Abstract: Analyze changes of sugar metabolism and its related enzymes activities during vase-holding days of cut roses named “cv. Black Magic flower” and “cv. Movie Star flower” were studied. The results showed that glucose and fructose contents increased rapidly with the cell enlargement in the petals and during flower growth, but the content of sucrose dropped gradually. The cut rose named “cv. Movie Star flower” had a larger hexoses (glucose+fructose) content , fresh weight and a bigger flower diameter fresh weight than “cv. Black Magic flower” . The activity of acid invertase (AI) was always at a higher level than those of the neutral invertase (NI), sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS). The activity of acid invertase (AI) was positively correlated with sucrose degradation index (SDI). In conclusion, the acid invertase (AI) was a key enzyme in the sucrose degradation and hexoses accumulation, while hexose accumulation in the petal might be important for flower growth and development in cut rose.

Key words: cut roses petals, sugar metabolism, enzymes activities