Alleviation of antioxidants activity in gladiolus flowers during senescence by spermine and spermidine

Investigations were carried out to find the answer why and how polyamines viz., spermine and spermidine in combination with sucrose in vase solution increased the vase life and delayed the senescence in gladi-olus cut spikes. It was observed that spermine and spermidine were able to maintain higher protein content for longer duration in the florets of both the cvs. viz., Dhanwantari and Snow Princess compared to control. During senescence activities of various antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (AP) were for longer period in spermine and spermidine treatments. It seems that polyamines directly can scavenge free radicals produced during senescence. Between the two treatments, spermine was more effective in delaying the flower senescence in gladiolus cut spikes.