EFFECT OF AgNO3 AND 8-HQC ON VASE LIFE OF CUT ROSES

A laboratory experiment was conducted in July 2010 to determine the effect of AgNO3 and 8-HQC on vase life of cut roses. The cut flowers having 42-44 cm stem length were harvested and then brought to the laboratory in a bucket containing fresh tap water. The stem ends were then re-cut to uniform length of 40 cm each and retained only 4 uppermost leaves. After recording the fresh weight of each cut stem in the laboratory the cut flowers were kept in 50 ppm and 100 ppm solution of AgNO3 and 100 ppm and 200 ppm 8-HQC under ambient condition of 32 ± 2°C temperature and 50-75% relative humidity. There were 10 treatments in all, each cultivar having 4 and 2 was of control, replicated thrice in completely randomized design (CRD) and the flowers taken per replication were 4 and finally the vase life and quality of cut roses were evaluated in the test tubes containing of 150 ml holding solution. The use of 8-HQC is well known in cut flowers as it acts as an bactericides for improving the vase life of cut rose, while AgNO3 which acts as an anti-ethylene also helps in enhancing the flower diameter and vase life of cut roses. Treatment with AgNO3 (50ppm) and 8-HQC (200 ppm) significantly increased the fresh weight of flowers over the control (distilled water). Higher gain in fresh weight was associated with longer vase life. Further experiment conducted on rose cv. 'First Red' and 'Grand Gala' presents enhanced water uptake and flower diameter over control. In the experiment, vase life of cut flower under different treatments was determined in vase holding solution i.e., 50 ppm, 100 ppm, AgNO3 and 100 ppm, 200 ppm 8-HQC. The cut rose cv. 'First Red' showed the maximum diameter at 100 ppm 8-HQC, while as in cv. 'Grand Gala' 100 ppm AgNO3 showed maximum flower diameter on 3rd day in vase. The maximum vase life of cut roses cv. 'First Red' and 'Grand Gala' was recorded in 8-HQC at 200 ppm and 100ppm. Form the experimental findings, it was observed that cv. 'First Red' has more vase life compared to cv. 'Grand Gala'. It is concluded from investigation that 8-HQC enhances the fresh weight, flower diameter, water uptake and vase life of roses at 100 ppm and 200 ppm.