Herbaceous Peony Polyphenols Extend the Vase Life of Cut Flowers

Herbaceous peony is a potential material for cut flowers, but its short vase life seriously affects the development of cut herbaceous peony flowers industry. In this study, herbaceous peony polyphenols were applied to extend the vase life of cut flowers, and the results indicated that 8% mass concentration of herbaceous peony polyphenols increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities; increased the soluble protein content of the cut flowers; and effectively reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Meanwhile, herbaceous peony polyphenols increased the water balance value of cut flowers. In addition, the observation of microstructures indicated that herbaceous peony polyphenols reduced the blockage mainly caused by Aspergillus spp. at the stem ends and inhibited the growth of Aspergillus spp. Additionally, aquaporin genes (AQPs), including three plasma membrane intrinsic protein genes (PlPIP1;2, PlPIP2;1, and PlPIP2;2) and one intrinsic protein gene (PlNIP), were isolated. PlPIP1;2, PlPIP2;1, and PlPIP2;2, which were induced by polyphenol treatment, had common effects on maintaining the water balance of cut flowers. Therefore, herbaceous peony polyphenols can significantly extend the vase life of cut flowers; these results provide for the application of the theoretical reference of herbaceous peony polyphenols in extending the vase life of cut flowers.