Abstract:

There are a series of physiological and biochemical changes in the senescence process of cut flower petals, including the decline of soluble protein content, changes of sugar content, synthesis of large quantity of ethylene , and increase of free radicals, etc. We reviewed the physiological mechanism of cut flower petals senescence from metabolism of protein and amino acid, metabolism of sugars, endogenous hormones and membrane lipid peroxidation. Future research direction was also discussed.

Key words: cut flowers, petal, senescence, physiology mechanism