Roses belong to family Rosaceae with wide variation in growth types in around the world, has several different uses but the cut flower industry is the most important aspect of rose culture industry.
Salicylic acid (SA) is a phenolic compound that key role in regulator of photosynthesis because it affects leaf and chloroplast structure, chlorophyll contents. Anthocyanins are pigmented flavonoids that are responsible for red color in plants. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of SA treatment on chlorophyll and anthocyanin content in rose flowers.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was conducted at the greenhouse of Islamic Azad University Isfahan( Khorasgan ) Branch.This experiment was carried out on factorial randomized completed design in three replicates. SA was applied in 3 levels (0,100,150 PPM).Cutting of rose cultivar Angelina were taken from biennial mother plants of rose.Plants were grown during 3-4 months in pots. SA spraying were done on plants by using hand sprayer on 3 times with an interval of 15 days. To measure amount of chlorophyll a,b and total the standard method and formulas proposed by Arnon (1967) was used ,and anthocyanin content in leaves and petals were also measured by method of Wagner (1979).RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: According to the results shown that the effect of SA spraying was significant on all traits,except anthocyanin content in leaves. Results showed that The SA(150 ppm ) significantly increased the anthocyanin content of petals. Also the highest total chlorophyll content (1.253 mg/gFw) in SA (100 ppm )treatment and the lowest total chlorophyll content in the control plants (1.146 mg/gFw) was observed. SA(100 ppm) treatment significantly increased in content of chlorophyll a and b. Thus, high concentrations of salicylic acid could not be a significant effect on chlorophyll content and lower concentrations are more effective. Recent evidence has shown that SA with increases the enzym antioxidant activity,delay the onset of hydrolysis of structural cell components,decrease ethylene production could reduced chlorophyll total degradation and preserved chlorophyll total contetnt.