Effect of Pre-storage Pulsing on Storage Life of Gladiolus Cut Spikes

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of pulsing treatments consisting of sucrose (20%), (Al2 (SO4).16H20 (400ppm) and GA3 (100 and 200 ppm) on the storage life and quality of gladiolus cv. Jacksonville Gold cut spikes. It was revealed that pulsing of gladiolus spikes with 20% sucrose in combination with Al2 (SO4).16H20 (400ppm) and GA3 (200ppm) resulted in greater vase life (7.88 day), floret diameter (10.18cm), floret longevity (4.28 day) and per cent opening of florets (86.91) over other treatments. The pulsed gladiolus spikes, wet stored under refrigerated conditions, showed decline in vase life, floret longevity, floret diameter, per cent floret opening and per cent increase in fresh weight. Fresh spikes showed maximum vase life and floret diameter than those stored under refrigerated conditions for different durations. In stored spikes, maximum vase life was recorded after three day storage duration while minimum after 21 day storage duration. The pulsed gladiolus spikes could be wet stored at 4 ±0.5°C temperature for 12 day without much reduction in vase life.