Effect of sucrose and aluminium sulphate on postharvest life of lilium cv. Monarch

In this study, effect of sucrose and aluminium sulphate on prolonging vase life and postharvest quality of lilium was investigated. Lilium flowers cv. Monarch after harvest were kept in vase solutions containing sucrose (2%) or aluminium sulphate (100 ppm or 200 ppm) alone or in combination. While, control flowers were kept in distilled water. Results indicated that combination treatment of aluminium sulphate (200 ppm) and sucrose (2%) was highly effective in extending vase life of lilium up to 12.8 days compared to control (9.5 days). Uptake of water by these flowers was also recorded maximum (37.67 ml) than other treatments. Flowers kept in vase solution containing aluminium sulphate (200 ppm) had the maximum fresh weight of 42.65 g while, maximum withering weight (21.81 g) was recorded in flowers treated with sucrose (2%) + aluminium sulphate (100 ppm). The combination treatment of sucrose 2% and aluminium sulphate 200 ppm also delayed the opening of first and second flowers by 2.33 and 3 days, respectively than control. The flower longevity and diameter of opened flowers were also recorded highest by this treatment. Conclusively, combination treatment of sucrose (2%) and aluminium sulphate (200 ppm) was found highly effective in preserving quality and extending vase life of lilium during postharvest storage.