A PCN ON

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CHEMICALS ON THE VASE-LIFE

EXTENSION OF GLADIOLUS

Submitted to
Mr. Kalika Bd. Adhikari
Lecturer, Course in-charge
Department of Agri-Economics
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science
Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

Submitted by:
Shrijana Timilsina
Class Roll No: 47
Exam Roll No: 45
B.Sc. Ag 8th Semester
IAAS Rampur, Chitwan
Nepal

July, 2008
Section-A
Project title
Duration of the project
Starting date
Expected date of termination
Location of project
Total cost of project
: Effect of Different Chemicals on the Vase life
extension of Gladiolus
: 1 months
: January 1, 2008
: Feb 30, 2009
: Rampur campus, Department of Horticulture, Chitwan
: NRs. 213200/-

Project Leader : Shrijana Timilsina

Collaborator :  Group for farmers Help and Research Nepal
(GFHR, Nepal).
 NARC.

Project Summary
The demand of high quality gladiolus is increasing day by day and national as well as
international market. The demand isn’t being fulfilled by Nepali gladiolus, solely due to
poor quality which can’t compete with the Indian and other country’s exports. The
floriculture products produced in Nepal can meet only 40% of the domestic demand and
60% demands are being met by the supply from India. A good quality gladiolus is that
which has longer vase life, freshness, color etc. Along with production it is necessary to
increase post harvest shelf life of gladiolus. Being perishable crop it loose freshness and
appearance relatively faster. Because of lack of use of preservations there is no significant
increase in vase life and export of gladiolus in local, national and international markets is
low. Farmers and marketing enterprisers don’t know about the preservations to extend the
vase life of the gladiolus. As a result the farmers can’t get the proper price; consumer
couldn’t enjoy the elegance of cut spike for longer period. It is therefore extremely
important to increase vase live of gladiolus by identify suitable preservatives and
chemicals. By identifying the preservatives the farmer’s production can increase and
economical condition can improve.

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Section-B

B1. Purpose
Identify the preservatives of chemicals for extending vase life of gladiolus.

B2. Problems to be addressed

Gladiolus is becoming one of the most important cut flower and commercially cultivated
for cut flower trade. It is the most dominating feature in modern floriculture. The demand
of cut flower is very high. The demand of gladiolus within the Kathmandu valley is 750000
sticks per year excluding the latent demand. The supply situation shows that there is still
scope of 5 lakhs sticks of gladiolus spikes were sold by the Standard Nursery and One
bouquet of flower were sold at the rate of Rs. 15000 from Kathmandu Plaza. On that year
whole Kathmandu valley flower was sold at the worth of Rs 0.3 million. On the same year
Women in Floriculture Center earned Rs 3 lakhs in the Valentine day (Gautam, 1999).

Shorter vase life is the main problem of gladiolus. Due to short post harvest life consumer
couldn’t enjoy the elegance of cut spike of gladiolus for longer period in the vase. The
flower also loose freshness, colour change. Farmers can’t get good price in distance market
due to short vase life.

B3. Evidence for the demand for the purposed work

- Nepal can meet only 40% of the domestic demand and 60% demands are being met
by the supply from India.
- Being perishable crop, loose freshness and appearance relatively faster
- Local national and international market is low.
- In the valentine day and year 1999, 20000 of cut gladiolus spikes were sold by the
standard nursery and one bouquet of flower well sold at the rate and 15000 from
Katmandu Plaza.
- Due to short vase life, consumer couldn’t enjoy the elegance of the cut spike for
bringer period.

B4. Beneficiaries
The primary beneficiaries will be the gladiolus growers by extending the vase life of
gladiolus.

Secondary beneficiaries will be the entrepreneurs who are involved in the trade of flower.

Tertiary beneficiary will be the researchers, development workers and consumer of cut
gladiolus.

Disadvantaged group
The project will displace the importer who import gladiolus from India.

B5. Proposal contribute to the sustained poverty reduction

Gladiolus, one of the most important cut flower is the most dominating feature in modern
floriculture. Many marginal farmers will get satisfactory return from their produce because
its demand is high in market. Therefore this encourages a number of poor and marginal
farmers will involve in gladiolus cultivation and this will raise their income level. Similarly
other poor people get employed in different activities like harvesting, packaging etc. As a

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whole, economic standard of the people will rise thus contributed in sustained poverty
reduction.

B6. Promotion pathway for uptake

- Different chemicals and preservatives are brought from the different enterprises and
also cut gladiolus was collected from different places.
- Farmers group will be formed and the generated technology will be transferred
from farmers to farmers
- Group for farmers help and research Nepal (GFHR Nepal), and NARC are the
collaborator and hence the finding will be disseminated through the existing
network of extension.
- Relation will be built with other organization doing such work.

