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Influence of pre-harvest sprays on flower quality and vase life of Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria, commonly known as Peruvian Lily, has high demand in the global market. The flowers are popularly known for their wide range of colours. Short postharvest life is a significant problem in Alstroemeria flowers. The objective of the study is to extend the vase life of flowers by application of pre-harvest foliar sprays. Foliar spray of Salicylic acid (50, 100 & 150 µM), Benzyl Adenine (50, 100 & 150 µM) and Gibberellic acid (200, 250 & 300 ppm) were applied twice during 2 weeks and 1 week before flower harvest with distilled water as control. The harvested flowers were placed in conical flasks containing distilled water as vase solution, and parameters like relative fresh weight, vase solution uptake, floret diameter, total chlorophyll content, ethylene evolution and vase life were recorded. The results showed that pre-harvest treatment of flowers with Gibberellic acid @ 300 ppm showed a significant increase in floret diameter (7.6 cm), total chlorophyll content (0.72 mg g-1 of fresh leaf), high relative fresh weight (88.50%) and high uptake of vase solution (2 g stem-1 day-1). Treatment with Benzyl adenine @ 150 µM has given favourable result by increasing the vase life of the flower up to 8 days followed by Gibberellic acid @ 300 ppm (7 days). Treatment with Salicylic acid did not show any favourable result. There was no significant difference in ethylene evolution pattern among treatments. From this experiment, it is concluded that pre-harvest treatment of flowers with Gibberellic acid @ 300 ppm and treatment of flowers with Benzyl adenine @ 150 µM showed positive results with treatment using Gibberellic acid @ 300 ppm as the best treatment.