Foliar application of nutrient formulation enhances the post-harvest quality of tuberose (Agave amica Medik.) cv. Arka Prajwal

A study was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture Laboratory to investigate the influence of various nutrient formulations on the post-harvest quality of tuberose using a knapsack sprayer and drone. The treatments involved spraying macro and micronutrients along with growth regulators at different concentrations. Throughout the experiment, all parameters were recorded at 2 days intervals. Drone spray of MN mixture + 0.5 % poly feed + 0.6 % humic acid + 150 ppm GA3 recorded the maximum plant post-harvest quality attributes over other treatments. It showed increased post-harvest quality attributes, including relative water content percentage of flower (95.15 %), physiological loss of weight percentage of flower (14.83 %), shelf life at room temperature (3.79 days) and vase life (12.45 days). Additionally, the treatment was found to be the best for parameters of water uptake (38.45 g) and percentage of floret opened (27.02). Plots treated with drone spray of MN mixture + 0.5 % poly feed + 0.6 % humic acid + GA3 at 150 ppm showed a reduced rate of transpiration loss of water (14.89 g) and electrolyte leakage (12.52). The experimental findings demonstrated that foliar application of nutrients along with growth regulators at different concentrations using drones improved the post-harvest quality of tuberose.