Influence of packaging material along with wet refrigerated storage conditions on post-harvest life of cut chrysanthemum cv. Reagan White

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different packaging films comprising of LDPE (100 and 200 gauge), polypropylene, polyethylene, micro-perforated polyethylene and cellophane bags on low temperature storage of cut chrysanthemum flowers cv. Reagan White. The results obtained showed that the LDPE was most effective film in enhancing the vase-life and quality under both refrigerated wet storage and normal ambient conditions. The LDPE 100 gauge packed flower stems resulted in enhanced vase-life compared to other treatments by maintaining flower and leaf membrane stability index coupled with lower physiological loss in weight. The percent decline in total soluble sugars and reducing sugar contents in leaf and ray floret tissues was less in LDPE packaged flowers as compared to other treatments and control. The wrapped flowers stems in refrigerated wet storage after 15 days at 4°C were held in vase at ambient conditions. The maximum vase-life (12.67 days) was found with LDPE 100 gauge packaged flower stems. The higher CO2 and lower O2 concentrations were recorded in LDPE packed flower stems, which were attributed to prevention of oxidative stress. There was marked favourable biochemical changes in the cut flower tissue, viz. total soluble sugars, reducing sugar, leaf chlorophyll content, MDA content, and superoxide dismutase activity in vase under ambient conditions.