Influence of Citric Acid (C6H8O7) Application on Postharvest Vase Life of Tuberose (Polianthes Tuberosa L.)

Abstract

The rapid respiration and growth of tuberose inflorescence indicate the importance of temperature management and carbohydrate supply to long vase life. Under normal display conditions, many buds aborted, probably because of carbohydrate stress. Citric acid plays an important role in the reducing vascular blockage through anti-embolism traits of cut flowers. A research study was conducted to investigate the effect of citric acid on vase life and flower quality of tuberose. Tuberose cut flowers harvested early in the morning at bud opening stage were shifted to Directorate of Floriculture, National Agricultural Research Center Islamabad. The flowering spikes of tuberose were dipped in different combination of citric acid i.e. T-1-Control (Tape water), T-2 (2% sucrose solution), T-3 (100mg/l citric acid + 2% sucrose), T-4 (150mg/l citric acid + 2% sucrose), T-5 (200mg/l citric acid + 2% sucrose) and T-6 (250 mg/l citric acid + 2%). The analysis of data exhibited a significant difference for most of the studied attributes of tuberose. The highest value of fresh weight (12.5g), number of open florets spike(-1) (6.54), spike diameter (8mm), florets diameter (5.75mm), water solution uptake (73%) and vase life of tuberose cut flower (11.75days) were recorded in treatment T-6 (250 mg/l citric acid + 2%) as compared to other treatments. It was concluded that T-6 (250 mg/l citric acid + 2%) was found an effective preservative solution for extending the vase life of tuberose cut flowers up to 12 days.