The control flowers and the flowers treated with sucrose showed in-rolling and wilting of petals, which are typical symptoms of senescence induced by ethylene. On the other hand, the first symptom of petal senescence in the DPSS-treated flowers were desiccation, discolouration and necrosis of the petal margins, which gradually spread to the remaining petal portions. These senescence symptoms were typical for senescence in carnation flowers occurred independent of ethylene action