Impact of Micronutrients on Floral Quality, Plant Physiology and Shelf life of Ixora coccinea

Abstract

The emerging floriculture sector in India is increasingly focusing on loose flowers like Ixora coccinea, where effective micronutrient management plays a crucial role in improving growth, floral quality, and postharvest shelf life. A study on four Ixora varieties (Red, Pink, Orange, and Yellow) treated with foliar sprays of micronutrients like FeSO₄, ZnSO₄, and boric acid showed significant effects on flower characteristics. Among these varieties, the Pink variety had the largest flower bud length, bud width, and corolla tube length, along with the longest shelf life both at room temperature and under refrigeration. The best results came from the combination treatment of NPK + FeSO₄ (0.5%) + ZnSO₄ (0.5%) + boric acid (0.2%) applied as foliar spray, which further enhanced flower dimensions and shelf life. These benefits arise from zinc’s role in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, iron’s contribution to chlorophyll synthesis, and boron’s function in maintaining cell wall integrity, collectively boosting flower quality and marketability, especially for commercial cultivation in regions like Tamil Nadu. This optimized micronutrient management supports higher yield, flower quality and economic returns for small farmers engaged in Ixora cultivation.