Vol. 10, Special Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Chandana S, Dr. VR Malam and Sinchana Jain NR

Abstract:
The present experiment entitled, “Evaluation of different drying methods and desiccants on physical parameters of annual chrysanthemum and gerbera” was carried out at the laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, JAU, Junagadh during the year 2019-2020. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with factorial concept and two factors i.e. drying methods viz. sun drying and shade drying and desiccants viz. river sand (red), river sand (black), sea sand, silica gel, borax powder and replicated thrice. Sun drying was found to be the best for physical parameters such as maximum weight loss percentage, minimum moisture content percentage and maximum moisture loss percentage during drying. Shade drying resulted in minimum reduction in flower diameter. Silica gel embedding was found to be best for physical parameters such as maximum weight loss percentage, minimum moisture content percentage and maximum moisture loss percentage during drying. Sea sand embedding resulted in minimum reduction in flower diameter. Interaction effect of different drying methods and desiccants found that sun drying with silica gel found best for physical parameters and shade drying with sea sand resulted in minimum reduction in flower diameter. Hence, it can be concluded that sun drying with silica gel was found to be best for all physical parameters except for reduction in flower diameter which was found best in shade drying with sea sand of annual chrysanthemum and gerbera during drying.