Reduction of foliage discoloration and extending vase life of chrysanthemum (Dandranthema × Grandiflora) with different floral preservatives

Abstract

Different floral preservative treatments consisting of citric acid, aluminium sulphate, sucrose and their combination were used to reduce the foliage discoloration and enhance the vase life of chrysanthemum (Dandranthema × grandiflora Ramat.) cv Thai Chen Queen. The experiment was conducted at the Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2012-13. Experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design with five treatment combinations and each treatment was replicated thrice. It was observed that all the preservative treatments significantly reduced foliage discoloration and increased the vase life over control (distilled water). The preservative solution containing 150ppm citric acid+500ppm aluminium sulphate+2% sucrose resulted in maximum vase life (25.41 days), maximum carotenoid content with zero wilting and leaf yellowing and reduced leaf browning.

Keywords

• Chrysanthemum
• Cut flowers
• Floral preservatives
• Foliage discoloration
• Thai Chen Queen
• Vase life