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The present study was carried out for the evaluation of different holding solutions and gamma radiation in extending the vase life of chrysanthemum flowers cv. Little Pink. The flowers was obtained by treating the plants (rooted cuttings) with various doses of gamma radiation and were placed in seven different holding solutions. It was observed that both, doses of irradiation as well as holding solutions, have a significant effect independently on enhancing the vase life of chrysanthemum cut flower. Effect of the interaction of two factors on enhancing the vase life of flower has also been observed to be significant. The results have revealed that the maximum vase life of flower and foliage, maximum diameter of flower, total solution uptake was observed to be the highest for the plants treated with 1Kr gamma radiation and HQS 200 ppm holding solutions. The lowest number of bacterial colony counts in holding solutions was measured with HQS 200ppm.

Key words: Chrysanthemum, Gamma radiation, Holding solutions, Hydroxyquinoline sulphate,