Moringa leaf extract pulse extends longevity of selected cut flowers

Pakistan cut flower industry is dominated by roses, gladioli and tuberoses, which are only marketed locally due to a poor postharvest handling chain and unavailability of commercial preservatives. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) on the postharvest performance of cut ‘White Prosperity’ Gladiolus hybrids, ‘Angelique’, ‘Gold Medal’ and ‘Kardinal’ Rosa hybrids, and ‘Single’ Polianthes tuberosa stems. MLE was applied at 0, 1, 5, 10, 20 or 30 mL L^‑1 as a pulsing solution for 24 h followed by placement in distilled water or continuous vase application of 0, 1, 2, 5, or 10 mL L^‑1 MLE until termination of vase life. Pulsing of cut stems with 10 mL L^‑1 MLE for 24 h extended the vase life by 3.0 d for gladiolus, 2.7, 1.1 or 1.1 d for ‘Angelique’, ‘Gold Medal’ or ‘Kardinal’ roses, respectively, and by 2.5 d for tuberose stems, as compared with stems kept in water (control). Pulsing with MLE at 10 mL L^‑1 also maintained higher water uptake of gladiolus, ‘Gold Medal’ rose, and tuberose, and the dry weight of the cut stems, and reduced the electrolyte leakage of cut stems of all tested species and cultivars. Vase application of 2 mL L^‑1 MLE extended the vase life by ≈1 d over control, maintained water uptake and dry weight of cut stems, and reduced the electrolyte leakage of all species/cultivars. In summary, MLE can be used at 10 mL L^‑1 as a 24-h pulse or at 2 mL L^‑1 as a vase solution to extend the vase life and maintain the quality of cut gladiolus, rose and tuberose flowers. However, pulsing had a greater effect on longevity compared to a continuous vase application.