Prolong the vase life and improve quality of (gladiolus hybrid cv. White prosperity) cut flower by using some growth regulators

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the postharvest performance of gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrid cv. White Prosperity) cut spikes treated with different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) individually and in combination during 2024 and 2025 seasons Seven holding solutions were tested: distilled water (control), GA3 at 25 and 50 mg/L, 6-BA at 15 and 30 mg/L, and two combinations (25 mg/L GA3 + 15 mg/L 6-BA; 50 mg/L GA3 + 30 mg/L 6-BA). All solutions were supplemented with 200 mg/L AgNO3 and 1.5% sucrose. The parameters determined were fresh weight of flowers and plants, vase life, total chlorophyll content (SPAD units), total carbohydrates, total sugars, protein content, water relations (uptake, loss and balance) and bacterial counts in the vase solution. The results showed that the combined application of 50 mg/L GA3 + 30 mg/L 6-BA was the best for all traits measured in both seasons. This treatment also improved the vase life by 63.71-66.67% over control, recorded highest fresh weight retention, maximum chlorophyll content (38.14 and 40.18 SPAD units), maximum total carbohydrates (20.27 and 22.32%), total sugars (4.22 and 4.59%) and protein content (12.83 and 13.64%), maximum water uptake (59.33 and 63.30 g/flower) and most favorable water balance along with lowest bacterial counts (36.42 and 64.89 x10² CFU/ml) during 2024 and 2025, respectively. Vase life showed strong positive correlations with important physiological parameters such as chlorophyll retention, carbohydrate and protein status, and water uptake, but negative correlations with water loss and bacterial proliferation. The results confirm that GA3 and 6-BA containing postharvest holding solutions act synergistically in delaying senescence, maintaining physiological integrity and prolonging the marketable life of gladiolus cv. White Prosperity cut spikes.