Plant Growth Regulation

, Volume 1, Issue 4, pp 221–232 | Cite as

Senescence of cut carnation flowers: Ovary development and CO2 fixation

  • E. L. Cook
  • J. Van Staden
Article
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

In the presence of ethylene, which enhances carnation flower senescence, carbohydrates contribute to ovary growth not only from the stem and calyx but also from the petals. With silver thiosulphate and ethanol treatments which delay flower senescence, the petals remain the active sink and ovary development is suppressed. Ethylene stimulated chloroplast development in the ovary wall. However, the calyx plus stem of all treatments showed the greater photosynthetic ability and transported a major portion of the synthesised products to the ovary.

Key words

Dianthus caryophyllus carnation cut flower senescence carbohydrates petals ovary ethylene CO2 fixation 
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Copyright information

© Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers 1982/83

Authors and Affiliations

  • E. L. Cook
    • 1
  • J. Van Staden
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of BotanyUniversity of NatalPietermaritzburgRepublic of South Africa

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