Differential cultivar response to chemical preservative treatment for better shelf life in Narcissus (daffodil)

Optimum level of chemical preservatives for maintaining better water relations and longevity of three different daffodil cultivars, California, Pheasants eye and Acetea was evaluated. Chemical preservatives citric acid, aluminium sulphate, silver thiosulphate and calcium chloride each at three different levels 0, 100 and 200 ppm along with carbohydrate source sucrose 4% were applied under completely randomized design. It was observed that sucrose 4%+aluminium sulphate 200 ppm helped the scape to maintain favourable water relation evaluated in terms of water uptake, water loss, water balance, fresh weight changes and improved vase life. Data available were also indicative of the fact that California outnumbered the other two cultivars in maintaining favourable water relation and longevity of cut scapes.