EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA ON THE VASE LIFE OF GERBERA FLOWERS.

In this study, the effects of three different bacterial isolates added to the vase solution on the vase life were investigated. All three bacterial isolates significantly increased the vase life of gerbera cut flowers. While the vase life of the flowers in the control solution was 3 days, this period reached up to 11 days in the flowers kept in the vase containing bacteria. Daily water uptake decreased with increasing time in vase in all treatments. Although there were some differences between treatments in terms of daily water uptake, it has been determined that bacteria application does not have a significant effect on water uptake. The relative fresh weight decreased with increasing time in the vase. For example, in the solution containing Z7 bacteria, which allows the flowers to live the longest, the flower weight, which was 89 g on August 11, decreased day by day and decreased to 68 g on August 23. Bacteria applications slowed the rate of decrease in fresh weight. Bacillus cereus found to be more effective than other bacterial isolates in slowing fresh weight decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]