Studies on foliar nutrient sprays and vase chemicals on keeping quality of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus) cv. trader horn

A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to study the influence of pre-harvest micro-nutrient foliar sprays on post-harvest keeping quality of gladiolus using the post-harvest vase chemicals. The experiment comprised pre-harvest micronutrient foliar sprays of FeSO₄ (0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%) and ZnSO₄ (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%) with 16 treatment combinations sprayed at 3^rd and 6^th leaf stage of the crop. Various post-harvest vase chemicals used were NaOCl 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 100 ppm, STS 100 ppm, Al₂(SO₄)-₃ 400 ppm and a combination of these vase chemicals. Sucrose was added as a source of base material in all the vase chemical treatments. Pre-harvest spraying of FeSO₄ 0.75% or 1% along with ZnSO₄ 0.5% was found promising in delaying the days taken for basal floret opening and number of floret opening at a time. Pre-harvest spraying of these micro-nutrients and dipping the cut ends of gladiolus spikes in vase solution of sucrose 2% + NaOCl 50 or 100 ppm, sucrose 2% + STS 50 or 100 ppm or Al₂(SO₄)-₃ 400 ppm significantly influenced in extending the days taken for basal flower opening and number of flowers opening at a time.