Studies on the effect of acidifiers, biocides and food sources in combination on extension of vase life of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) Cv. Swarnima

Different combination treatments were studied to enhance the vase life of cut gladiolus spikes. T1: (Citric acid-200 ppm) + (Commercial bleach-50 ppm), T2: (Citric acid-200 ppm) + (Sprite-100 ml), T3: (Commercial bleach-50 ppm) + (Sprite-100 ml), T4: (Citric acid-200 ppm) + (Commercial bleach-50 ppm) + (Sprite-100 ml), T5: Control (Distilled Water). Among all the treatments .T4-Citric acid 200 ppm＋ Commercial bleach 50 ppm ＋ Sprite 100 ml recorded highest water uptake (27.50, 18.29, 10.53 g), transpirational loss of water (25.40, 16.93, 9.20 g), water balance (7.10, 6.36, 5.59 g), fresh weight change percentage (106.12, 99.93, 89.16 %), low optical density of vase solution (0.019, 0.023, 0.030 nm) on 2nd, 4th, and 6th day of vase life respectively, minimum days for opening of first floret (1.73 days), maximum diameter of basal floret (10.48 cm), highest longevity of basal floret (2.94 days), maximum number of florets opened on spike when basal floret is fresh (2.65) and maximum number of florets opened per spike at the end of the vase life (11.18), highest vase life (9.97 days) and floret opening percentage (97.21 %) with a B: C ratio of 3.42.