Improvement in Vase Life of Gladiolus Cut Flowers Using Different Holding Solutions of Sodium Nitroprusside and of Salicylic Acid

Abstract

Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) is one of the most important commercial ornamentals cut flower used in the floriculture industry. Among cut flowers, gladiolus is popular for its glamour, perfection and attractive colorful spikes. The longevity of cut flowers is one of the main challenges of florists to gain consumers attention towards its marketing. In present investigation, we tried two chemicals viz. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) and Salicylic Acid (SA, a signaling molecule) in different concentration combinations and observed their effect on gladiolus flowers vase life of two varieties viz. Pusa Shanti and Pusa Chandni. Spikes treated with T7 (SA 150 mg/L), in Pusa Shanti and T2 (SNP 100 mg/L), in Pusa Chandni was observed effective treatments than others and showed better performance of vase life, days after basal florets open, maximum size of florets, solution uptake, florets opening and maximum time taken for the vase deterioration and it helped to improve the postharvest quality of gladiolus spikes by influencing various morphological and physiological attributes of gladiolus vase. Through the present study we are able to know the role of Sodium nitroprusside and Salicylic acid to enhance the vase life of cut flower of Gladiolus.