Effect of Postharvest Chemical Treatments on Quality and Longevity of Cut Chrysanthemum
F. U. Khan *
Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar 190001, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Nisar Ahmad Shah
Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar 190001, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Neelofar .
Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar 190001, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Muneeb Ahmad Wani
Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar 190001, Jammu and Kashmir, India
F. A. Khan
Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar 190001, Jammu and Kashmir, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The investigation was carried out to study the response of cut stem to sucrose and chemicals in terms of quality and vase life. The Experiment was comprised of 14 holding solutions containing sucrose 3 percent, biocide citric acid (200 and 400 ppm), aluminium sulphate (50 and 100 ppm) and growth regulator benzyl adenine (10 and 200 ppm). Sucrose and chemicals were used in isolation or in combination, and distilled water was used as a control. Results revealed that sucrose 3% + Al2(SO4)3 50 ppm helped stem to maintain favourable water relation, evaluated in terms of water uptake, water loss, water uptake/water loss ratio and water balance followed by sucrose 3 5% + Al2(SO4)3 50 ppm and citric acid 200 and 400 ppm exhibited less decline in fresh weight as compared to those in sucrose alone or control. Longest vase life of 14.64 days was recorded with sucrose 3% + Al2(SO4)3 50 ppm whereas, vase life in sucrose alone was 9.90 day only.
Keywords: Aluminium sulphate, benzyl adenine, Chrysanthemum, citric acid, sucrose, vase life