Journal of Hill Agriculture
Year : 2018, Volume : 9, Issue : 3
First page : ( 274) Last page : ( 277)
Print ISSN : 0976-7606. Online ISSN : 2230-7338.
Article DOI : 10.5958/2230-7338.2019.00005.3

Effect of ascorbic acid on leaf discoloration and vase life of spray chrysanthemums

Hiremath Varun*, Jain Ritu

Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

*E mail: varunhiremath1992@gmail.com

Online published on 13 January, 2020.

Abstract

Present study was conducted to examine the influence of antioxidant ascorbic acid on leaf discoloration during post-harvest life of chrysanthemum. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with eight treatements replicated thrice with three cut stems per replication. Cut stems of chrysanthemum cv. Yellow Gold and cvs. Red Gold were used as planting material for the study. The cut stems were given various treatments consisting of spraying with 50, 100 and 150 ppm ascorbic acid or keeping in vase solutions containing ascorbic acid 4% sucrose alone or in combination with 50, 100, 150 ppm ascorbic acid and were compared with control (distilled water). This study concluded that spraying 100 ppm ascorbic acid extended vase life of cvs. Yellow Gold and Red Gold. Minimum change in fresh weight, maximum solution uptake and reduced leaf yellowing was recorded. Maximum chlorophyll content (chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’ and total chlorophyll) were recorded in both cultivars when sprayed 50 ppm ascorbic acid. However, sucrose alone or in combination with ascorbic acid proved to be effective to preserve chlorophyll content. The study indicated that application of ascorbic acid can reduce leaf discoloration and extend vase life of spray chrysanthemums.

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Keywords

Ascorbic acid, discoloration, antioxidant, vase solution.

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