Effect of Harvesting Stages and Chemical Preservatives on Postharvest Life of Golden rod (Solidago Canadensis Linn.) Panicles

The effect of different harvesting stages viz, unopened stage (H₁) with fully mature buds, 25% opened stage (H₂) and 50% opened stage (H₃) and chemical preservatives with three levels of concentrations viz; sucrose (1%, 2% and 3%), sucrose 2% + A1₂(SO₄)₃ (0.03%, 0.06% and 0.09%), sucrose 2% + AgNO₃ (0.015%, 0.03% and 0.045%) and sucrose 2% + 8- Hydroxy quinoline (0.01%, 0.02% and 0.03%) was studied to enhance the postharvest life and quality of golden rod panicles. It was observed that less advanced stages, both unopened stage and 25% opened stage recorded higher panicle weight, delayed senescence and enhanced vase life alongwith good quality maintenance. Among chemical preservatives, sucrose 2% + 8-HQ 0.03% showed significantly enhanced floret opening as well as vase life. The treatment combination of unopened stage and 25% opened stage with sucrose 2% + 8-HQ 0.03% exhibited excellent flower quality with excellent flower colour maintenance, turgidity and freshness. Both the treatments showed cent per cent flower opening in panicle, recorded highest useful vase life (10.66 and 8.77 day, respectively) and total vase life (13.33 day in both).