid application increased antioxidant enzymes activity.

Extension in the display life of cut flowers is a pre-requisite of floral industry to meet with the demands of growers, wholesalers and consumers. Various chemical preservatives and growth regulators are currently in use to enhance the shelf and decorative life of cut flowers. In this study, a well-established plant growth regulator salicylic acid (SA) was supplemented in various concentrations, viz., 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg SA L−1 in vase solution during two consecutive years 2010–11. Days taken to open floret, percent florets opened, vase life, percent fresh weight change, electrolyte leakage, activities of antioxidative enzymes SOD, POD, CAT, and free radicals scavenging activity were investigated in this study. Salicylic acid at 150 mg L−1 significantly increased the days to open florets, percent florets opened, retained higher fresh weight, and enhanced the SOD, POD, CAT and free radicals scavenging activity. The lowest electrolyte leakage and the highest free radical scavenging activity were recorded with SA levels of 200 and 150 mg L−1, respectively. The study concludes that SA is helpful in extending the vase life of gladiolus cut flower, and the highest physiological and biochemical response was at an optimum level of 150 mg SA L−1 of vase solution.