Abstract:In this paper, the characteristics of ethylene metabolism and regulatory effect of Alstroemeria hybrida cut flowers during vasing life was studied to provide a theoretical basis for the research and development of A. hybrida cut flowers preservative. Cut flowers of A. hybrida in bud period were treated by adding 20 mg·L-1 ethephon (ETH), 4 mg·L-1 nano-silver (NS), 75 mg·L-1 salicylic acid (SA) and 10 mg·L-1 spermine (SP), respectively into basic vase solution (1% sucrose + 200 mg·L-1 8-hydroxyquinoline), and the morphological, physiological and gene expression changes of cut flowers during vase period were analyzed. The results were as follows: (1) Ethephon vase treatment significantly shortened the vase life of A. hybrida flowers. Treatments with nano-silver, salicylic acid and spermidine could extend the vase life of A. hybrida cut flowers. The treatment with 4 mg·L-1 nano-silver had the best effect, and the vase life extended for two days. (2) The treatment with ethephon significantly accelerated the decrease of fresh quality of flower branches, soluble sugar and soluble protein contents of petals, increased MDA content and relative electrical conductivity of petals, and significantly improved ethylene metabolism of petals. The vase treatment containing silver, salicylic acid and spermine delayed the decrease of fresh quality of flower branches, soluble sugar and soluble protein contents of flower petals, inhibited the increase of MDA content and relative conductivity, and significantly reduced ethylene metabolism. (3) Vase treatment with ethephon increased the expression levels of keygenes for ethylene synthesis and signal transduction (AlACO, AlACS, AlCTR1, AlERS1 and AlEIN3) in each