The Effect of Cola on Postharvest Physiological Characteristics of Cut Alstroemeria

The present study has assessed the effect of cola in increasing flowerlongevity of flower and delaying aging of cut alstroemeria ‘balance’. distilledwater was used as control. traits of flower diameter, solution absorption ,anthocyanins,total soluble solids and chlorophyll were measured at 3 times andvase life was measured daily. based on the results, flower diameter, anthocyaninsand chlorophyll were significant at 1% level and solution absorption wassignificant at 5% level. the highest flower longevity was related to concentration500 ml l-1 cola with 16 days, while the control was 9 days. the highestsolution absorption rate belonged to 250 ml l-1 treatment of cola. cola concentrationof 375 ml l-1 had the greatest flower diameter and chlorophyll. accordingto the results of means comparison, amount of anthocyanin in differentconcentrations of cola was the same. in general, cola delayed aging alstroemeriaflowers due to having compounds such as citric acid, phosphoric acid, sugar,sodium benzoate, etc., and by providing flowers with required carbohydratesand antimicrobial effect.