Question

With reference to the vase-life of cut-flowers, identify the correct statement(s)
(A) For prolonging life and quality, cut-flowers are often held in holding (or) vase solutions
(B) The vase solutions contain a combination of carbohydrates, growth regulators, inhibitors and minerals.
(C) Any vase solution must contain essential two components i.e., mineral salts and ethylene inhibitors.
(D) Mineral salts help in preventing plugging of conducting tissues while ethylene inhibitors make available the respiratory substrates.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B), (C) and (D)
• B. (A), (C) and (D) only
• C. (A) and (B) only
• D. (A) and (D) only

Hint:

The most important ingredient in any home or commercial vase solution is a soluble carbohydrate (usually $1-2\%$ sucrose) combined with a mild biocide (like citric acid or 8-hydroxyquinoline) to keep the xylem vessels clear of bacteria.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The vase-life of cut flowers refers to the period during which they remain fresh and visually appealing after harvest.
Once cut, flowers lose their connection to roots and soil, making them vulnerable to water loss, vascular blockage by microbes, and depletion of carbohydrate reserves.
Vase solutions are formulated to address these physiological limitations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement regarding vase solutions:
Statement (A) is correct because holding or vase solutions are standard treatments used in post-harvest floriculture to keep cut flowers hydrated and maintain their quality.
Statement (B) is correct because effective vase solutions contain a balanced mix of:
- Carbohydrates (such as sucrose) to act as respiratory substrates.
- Biocides/minerals to prevent bacterial plugging of xylem vessels.
- Growth regulators (like gibberellins or cytokinins) to delay senescence.
- Ethylene inhibitors (like silver thiosulfate, STS) to block senescence-promoting ethylene.
Statement (C) is incorrect because mineral salts and ethylene inhibitors are not the only essential components.
A carbon source (carbohydrate) is critical for cellular respiration in cut flowers, and many effective solutions do not require ethylene inhibitors if the flowers are not ethylene-sensitive.
Statement (D) is incorrect because of its description of biochemical roles.
While mineral salts/biocides prevent xylem plugging, ethylene inhibitors do not make respiratory substrates available.
Instead, carbohydrates (like sucrose) serve as the respiratory substrates, while ethylene inhibitors simply block the signaling pathway that triggers senescence.
Therefore, only Statements (A) and (B) are correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Statements (A) and (B) are the only correct statements.
This corresponds to Option (C).