Section-C
Review of literature
The variable does of sucrose solution with 0.1% citric acid produced significant effect on
opening of the florets and the total vase-life of the flower spike at room temperature. Panta,
2002 Suggested that the total vase-life of cut gladiolus can be increased up to 75% by the
use of sucrose and citric acid solution. Different concentration of sucrose in the vase life
behavior of cut spike under normal room temperature demonstrated 12% sucrose solution
to be the most effective substrate in prolonging the vase life (11.3 days) of the cut spike
with the opening of largest size florets (10.2 cm in diameter) (Regmi, 2000). Sucrose plays
an important role on the vase life of cut flower (Hellebust, 1976). The uptake of sucrose by
rapidly expanding cells and its conversion to reducing sugar by the active invertase
associated with these cells appears to be important in maintain turgor during expansion
growth metabolic sugars other than sucrose are also effective in post harvest life of
gladiolus and fructose (Havely and Mayak, 1981). Use of antitraspirants, preservatives,
growth retardants, antibiotics and plant hormones, generally increase the longevity of
detached plant parts inclusive of flowers (Halevy and Mayak, 1979). The vase life of cut
gladiolus spike was significantly increased by the treatments varying from 19% with
Aluminum Sulphate (0.5 u m) to 76% with cobalt sulphate (0.5 u m) (Murali and Reddy,
1993). Longest vase life (18.3 days) was with 0.1 u m aluminum sulphate followed by 3%
sucrose (17.0 days) and 2% sucrose (15.3 days). Shortest vase life (9.1 days) was in
distilled water only (Dowda and Gowda, 1990). There was 1.5 to 1.6 times extension of cut
spike of gladiolus when treated with sucrose (5%) + 8 HQS (200 PPM) than that of control
i.e. spike held in distilled water (Song et al., 1982). Flowers in solution of sucrose and GA
had the highest percentage of open flowers (84%) compared with sucrose alone or in water
(58%) (Rao and Ram, 1979). Vase life was increased with sucrose and Cobalt. In
combination than with either alone, the maximum being 12.33 days with 4% sucrose +0.5 u
m Cobalt compared with 7 days for the control (Pierik, 1991). 600 PPM 8-
Hydroxyquinoline citrate (8 HQC) with 4% sucrose can be effective for increasing the
water uptake, decrease in vascular blockage and extend vase life of gladiolus (Bravdo et
al., 1974).

Section-D OUTPUT AND ACTIVITIES

D1. Output
1. Vase life of gladiolus increased.
2. Research finding published and technology generated disseminated.

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Activities
1.1 Collection of chemicals preservatives from different enterprises.
1.2 Collection of gladiolus spikes
1.3 Experimental trail to find the effective chemical and preservations for extending the
vase life.
2.1 Analysis of data.
2.2 Publishing of report.
2.3 Dissemination of project output.
2.4 Submission of report.

D2. Objectively verifiable indicators

 Efficient composition of chemicals that extend the vase life of the gladiolus
identified (Research report)
 Other technique that lengthens the vase-life of the flower disseminated among the
farmers at the end of the project. (Could be ascertained from discussion with the
farmers).

D3. Means of verification (MOV)

 Final project report
 Market survey report
 Statistical data of DADO Chitwan.

D4. Expected environmental impact

There will be no negative environmental impact from the project furthermore there is
minimization in loss of flower due to decay and damage so will be reduction in
environmental pollution.

D5. Project activities

Activity 1.1
Collection of chemicals and preservatives are done from the different enterprise:

Activities 1.2
Collection of cut gladiolus from different places.

Activities 1.3
The selected chemicals and preservatives are used in 7 different treatments in CRD design.
T1: Water only (Control)
T2: 4% Sucrose solution
T3: 4% Sucrose + Al Sulphate
T4: 4% Sucrose + 0.5 m u Co.
T5: 4% Sucrose + 8 HQS
T6: 4% Sucrose + 0.1% Citric acid
T7: 4% Sucrose + GA

Activity 2.1
Analysis of data by statistical program of MSTAT.

Activities 2.2
Publication of report

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Activity 2.3
Dissemination of project reports

Activities 2.4
Submission of report

Risk and Assumption

1. The collaborators will actively participate in research.
2. The fund will be available in time.
3. Related biotic and abiotic factors will be favorable.

D6. Factor preventing the attainment of planned activities

 Unfavorable climatic condition for gladiolus production.
 In efficient coordinator with collaborators.
 Conflict among project members and the surrounding population.
 If fund is not released timely.
 Well equipped laboratory unavailable.

