Chitosan and copper nanoparticles in vase solutions elevate the quality and longevity of cut tulips, setting a new standard for sustainability in floriculture

BMC Plant Biology El-Sayed et al. BMC Plant Biology (2025) 25:780 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06811-4 Open Access RESEARCH Chitosan and copper nanoparticles in vase solutions elevate the quality and longevity of cut tulips, setting a new standard for sustainability in floriculture Iman Mohamed El-Sayed1 , Rasha Ahmed El-Ziat2 and Eman Zaky Othman2* Abstract Nanoparticles present innovative solutions for postharvest applications, allowing for the development of compounds that effectively extend the vase life of cut flowers by reducing ethylene production and preventing bacterial growth. As a leading choice among cut flowers, Tulips encounter common issues such as neck bending and a limited display life, which can severely impact their marketability. This experiment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nano chitosan (CHS-NPs) at 3.5 and 7.0 mg L− 1, nano copper (Cu-NPs) at 15 and 30 mg L− 1, and Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (LG) at 150 and 300 mg L− 1 as innovative, eco-friendly solutions for improving the quality and extending the vase life of cut tulip flowers. The findings reveal that CHS-NPs and Cu-NPs significantly prolong the vase life of cut tulip flowers, with optimal concentrations determined to be 30 mg L− 1 Cu-NPs (15.56 and 16.33 days) and 7.5 mg L− 1 CHS-NPs (13.01 and 14.00 days), respectively. The greatest RFW% was 110.97 and 112.30% on day 7 in both seasons of cut tulip flowers treated with 30 mg L− 1Cu-NPs. These treatments enhance water uptake and relative fresh weight (RFW%), effectively inhibit microbial growth at the stem base, and prevent bacterial blockages in the xylem for up to seven days. Moreover, they substantially increase chlorophyll levels, total soluble carbohydrates, and proteins while decreasing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, thereby enhancing membrane stability. At the same time, the highest SOD and CAT activity were 1.77 and 1.92 Units mg− 1 protein and 2.82 and 2.98 Units mg− 1 protein with the 30 mg L− 1 Cu-NPs in the first and second seasons, respectively. In conclusion, CHS-NPs at 7.5 mg L− 1 and Cu-NPs at 30 mg L− 1 significantly enhance the vase life of cut tulips by improving water balance and antioxidant activity, with Cu-NPs demonstrating better effectiveness. Adopting Cu-NPs at the recommended concentration should be prioritized in the tulip floral industry. Keywords Tulipa gesneriana, Nanoparticles, Lemongrass, Antioxidant enzyme activity, Microbial growth *Correspondence: Eman Zaky Othman 1 Department of Ornamental Plants and Woody Trees, National Research Centre (NRC), Giza 12622, Egypt 2 Faculty of Agriculture, Ornamental Horticulture Department, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt © The Author(s) 2025. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. El-Sayed et al. BMC Plant Biology (2025) 25:780 Background The floriculture industry is very profitable, especially in developing countries. However, it requires careful management and a more environmentally sustainable business model [24, 80]. Tulips (Tulipa gesneriana L.) are critical floricultural crops that hold a significant position in the global flower market, ranking third in sales value among cut flowers sold in the Netherlands, following roses and chrysanthemums [70]. With their vibrant colors and delightful fragrances, tulips attract consumers, driving demand and creating trade opportunities. This blooming bulbous plant belongs to the Liliaceae family and boasts over 2,500 cultivars, primarily found in temperate zones [64]. The tulip is also one of the national symbols of the Netherlands, frequently used in landscaping, including flower galaxies and floral arrangements as cut flowers [14]. It is also known as the turban flower due to its large and the multiple layers of vividly colored, warm-toned petals [46]. Tulip cut flowers must be monitored after harvest and subjected to effective procedures such as cooling, pulsing, and storage in floral hydrating preservatives, along with various packing strategies [73]. Hence, caring for all the above increases tulips flower comparatively short vase life, lasting about 7–10 days postharvest by delaying flower senescence, which enhances customer satisfaction, as the longevity of cut flowers significantly impacts their perceived value [65]. Tulips are renowned for their beauty; however, their storage and vase life are limited considerably by early senescence and microbial contamination [70, 76]. These challenges manifest visible wilting symptoms, including bent necks, yellowing leaves, and drooping blooms [36], which collectively reduce their commercial value. Such deterioration is closely linked to postharvest handling practices [68]. Applying floral preservative solutions is considered an effective strategy for extending the vase life of cut flowers, making identifying and optimizing influencing factors a critical focus within the floral industry. Floral preservatives in holding solutions contribute to cut tulip flower longevity by preserving freshness, promoting water uptake, mitigating oxidative stress, and preventing carbohydrate depletion through antimicrobial properties and energy-supplying effects [67]. Nanoparticles (NPs) are revolutionizing postharvest technology by extending the vase life of fresh-cut flowers through the synthesizing compounds at the nanoscale; these particles offer exceptional properties that reduce the material needed to achieve remarkable results [26, 45]. NPs are non-toxic, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, making them a sustainable choice for floral preservation. Also, their powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial properties further enhance the freshness and longevity of cut flowers [82]. In this context, copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) have exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant properties Page 2 of 18 comparable to those of sodium hypochlorite and nanosilver, making them a promising subject of study [62]. In addition, Cu is a microelement necessary for growth and development and may also have a nourishing effect on vase water [15, 16]. Cu-NPs facilitate easier cell wall interaction and crossing with the intracellular, and principles to promote the development of ROS (reac (...truncated)