Effect of pulsing, interval of stalk-end cutting and vase water renewal on the vase life of Heliconia

Abstract

The present investigation, entitled “Effect of Pulsing, Interval of Stalk-End Cutting and Vase Water Renewal on the Vase Life of Heliconia,” was conducted at the Floricultural Research Station, SKLTGHU, Rajendranagar from June to September 2024 using a factorial completely randomized design with three replications per treatment. The parameters evaluated included Change in fresh weight after pulsing (g), water uptake (g/f), optical density (OD), Bract colour fading and vase life (days). Factor I comprised of five pulsing treatments including combinations of 3% or 6% sucrose with 150 or 300 ppm salicylic acid applied for either 6 or 12 hours. Among them, P1 (Pulsing for 6 hours in 3% Sucrose + 150 ppm of Salicylic Acid) significantly recorded the lowest fresh weight change (g), OD values, while P2 (Pulsing for 12 hours in 3% Sucrose + 150 ppm of Salicylic Acid) recorded the maximum water uptake (g/f). The second factor involves stalk end cutting and renewal of vase water at intervals of 0 (no cutting/renewal), 2 and 4 days. Among them, I1 (Stalk end cutting and renewal of water at every 2 days) significantly recorded the maximum water uptake (g/f). The interaction effect of factors significantly enhanced overall post-harvest performance with maximum water uptake (g/f), vase life (days), whereas the minimum OD value, change in bract colour fading was recorded in P1I1 (Pulsing for 6 hours in 3% Sucrose + 150 ppm of Salicylic Acid with Stalk end cutting and renewal of water at every 2 days).