Abstract: Effects of exogenous carbon monoxide ( CO ) donor (Hematin) at 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1μmol·L ^{- 1} on vase life and antioxidative metabolism in cut rose‘Movie Star’flowerwere investigated. Compared with the control flowers kept in distilled water, application of CO donor hematin (0.001 - 0.01μmol·L ^{- 1} ) resulted in the prolonged vase life of cut rose in a dose-dependent manner. Between these treatments,the effect of 0.01μmol·L ^{- 1} hematin (H 0.01) was the most effective in extending the vase life. However, the opposite effect of 0.1μmol·L ^{- 1} hematin (H 0.1) was also found. Furthermore, app lication of H 0.01 apparently and differentially up-regulated the activities of peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase, resulting in the apparent decrease of MDA content during the early holding period.

Key words: Carbon monoxide, Rose, Cut, Hematin, Vase life, Antioxidative metabolism