Effect of Pre-Storage GA3 Pulsing on Keeping Quality of Gladiolus Spikes

Pre-storage pulsing of gladiolus spikes with a solution containing 20% sucrose and 400 mg/l aluminium sulphate [Al₂(SO₄)₃.16H₂O] significantly improved vase life, floret size and per cent opening of florets. The effect was significantly enhanced with addition of GA₃ @ 100 mg/l. Spikes pulse-treated with GA₃ could be stored for 14 days with an acceptable vase life of 5.44 days. These spikes also exhibited 49.65 per cent opening of florets even at 21 days from onset of storage. On the other hand, spikes pulse-treated with a solution containing 20% sucrose and aluminium sulphate [Al₂(SO₄)₃.16H₂O] @ 400 mg/l or water (Control) showed no opening of florets after 21 days of storage.