Section-E
Collaboration and Partnership
E1. Internal collaboration :
S.N. Post Discipline Code Days Role in activity
1. Research assistance 02 15 Assist in Research
2. Post harvest officer 01 60 Research conduction
3. Extension officer 01 30 For extension

E2.External Collaboration :Group for farmers Help and Research Nepal (GFHR, Nepal),
NARC.
E3. Technical support :IAAS, Rampur, DADO, Chitwan.

Section-F
Budget summary
Activity Budget heading Month 1 Month 2 Total (In Rs)
1. 1. Staff Cost 40000 40,000 80,000
2. Chemicals 20000 - 20,000
3. Rent of experiment place 1000 1,000 2,000
4. Equipment and other things
(Electricity, Telephone, Computer,
rent, Paper) 10000 10,000 20,000

2. 1. Data analysis - 2,000 2,000

2. Publication of report 3,00,000 3,00,000
3. For extension and market survey 10,000 1,00,000
Sub total 1,64,000
Overheat (15%) 2,48,600
Contingency (15%) 2,48,600
Grand Total 2,13,200

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Curriculum Vitae:

Name: Shrijana Timilsina

Father name: Mr. Narayan Raj Timilsina
Address: Bharatpur-9, Chitwan
Contact no: 9845082831
E-mail: shri_timilsina@yahoo.com

Qualification:
Level Division
SLC 1st
+2 1st
B.Sc. Ag. (Running)

Trainings:
- PCN (Project Concept Note).
- Basic level in Computer.
- An Economic Analysis of Agricultural Projects.
- PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal).

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References

Acharya S.S. and N.L. Agarwal. 1994. Agricultural Prices Analysis and Policy. Oxford and
IBH publishing co. Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi. Pp. 27.

Acharya. S.S. and N.L. Agarwal. 1992. Agricultural Marketing in India. Oxford and IBH
publishing co. Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi. Pp. 316-328.

AEC. 2002. Floriculture. Agro enterprise Centre, Kathmandu.

AEC. 2004. Floriculture, Bulletin, November,2004. Agroenterprise centre, Kathmandu,

Nepal.

APROSC and JMA. 1995. Nepal Agriculture Perspective Plan, National Planning
Commission. Secretariat, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu

Auge, R. 1982. Gladiolus. In: T.K. Bose and L.P. Yadav. Commercial Flowers. 1989.
Naya Prakash, Clacultta-7, India. Pp267-354.

Colman, D. and T. Young. 1995. Principles of agricultural economics: markets and prices
in less developed countries. Cambridge University Press, Britain. P. 323.

DADO.2006. District Agriculture Development Office. Krishi Bikash Karya kram

Uplabdhi, Fiscal year 2005/2006 (in Nepali). HMG/N Ministry of Agriculture and
Co-operatives, Department of Agriculture, Regional Agriculture Directorate, DADO,
Chitwan.

FAN. 1995. Cut flowers production and marketing business plan, main report. AEC.
Kathmandu. 43p.

HMG.1998. The tenth plan. National planning commission, Kathmandu.

Kahlon, A.S. and M.V. George. 1985. Agricultural marketing and price policies. Allied
publishers pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

Khushk, A.M. 2002. Cut flowers: Marketing prospects. www.dawn.com.

Kulkarni, K.R. 1984. Agricultural Marketing in India. The cooperator's book depot,
Bombay, India. P. 212.

Laschkewitsh, B. and R. Smith. 2000. Field cut flower production: an alternative income
consideration. In: Extension report. North Dakota State University, USA.

Malakar, R. 1996. Gladiolus. In: S.D. Manandhar (2nd edition). Floriculture trade fair.
FAN, Kathmandu. Pp.43-44.

Malla, K.J. 1998. Floriculture in Nepal (present status and future scope). In: A. Rai, B.
Vaidya and S.D. Manandhar. Basanta floriculture trade fair 2054. FAN, Kathmandu.
Pp. 41-44.

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Logical Framework

Narrative Summary Objectively Means of Important

Verifiable Indicator Verification (MOV) Assumption
(OVI)
Goal By the year 2008 at Village survey People will early
Increase in production least 2% increase in Process reports adopter of this
of gladiolus and export the farmers income survey markets technology
in the local, national as by gladiolus
well as international production Cost effective
market by increasing
vase life to increase the
economical condition
of farmers
Purpose
Identify the By the year of 2008 Research Publication Fund will be
preservative and at least 3% increase and survey available in time.
chemical for extending in vase life of
vase life of gladiolus. gladiolus
Output 1
To increase the vase By the year of 2008 Consumer survey Cost effective
life of gladiolus. vase life will be 20
days by using
chemicals and
preservatives.
Output 2
Research finding By the year 2008, Technical reports Funds will be
published and 1000 pieces of Market and farmers available on time.
technology generated leaflets and books survey.
disseminated. will published and a Internet surfing.
web site will
designed