Department of Horticulture, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad 500 030
The influence of four minerals with two different concentrations was assessed to determine the water uptake, transpirational loss, water balance and vase-life in cut tuberose spikes. Among the four minerals, aluminium sulphate and calcium nitrate 0.05% increased the vase-life as well as floret opening. These mineral salts exerted a dual effect in delaying the senescence of cut tuberoses by increasing the water uptake and reducing the water loss thereby maintaining better water balance, leading to increased fresh weight and vase-life. The delay in senescence was mainly due to the ions of aluminium and calcium, which showed qualitative effect on the vase-life.
