Vol. 10, Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
A Sowjanya, K Kaladhar Babu, P Prasanth and S Praneeth Kumar

Abstract:
The experiment entitled Studies on the effect of commonly available acidifiers on extension of vase life of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. Swarnima was conducted at Floricultural Research station, Rajendranagar during 2020-2021. The treatments comprised of Citric acid (200, 300 ppm), Ascorbic acid (200, 300 ppm), Soda (300, 500 ml) and Control (Distilled water). Citric acid 200 ppm recorded maximum water uptake (25.34, 16.97, 11.52 g), transpirational loss of water (23.24, 15.56, 11.22 g), water balance (7.10, 6.41, 5.23 g), fresh weight change (104.09, 99.13, 88.17%), minimum optical density of vase solution (0.044, 0.049, 0.052 nm) during 2nd, 4th and 6th days of vase life and least days to first floret opening (1.78 day), maximum diameter of basal floret (10.16 cm), maximum longevity of basal floret (2.46 days), highest number of florets opened on spike when basal floret is fresh (2.50) and highest number of florets opened per spike at the end of the vase life (10.66) and recorded highest vase life (9.62 days) and floret opening percentage (92.69%) when compared to other treatments. The results suggest that citric acid 200 ppm can be used to enhance the vase life of cut gladiolus cv. Swarnima.