Physio‐biochemical and anatomical basis of enhanced post‐harvest quality of Lilium LA hybrid ( <i>Lilium longiflorum</i> × Asiatic hybrid) cv. Parrano cut stems through pulsing with plant growth substances

ABSTRACT The post‐harvest life of Lilium cut stems is dependent upon the turgidity of tepals and greenness of leaves. The present study investigated the effect of 10 pulsing treatments on morpho‐physiological, biochemical and anatomical characteristics of Lilium LA hybrid ( Lilium longiflorum × Asiatic hybrid) cv. Parrano. The treatments included sucrose, gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) and benzyl adenine (BA), applied individually and in combinations, resulting in a total of 10 treatments, including a distilled water control. Results revealed that the cut stems pulsed with 2% sucrose + 100 mg/L GA 3 + 50 mg/L BA had maximum flower size, water absorption, relative water content, membrane stability index and total soluble sugars. Pulsing with 2% sucrose and 150 mg/L BA hastened leaf yellowing by 1 and 2 days, respectively, compared to the control, and also led to a decrease in leaf protein content. Anatomical analysis indicated reduced vascular blockage and better structural integrity in the cut stems treated with GA 3 and combination treatments. Hence, pulsing with a combination of 2% sucrose + 100 mg/L GA 3 + 50 mg/L BA effectively extended the post‐harvest life to 18 days i.e. 5 days longer than control. Thus, combined application of GA 3 , BA and sucrose had potential for enhancing post‐harvest quality of Lilium cut stems.