Postharvest life of gladiolus cv. Jester Gold as influenced by different doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

The influence of different doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on gladiolus cv. Jester Gold was studied in a field trial conducted by factorial randomized block design. The effect of nitrogen (20, 40, 60, 80 g/m2) with phosphorus (5, 10, 20 g/m2) and potassium (15, 20, 25 g/m2) and control applied to the plants on post-harvest life of cut gladiolus spikes were studied under laboratory conditions. Longevity of first floret was increased by application of N80P5 g/m2. A dose N60K20 and N80P10 g/m2 was producing bigger first and third fully opened floret, respectively. Application of N80K20 g/m2 resulted into maximum fully opened florets and total florets/spike in the vase. Effective useful life, vase-life, water uptake on third day and at senescence in the vase was increased by the use of N60P20g/m2. A fertilizer dose of N80P20 g/m2 resulted into maximum increment of spike length at senescence, fresh weight of spike at harvest, at third and fifth day in the vase.