Effect of pulsing and holding solutions on postharvest life of cut flowers in Anthurium andraeanum Lind. cv. Nitta

Studies were conducted to compare nine different pulsing treatments with the control (distilled water) in cut flowers of anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum Lind.) cv. Nitta. Results revealed that pulsing with bavistin (0.2%) increased the water uptake (25.72 ml) of the cut flower considerably. Water loss was also found highest with bavistin (29.07 ml.) pulsed flowers. The water loss: water uptake ratio (means the water balance within the cut flower) was found highest (0.97) with sucrose 5% solution. Pulsing solutions increased the postharvest life of cut anthurium flowers among which the maximum postharvest life (20.17 day) was recorded with the pulsing solution containing 8-Hydroxyquinoline 500 ppm + sucrose 5% and the minimum period of postharvest life was recorded with control (9.67 day). Among the 15 different holding solutions tried, cut flowers treated with 8-Hydroxyquinoline Sulphate (8-HQS) 400 ppm + sucrose 5% showed the highest water uptake (38.02 ml) and water loss (40.17 ml). Best water balance was observed with the flowers treated with silver nitrate 50 ppm + 8-HQ 400 ppm + sucrose 5% (0.97). Holding solutions did well in this respect and the least water balance was recorded with control (0.72). Maximum postharvest longevity was found in the flowers treated with 8-Hydroxyquinoline Sulphate 400 ppm + sucrose 5% (28.17 day) and holding solutions proved their efficiency. Flowers treated with distilled water showed the lowest postharvest life (13.33 dav).