Commercial Floriculture

Physiological changes during flower senescence

1. Loss of dry matter due to hydrolysis of macromolecules such as starch, sugars, proteins and nucleic acid.
2. Break down of starch into sugars which are transported to the flowers.
3. Release of ammonia due to break down of proteins causes bluing of petals.
4. Change in membrane permeability results in leakage of pigments, mineral ions and total electrolytes leading to death of tissues.
5. Peak respiration rate at bud opening and during senescence period.
6. Changes in vascular system break down of vessel cells and appearance of globular bodies.