This study was conducted to investigate the effects of gibberellic acid spraying on anthocyanin synthesis in florets of oriental hybrid lily var. ‘Sorbbone’ and its relationship with other qualified traits of lily cut flowers. Two concentration of gibberellic acid (GA3)(100 and 200 mgl-1) were separately sprayed on plants at three different stages of inflorescence development (flower bud initiation, 5 cm long florets, and 3 days before harvest). All treatments were arranged in a factorial complete randomized design with two factor (GA3 concentration and inflorescence development stage) in three replications. Evaluated traits were anthocyanin content of petals, antioxidant activity in petals, vase life, fresh weight, total soluble solids (TSS) and leaf chlorophyll content. Although GA3 application improved postharvest performance, but there was not a significant difference between applied concentrations considering most postharvest characteristics. There was also a significant difference between spraying at three different stages of inflorescence development. Spraying with 200 mgl-1 GA3, at the third stage, retained lily cut flower’s fresh weight, leaf chlorophyll content and greenness during long storage periods. Other traits such as vase life, petal anthocyanin content, TSS, and antioxidant activity also recorded the highest amount in this treatment. Results indicate that GA3 spraying 3 days before harvest may enhance flowers vase life by increasing antioxidant activity and anthocyanin content of petals.
