Cerium improves the vase life of Dianthus caryophyllus cut flower by regulating the ascorbate and glutathione metabolism

To study the role of cerium (Ce) in regulating the vase life of Dianthus caryophyllus cut flower, the effects of cerium nitrate (Ce(NO3)3) on the vase life, the activities of enzymes in the ascorbate and glutathione metabolism, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and electrolyte leakage (EL), and the contents of reduced and total ascorbate and glutathione in the petals were investigated. The results showed that Ce(NO3)3 significantly enhanced the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH) and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS), and the contents of reduced ascorbate (AsA), reduced glutathione (GSH), total ascorbate and total glutathione in the petals, compared with control. Meanwhile, Ce(NO3)3 significantly increased the vase life and decreased MDA content and EL. Our results suggested that Ce(NO3)3 increased the vase life of D. caryophyllus cut flower by enhancing the ascorbate and glutathione metabolism in the petals.