Influence of Pulsing Biocides on Vase Life of Cut Roses

Abstract

The effects of pulsing solutions comprising biocides (1g Al2 (SO 0.6 ml NaOCl l-1, 0.6g Ca(ClO)2 l-1), and tap water as control) on (Rosa hybrida L.) cut flower variety Upper Class flower was evaluated in laboratory experiment. The pulsing treatments were arranged in a CRD with four replications. The results depicted that treatments comprised and HQS were able to prolong the vase life of the cut flower stalks up to 15.80 and 15.40 days respectively while Al2(SO4)3 did not offer statistically significant advantage over the use of ordinary tap water. Spectrometric analysis on solution turbidity of the vase solutions depicted the smallest value in cut flower stalks pulsed with NaOCl while the highest values were recorded in water, which is an indication of more bacterial proliferation or accumulation of plant exudates in the later cases. The amount of water passed through 5 cm long excised stem sections was the highest in stalks pulsed with Ca(ClO)2 and NaOCl while the lowest was in those pulsed with Al Pulsing of the cut flower stalks with biocides also significantly increased vase solution uptake, and total soluble solid during vase life. The results indicated significant improvement of the vase life treatment especially NaOCl and HQS.