Optimization of pulsing solution to enhance the post harvest life of carnation

Pulsing is a short duration treatment for extending the post harvest shelf life of flowers. Carnation, a highly ethylene sensitive flower crop, keeping the harvested flowers in pulsing solution extends the shelf life period. The pulsing solution comprising of nine treatment combinations with sucrose, citric acid and growth regulator with Benzyl Adenine and 8-Hydroxyl Quinoline proved that sucrose 10% + citric acid 100 ppm + 8-HQ 400 ppm for 24 hours is the best treatment for enhancing the vase life of flowers to 13.10 days. The physical parameters viz., water uptake (WU), transpirational loss of water (TLW), water balance (WB), fresh weight change (FWC) and freshness and colour fading, physiological loss in weight (%) (PLW), membrane integrity (%) and biochemical parameters viz., total carbohydrate (mg/g), peroxidase activity (change in OD/g/min) (POD), anthocyanin content and carotenoid content (mg/g) were better in the same treatment.