Role of Salicylic Acid and Gibberellic Acid in Regulating Floral Characteristics and Post-Harvest Longevity of Rose (cv. Taj Mahal) under Protected Cultivation

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the 2018–19 growing season at the Horticulture Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, to evaluate the influence of salicylic acid (SA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) on floral characteristics and post-harvest longevity of rose (cv. Taj Mahal) under protected cultivation. The study was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications and seven treatments, including three concentrations each of GA₃ (200, 250 and 300 ppm) and SA (100, 150 and 200 ppm) along with a control treatment using distilled water in vase solution. The results revealed that GA₃ at 300 ppm significantly enhanced several floral and post-harvest parameters such as water uptake by flower stalk, fresh weight of flower stalk, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increased anthocyanin content, extended vase life, higher number of flowers per plant, as well as greater flower stalk and flower diameters. While GA₃ at 300 ppm was most effective in terms of physiological and morphological traits, GA₃ at 250 ppm emerged as the most economically viable treatment. These findings highlight the potential of growth regulators, particularly GA₃, in improving the quality and shelf life of rose flowers under protected cultivation.