Image rejected for quality issues, why?

On the one hand, I think the image could be saved with some editing. On the other, images of flowers do risk receiving similar content rejections.

It appears to be somewhat underexposed.

sRGB is the universal standard for the internet, web browsers, and normal monitors. The gamut is slightly smaller than Adobe RGB, with fewer intense greens & cyans. When no color space is defined, wild color shifts are noticeable in browsers. That’s why sRGB is recommended.

Great feedback. Thanks

It’s a tad too dark. And Stock usually prefers wider depth of field. 

Compare your sunflower with other Stock inventory to see what you’re competing with.

https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=sunflowers

To clarify, are you saying you shot at f16, then blurred the background in post? If that’s the case it’s possible Adobe pre screen or moderator saw it as too much alteration, passing the 15% of the image area we should not change. If that’s normal for your lens at 1.4 I find it interesting. 
I’m huge on using a tripod, this is a good example for using one, not only you can control your composition with slight changes, but you can also play with your

f stops and later choose what you like best.

Nice job though!

🌞📸💛

I remember ages ago, or misremember, color space/icc being in a drop down menu but this is harkening back to 2002-2005 era. Now it's an export option I'm choosing. It seems a deeper dive than what I am used to and UI has changed drastically. Also lack of expertise 

Thanks. I appreciate the input and expertise. Getting used to submitting work, of course I(we?) all love our own images a bit to much. On oher comments I've read peripherally; the subject sRGB kept coming up, so I thought that might be a thing.

Hi ​@JohnEfavorite 

Poor composition. There is too much blurred negative space. You should either zoom in more on the flower or include the stem in focus. As it is, you should have utilized the rule of third and give it more depth of field. There is also a small amount of grain noise. Except there is something different about your flower, it is difficult to get many sales, because of the volume.

Best wishes
Jacquelin

It's also possible it was submitted as adobe rgb, not srgb. I may consider resubmitting along with further feedback. Shot with Leica mll and Typoch 50mm 1.4, but again stepped down. Thanks again for any and all feedback.