“From villain to hero”: Harnessing the gaseous grace of nitric oxide for prolonged elegance in Antirrhinum majus L. cut spikes

The current investigation meticulously examines the efficacy of Nitric Oxide (NO) on postharvest senescence in cut spikes of Antirrhinum majus. The spikes were harvested having two or more buds at on day before anthesis stage. The spikes underwent treatment with distinct concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) – 10 μM, 20 μM and 30 μM, while a control group was immersed in distilled water. The findings illuminate a substantial delay in senescence in cut spikes of Antirrhinum majus when subjected to SNP treatment, resulting in a notably prolonged longevity. The study postulates that the augmented postharvest longevity attributed to SNP is intricately connected to the suppression of bacterial proliferation, improved uptake of solution and enhanced membrane integrity. Moreover, the SNP treatments induced a discernible elevation in the activities of antioxidant enzymes while concurrently diminishing lipoxygenase activity, thereby alleviating oxidative stress in the floral tissues. Furthermore, the treated spikes exhibited heightened levels of soluble proteins, total phenols and sugars fractions in the floral tissues compared to the control. The concentration of 20 µM SNP emerged as the most effective, ensuring a remarkable postharvest longevity of 18 days for the spikes. In contrast, the untreated control spikes exhibited early signs of senescence and endured for a mere 8 days. This research not only sheds light on the intricate interplay of NO in postharvest senescence but also underscores the nuanced effects of SNP concentrations on the vitality and longevity of Antirrhinum majus cut spikes.