Effect of 5-sulfosalicylic acid on antioxidant activity during senescence in Oriental Lily

The effect of post harvest treatment viz., 5-sulfosalicylic acid and sucrose along with a control on physiological and biochemical changes during senescence of cut liliums was investigated in cultivar avocado of oriental group. It was found that vase life of cut liliums of cultivar avocado was significantly improved with 5-sulfosalicylic acid. Vase solution contained 5-sulfosalicylic acid resulted in better retention of membrane stability index till 20 days. Antioxidantsviz., ascorbic acid, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase were increased from stage 1(green bud) to stage 4(75% colour development)thereafter there were sudden and sharp decline with the onset of senescence. Among the different treatment, 5-sulfosalicylic acid was found to significantly increase the activity of antioxidants and retain the membrane stability index at higher level resulted in better vase life of cut liliums.