Postharvest life of gladiolus cv. Jester Gold as influenced by different doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

The influence of different doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on gladiolus cv. Jester Gold was studied in a field trail experiment conducted by factorial randomized block design. The effect of nitrogen (20, 40, 60, 80 g/m²) with phosphorus (5, 10, 20 g/m²) and potassium (15, 20, 25 g/m²) and control applied to the plants on post-harvest life of cut gladiolus spikes were studied under laboratory conditions. Longevity of first floret (4.36 days) was increased by application of N₈₀P₅ g/m². A dose N₆₀K₂₀ g/m² and N₈₀P₁₀ g/m² was producing bigger first (10.57cm) and third (8.86cm) fully opened floret, respectively. Application of N₈₀ K₂₀ g/m² resulted into maximum fully opened florets (12.18) and total florets/spike (13.18) in the vase. Effective useful life (7.81 days), vase life (12.64days), water uptake on 3^rd day (35.75 ml) and at senescence (63.24 ml) in the vase was increased by the use of N₆₀P₂₀g/m². A fertilizer dose of N₈₀P₂₀ g/m² resulted into maximum increment of in spike length at senescence (2.73 cm), fresh weight of spike at harvest (35.89 g), at 3^rd (46.23 g/m²) and at 5^th day (48.50 g) in the vase.