Effect of holding solutions and gamma radiation on vase life of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium r.) cv. Maghi

Chrysanthemum cut flowers of cv. Maghi obtained from plants treated with varying doses of gamma radiation (0Kr, 1Kr, 1.5Kr) have the capacity to regulate vase life when placed in seven different holding solutions, viz., distilled water, two levels of citric acid (200 ppm and 300 ppm), hydroxyquinoline sulphate (200 ppm), silver nitrate (200 ppm) and two concentrations of tea extract (10% and 20%). The findings have revealed that the doses of irradiation as well as holding solutions have a highly significant independent, as well as an interactive effect, on enhancing the vase life of chrysanthemum cut flower. The maximum vase life of flowers (24 days), maximum vase life of foliage (16.66 days), maximum diameter of flower (4.63 cm), total solution uptake (34.33 ml) and fresh weight (8.77g) was recorded for cut flowers obtained from plants treated with 1Kr gamma radiation and placed in HQS 200 ppm holding solution. the lowest number of bacterial colony in holding solutions (143.33x10⁴cfu ml⁻¹) was measured in t₃ (HQS 200 ppm) for flowers obtained from plants treated with 1Kr gamma radiation.