Effect of Thidiazuron with Sucrose Pulsing and Low Temperature Storage with Polyfilm Packaging on Floret Opening and Abscission of Tuberose Cut Spikes

Tuberose is a perennial plant and mostly use as cut flower as well as loose flower. Low temperature storage of tuberose flower spike decreases or inhibits floret opening and triggers floret abscission adversely affecting the flower quality. The investigations were conducted to study the influence of pre-storage pulsing with TDZ with sucrose and low temperature storage with poly film packaging on post storage quality of tuberose cut spikes. Pre-storage pulsing, poly film packaging and low temperature storage at 2 °C significantly influenced post-harvest floret opening tuberose flower spikes. Pre-storage pulsing of tuberose spikes with solution containing 0.5 mM TDZ +15% sucrose or for six hours, followed by 2 °C low temperature storage under seal packaging with HDPE 40 μ for fifteen days, significantly improved physiological parameters like water uptake (ml), total soluble sugars and electrolyte leakage (%) in florets tissue. This further lead to improved per cent floret opening and decreased abscission during post storage life.