INFLUENCE OF COLOURING AGENTS ON POSTHARVEST LIFE AND QUALITY OF TUBEROSE CUT SPIKES

摘要

An investigation was carried out to study the influence of colouring agents viz. ammonium purpurate, eosin yellow, bromocresol blue, bromocresol green and phenol red on vase life, floret opening and quality of cut spikes of tuberose cv. Suvasini. It has been recorded that all the colouring agents have successfully induced various shades of colours without affecting the postharvest life and quality of cut spikes. Ammonium purpurate has successfully incorporated rhodomine red colour to the cut spikes and was recorded best with respect to increase in rachis length, delay in wilting of first, third and last opened floret pair, extension of useful life, retention of fragrance, water uptake, floret opening, diameter and length of first, third and last opened floret pair over other treatments including control.