The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of silver nanoparticles (SNP) and essential oils as novel
antimicrobial agents in extending the vase-life of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cv. ‘Dune’) flowers. The vase life
of flowers held in a solution containing 5mg L−1 SNP plus 6% sucrose was found to be significantly
higher than with 8-HQC (8-hydroxyquinoline citrate) or control treatments. However, the vase-life was
not different to that of flowers held in similar concentrations of silver nitrate. All gerbera flowers held
in SNP solutions showed significantly higher relative fresh weight than the control. Vase-life of gerbera
flowers was extended by addition of either 50 or 100mg L−1 carvacrol and either 1 or 2mgL−1 SNP from
8.3 to 16 d. In addition, the relative fresh weight and solution uptake of gerbera flowers were increased
by addition of 100mg L−1 essential oils and 1 or 2mgL−1 SNP as compared to that of control flowers.
Our results suggest the potential application of essential oils or SNP as novel alternatives to common
chemicals used in preservative solutions for gerbera flowers.