Abstract

A study was conducted to derive the output from individual and interaction effect of bio-fertilizers and foliar spray of chemicals and organic growth substances on flower quality and post-harvest physiology of gerbera grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions. Bio-fertilizers and foliar spray as individual treatments as well as their interaction were highly significant in influencing the growth, flower quality and post-harvest physiology and vase life of gerbera flowers. Among all the treatment combinations, inoculation with bio-fertilizers along with foliar spray of spermine @ 25 ppm recorded maximum number of leaves per plant (24.53), leaf area index (4.81), yield per m2 (343.20) and significantly improved flower quality parameters viz., length of ray floret (4.81 cm), width of ray floret (1.83), girth of neck (6.60 mm) and anthocyanin content in the petal tissue (19.20 mg/g). Further, the same treatment combination significantly influenced post-harvest physiology of gerbera flowers with higher retained flower fresh weight (30.61 and 23.55 g), water uptake (33.47 and 30.53 ml) by the flower and minimum free amino acids (2.33 and 3.90 mg/g) in the petal tissue on 4th and 6th day of vase life as well as extended the post-harvest life of gerbera flowers to 10.25 days which was followed by or at par with the treatment combination of bio-fertilizers along with vermiwash @ 4%. Thus, these treatment combinations of bio-fertilizers along with foliar spray of spermine @ 25 ppm or vermiwash @ 4% improved the post-harvest quality, influenced the post-harvest physiology and thereby enhanced post-harvest life of gerbera flowers.