Vol. 18 No. 1
Effect of different types of 8-HQC-based pulsing solutions on the post-harvest life of Heliconia flowers
Author(s): A. Sarkar, M. Mandal, B. G. Kishore and B. Paramanik
Abstract: Now a days Heliconia is an important cut flower for garden decoration, value added product preparation and organic colour extraction purpose. It is also called lobster-claw, false bird-of-paradise or wild plantain and it belongs to family Heliconiaceae, has 250 to 300 species. Various types of chemical have been applied in four species of Heliconia such as; Heliconia rostrata, Heliconia psittacorum cv. ‘Golden Torch’, Heliconia psittacorum var. ‘Choconiana’, Heliconia humilis. This research was conducted with three replications and ten different treatments. Five most important parameters were studied here such as; total water uptake, change in fresh weight of flowers (4th, 8th, 12th days after application of chemical), flower opening in bracts, catalase activity (7th, 9th, 11th days after application of chemical) and vase-life of flowers. Highest water uptake capacity, Flower bract opening, Vase life of flower was taken from T3, T9, T5 and T6 in H. humilis. Highest water uptake capacity, flower bract opening, vase life of flower was taken from T4, T6, T6 in H. psittacorum cv.‘Golden Torch’. Highest water uptake capacity, flower bract opening, vase life of flower was taken from T7, T7, T5 in H. psittacorum var cv. ‘Choconiana’. Highest water uptake capacity, flower bract opening, vase life of flower was taken from T3, T7, T7 in H. rostata.