This study was conducted to investigate the anti-bacterial effect of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) on extending thevase life of Gerbera jamesonii ‘Jenny’ which was first bredin Korea in 2012. Compared to commercialized biocides,ClO2 had been proved significantly effective for extendingthe vase life of cut gerbera flowers, equally with sodiumhypochlorite, silver nitrate, and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate.No bacteria were detected in the vase solutions treated withClO2 and these commercialized biocides on day 6 aftertreatment. But there were no significant differences on thevase life among the three ClO2 concentrations: 2, 5, and10μL•L−1. The ClO2 concentrations were rapidly decreasedon day 2 after treatment regardless of peduncle existence.Nevertheless, the antibacterial effect of ClO2 was main-tained up to day 6, indicating that the initial antibacterialeffect of ClO2 was a key factor for extending the vase life inthe gerbera flowers. The study results verified the antibacte-rial effect of ClO2 on prolonging the vase life of Gerberajamesonii ‘Jenny’ and demonstrated that appropriate ClO2application can prolong the postharvest life of cut gerberasvia its antimicrobial effect.

Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
  Plant materials
  Experimental design
  Vase life and bacteria detection
  Statistical analysis
 Results and Discussion
  Applicability of ClO2 as floral preservatives
  Applicable concentration of ClO2
 Acknowledgments
 References

• Yun Mi Lee(Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Seoul, Natural Science Research Institute, University of Seoul)
• Sang Kun Park(Floriculture Division, Natural Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, RDA)
• Wan Soon Kim(Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Seoul, Natural Science Research Institute, University of Seoul) Corresponding author