Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2002: 4(1): 52-53

Effects of antimicrobial compounds on the postharvest life of rose

Tiwari, A K; Ranvir Singh

Department of Horticulture, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar - 263 145, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttaranchal, India.

The effects of 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (HQC), 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ), CoSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 at 200 ppm each, incorporated into the vase solution containing 4% sugar and 200 ppm citric acid, on the vase life of rose cv. Superstar were studied. Weight gain was greatest on the 3rd day in HQC (3.75 g) and CoSO4 (3.70 g) solutions, and lowest in distilled water (2.00 g). Weight loss at senescence was greatest in flowers kept in distilled water (1.99 g), HQ (1.85 g) and HQC (1.75 g) solutions, and lowest in flowers maintained in Al2(SO4)3 solution (1.50 g). The antimicrobial agents were equally effective in enhancing flower diameter. The greatest uptake of solution was observed in flowers kept in HQC (24.0 ml) and CoSO4 (23.0 ml) solutions, whereas the lowest was observed in flowers maintained in distilled water (14.00 ml). Flowers in HQC and CoSO4 solutions had the longest vase lives (15.20 and 14.56 days, respectively). Flowers kept in distilled water had the shortest vase life (10.00 days). HQ and Al2(SO4)3 had similar effects on weight gain and solution uptake. Among the antimicrobial compounds, HQC and CoSO4 were the most effective in the enhancement of the vase life of rose cv. Superstar.