Vol. 11, Issue 1 (2022)

Author(s):
V Rakesh, Zehra Salma, P Prasanth, D Lakshminarayana and S Praneeth Kumar

Abstract:
The experiment entitled Studies on extending storage life of Gaillardia loose flowers using different chemical sprays and packaging material was conducted at Floricultural Research station, Rajendranagar during Rabi of 2020-21. The treatments comprised of T₁ Ascorbic acid @ 200 ppm + Cloth bag, T₂ CaCl₂ @ 0.5% + Cloth bag, T₃ Ascorbic acid @ 200 ppm + Gunny bag, T₄ CaCl₂ @ 0.5% + Gunny bag, T₅ Ascorbic acid @ 200 ppm + Bamboo basket, T₆ CaCl₂ @ 0.5% + Bamboo basket, T₇ Ascorbic acid @ 200 ppm + Plastic net bag, T₈ CaCl₂ @ 0.5% + Plastic net bag, T₉ Ascorbic acid @ 200 ppm + Plastic woven bag and T₁₀ CaCl₂ @ 0.5% + Plastic woven bag. The treatment containing Ascorbic acid @ 200 ppm + Plastic woven bag recorded maximum shelf life (55.67 hrs), freshness index (55.14), minimum physiological loss in weight (5.79%), percentage spoilage (60.00%) and flower shrinkage (22.67%) when compared to other treatments. The results suggest that Ascorbic acid @ 200 ppm + Plastic woven bag can be used to enhance the storage life of Gaillardia loose flowers.