Extending the post harvest vase life and keeping quality of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hook) cut flowers using different antioxidants

An experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of antioxidants on extension of post harvest vase life and keeping quality of gerbera in completely randomized design with three replications during 2022-23 to 2023-24 at Floricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Institute, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. In the two year study it was found that at the end of vase life flowers placed in the vase solution of citric acid at 200 ppm recorded the maximum water uptake (24.50 g/f), highest vase life (14 days), and lowest optical density (0.074 nm), Whereas, salicylic acid at 200 ppm recorded maximum petal relative water content (72.45%) and less change in petal colour.