Effect of pulsing solutions and durations on post-harvest life of cut chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev.)

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of pulsing solutions and durations on the post-harvest life of cut chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev.). The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (factorial) with two cultivars viz. ‘Solan Shringar’ and ‘Yellow Star’, three pulsing durations i.e. 10 hrs, 15 hrs and 20 hrs and three different pulsing solutions i.e. T_1- Control (distilled water), T_2- 8-HQC (250 ppm) + Sucrose (5%) and T_3-8-HQC (250 ppm) + BA (50 ppm) + Sucrose (5%). Studies revealed that pulsing of cut stems in 8-HQC (250 ppm) + BA (50 ppm) + Sucrose (5%) for 20 hours was found best for increasing vase life, flower diameter, amount of pulsing solution consumed, lowest fresh weight loss and best appearance in both the cultivars.