Changes in Polyamine, Total Protein and Total Carbohydrate Content and Peroxidase Activity during the Lifetime of Chrysanthemum ‘Faroe’

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the changes in polyamine (PA) content, peroxidase (POX) activity and levels of total protein and total soluble carbohydrates throughout the lifetime of leaves and inflorescences of chrysanthemum ‘Faroe’ treated with gibberellic acid (GA3) (used in production practices) and kept at room temperature and cold storage. The treatments were composed of four doses of GA3 (0, 15, 30 and 45 mg L) applied at the beginning of flower bud formation (28 days after transplanting of seedlings). After harvesting, the stems (95% of the expanded ligule) were stored at 10°C and 95% relative humidity for 48 hrs, or kept at room temperature. For biochemical analysis samples of leaves and inflorescences were collected at the 4, 8, 12 and 16 day after harvest. The application of GA3 in the field and cold storage increased the content of PAs. There was an increase in POX activity in leaves and inflorescences during postharvest and this increase was related to oxidation of the PAs studied. The amount of proteins and carbohydrates in chrysanthemum ‘Faroe’ decreased during storage at 25°C and under cold conditions. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________