Effects of calcium oxide nanoparticles on vase life of gerbera cut flowers

• The use of calcium oxide nanoparticles in vase solutions has no precedent. • CaO-NP reduces stem bending of gerbera cut flower. • CaO-NP decreases weight loss, 6% up to 15 days. • CaO-NP applied in vase solutions maintains the postharvest quality of gerberas. • CaO-NP in vase solutions can be an alternative for conserving cut flowers. Gerbera flowers are positioned amongst the most marketed cut flowers worldwide due to their attractive appearance. Their shelf-life is typically short (7-12 days) owing to stem bending that determines its commercial value. Postharvest treatments based on vase solutions with calcium compounds (e. g., CaO, Ca (OH) 2 , CaCO 3 , CaCl 2 ) are applied to avoid stem bending. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of vase solutions based on calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO-NP) on the postharvest quality of gerbera ( Gerbera jamesonii L. cv. 'Forza'). The treatments consisted in distilled water (negative control), 2000 mg·L −1 calcium chloride (positive control, CaCl 2 , 0.2 %), 0.1 % glycerol, and 50, 100 and 150 mg·L −1 of CaO-NP; glycerol (0.1 %) was applied to maintain the CaO-NP dispersed. Results indicated positive effects of CaO-NP on stem firmness, decreasing stem bending, as well as reducing the weight loss and preserving the diameter of the gerbera flowers. Moreover, gerberas treated with CaO-NP preserved their visual quality, and chlorophylls content. The action of CaO-NP did not modify phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Thus, the application of CaO-NP can be considered as an efficient alternative vase solution to preserve gerbera flowers during postharvest.