Petal senescence and flower quality of gladiolus cut spikes as influenced by plant growth regulators and sucrose

The effect of postharvest application of PGRs viz., Gibberellic acid (25,50 and 100 ppm), Benzyl adenine (25,50 and 100 ppm) with sucrose (2,5 and 8 %) as vase solution on petal senescence and flower quality was investigated. The cut spikes placed in solution enriched with 50 ppm GA3 + 5% sucrose recorded significantly maximum water uptake as compared to all other treatments. Significant gain in fresh weight and dry weight of the cut spikes was recorded in treatment of GA3 (50 ppm), followed by BA (50 ppm) with sucrose (5%). The treatments further recorded higher total soluble sugars content in the petals of cut spikes on 4th day after tretment (DAT) as compared to control. The cut spikes placed in solution enriched with 50 ppm GA3 + 5% sucrose exhibited improved flower quality with good retention of the anthocyanins in the petals on 4th DAT. The treatment reduced the lipid peroxidation estimated as TBARS in the petals of cut spikes on 5th DAT. The vase solution treatment of GA3 (50ppm) with sucrose (5%) delayed the petal senescence and increased the longevity of the cut spikes upto two fold as compared to control and exhibited improved flower quality with bright petal colour.