Influence of pulsing biocides on vase life of cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.)

Abstract

The effects of pulsing solutions comprising biocides (1g Al2 (SO₄)₃ l-1, 0.4 ml HQS l-1, 0.6 ml NaOCl l-1, 0.6g Ca(ClO)₂ l-1), and tap water as control) on the vase life of rose (Rosa hybrida L.) cut flower variety Upper Class which is Red colored intermediate flower was evaluated in laboratory experiment. The pulsing treatments were arranged in a CRD with four replications. The results depicted that treatments comprised NaOCl and HQS were able to prolong the vase life of the cut flower stalks up to 15.80 and 15.40 days respectively while Al₂(SO₄)₃ did not offer statistically significant advantage over the use of ordinary tap water. Spectrometric analysis on solution turbidity of the vase solutions depicted the smallest value in cut flower stalks pulsed with NaOCl while the highest values were recorded in water, which is an indication of more bacterial proliferation or accumulation of plant exudates in the later cases. The amount of water passed through 5 cm long excised stem sections was the highest in stalks pulsed with Ca(ClO)₂ and NaOCl while the lowest was in those pulsed with Al|₂(SO₄)₃ and water. Pulsing of the cut flower stalks with biocides also significantly increased vase solution uptake, and total soluble solid during vase life. The results of the present study clearly indicated significant improvement of the vase life of cut flower stalks by biocide pulsing treatment especially NaOCl and HQS.

Keywords: Cut Flowers, Intermediate Rose, Hydraulic Conductance, Solution Uptake, Physiological Characteristics