Response of passive storage duration and polymeric packaging films on postharvest life of Suvasini tuberose cut spikes

Abstract

A study was conducted at Department of Horticulture, MPUAT Udaipur on response of storage duration and packaging materials under passive modified atmosphere storage of tuberose cut spikes cv. Suvasini to find out the suitable packaging material and storage duration in tuberose to avoided seasonal glut in market. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with factorial concept and with three replications. The cut spikes were harvested when 1–2 florets showed colour, after pre cooling, pulsing with 20% sucrose solution cut spikes were packed in five wrapping materials (LDPE-25μ, 50μ, PP-25μ, 50μ and news paper wrapping served as control) and stored on five level of storage duration (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days). The cut spike packed sleeves were stored vertically under refrigerated condition at 3–4°C, 85–90% relative humidity. The stored spikes were removed after storage duration and kept in corrugated fibre board boxes for 6hrs simulated transit and various postharvest parameters were recorded. Polypropylene sleeves exerted varying effect on keeping quality of spikes. Vase life was maximum in polypropylene-25μ (11.64 days) and minimum in low density polyethylene 50μ sleeves. The keeping quality of unpackaged stored tuberose cut spikes was highly deteriorated, which decreases with increase in refrigerated storage duration. An ideal level of CO2 (1.98%), lower level O2 (13.84%) and C2H4 (0.78 ppm) respectively were recorded at 3 days storage duration packed in polypropylene-25μ. The spikes stored in polypropylene-25μ with 3 days storage level also showed highest basal florets diameter (3.55 cm), vase life (11.64 days), gain in fresh weight (7.72%) and water uptake (34.39 ml), which continued to decrease with increase in storage duration irrespective to packaging material. Optimum level of CO2(2.48%), lower level O2(12.36%) and C2H2(0.80 ppm) after 6 hrs simulated transit were recorded at 3 days storage in polypropylene-25μ. On the basis of three year study, it is recommended that polypropylene-25μ along with 3 days storage duration were found most suitable for post harvest life under passive modified atmosphere storage of tuberose.