An Investigation of the Effect of 2,4-D Sucrose, and CaCl2 Treatment on some Qualitative, and Quantitative Traits of Tuberose Cut Flower (Polianthes tuberose)

Tuberose cut flower is considered one of the most important cut flowers from the viewpoint of production and export. The failure of developing buds into open ones and the abscission of floret are two of the common problems in the postharvest of Tuberose cut flower that diminishes its longevity and therefore its market quality. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of 2,4-D sucrose and CaCl2 on open flower percent and abscission on bud flower of tuberose cut flower (Pearl cultivar) in the laboratory of agricultural college of Abhar Islamic Azad University in 2007. The experiment was arranged in a factorial design based on a completely randomized design and 3 replications. Tuberose cut flowers were experimented taking into account the factors of: 2,4-D at levels of 0, 50, 100 and 200 ppm, sucrose; 0, 1.5 , 3.5 and 5.5 percent; and CaCl2 at levels of 0, 200 and 400 ppm. One hundred ppm of Al2SO4 was added to all the treatments. Percent of flowering, bud abscission, longevity, RWC and calcium content of pedicle were assessed. The results showed that 2,4-D significantly increased calcium content, while significantly decreasing the open flower percentage, longevity as well as RWC percent. Any of the sucrose and CaCl2 treatment alone significantly increased the open flower but it was observed that the most open flower percentage, RWC and flower longevity occurred at 3.5 percent sucrose and 200 ppm CaCl2 treatment. This treatment increased the open flower percent 92 percent (in comparison with control) and decreased the abscission of floret percent to only 5.33 percent. This finllay can be recomended for somehow solving the problem of postharvest, in the case of tuberose cut flower, cv. Pearl.