This study aimed to investigate the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the vase life and ACC synthase enzyme activity of cut rose cultivar Jumilia. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 12 treatments and 3 replications in a soilless greenhouse. The treatments included GABA at four concentrations (0, 20, 40, and 60 mM) and calcium chloride at three concentrations (0, 0.75, and 1.5% as foliar spray). The combined application of GABA and calcium chloride significantly increased the vase life of cut rose compared to the control. The results showed that the highest and lowest vase life in plants treated with 20, 40 or 60 mM GABA and 0.75% calcium chloride and untreated flowers were 1.19, 86.18, 74.18 and 85.13 days, respectively. Pre-harvest application of GABA and calcium chloride inhibited the activity of ACC synthase enzyme. The highest and lowest ACC synthase activity was observed in plants treated with 40 mM GABA and 1.5 and 0.75% calcium chloride and untreated flowers, respectively, with 57.3, 96.3 and 18.8 nmol/g fresh weight. Combined application of GABA and calcium chloride increased the calcium content by 95.100% compared to control plants. The highest and lowest total chlorophyll content in leaves was found in plants treated with 60 mM GABA and 0.75 and 1.5% calcium chloride and untreated flowers were 4.8, 24.8 and 22.6 mg/g fresh weight, respectively. Foliar application of GABA and calcium chloride significantly (P < 0.01) increased the contents of polyamines such as putrescine (put), spermidine (spd) and spermine (spm) in treated rose petals. Therefore, foliar application of 60 mM GABA and 1.5% calcium chloride is recommended due to its 38% increase in cut rose life.
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