Effect of preharvest sprays of certain chemicals on physiological and postharvest life of cut tuberose (Agave amica) cv. Arka Prajwal

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on tuberose cv. Arka Prajwal with pre harvest sprays of ten treatments, Oxalic acid at 2%, 3%, 4%, Sodium nitroprusside at 100, 150, 200 ppm, Boric acid at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and Control (distilled water) in Complete Randomized Design with three replications. After two days of pre harvest spray, to study postharvest vase life, all the spikes were placed in standard vase solution containing sucrose 4% + citric acid 100 ppm. The findings of this experiment were focused on physiological, vase solution parameters, and vase life. Boric acid positively influenced the physiological parameters, the highest water uptake, transpirational loss of water, water balance and change in fresh weight of spikes were recorded in boric acid at 0.6% (T9). This treatment also increased the pH, EC of vase solution, whereas decreased the OD (Optical Density) of vase solution. Boric acid extended the vase life of spikes (10.00 days) by 37% more than control preserving post-harvest flower quality.