Effects of packing material, storage condition and pre-treatment on vase life of Gerbera cut flowers | |
| Author | Ekanayake, Dinanjana Chavindi |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-10-03 |
| Subject(s) | Gerbera--Postharvest technology Cut flowers--Packaging |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultura l Systems and Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Developmnet |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-10-03 |
| Abstract | Gerbera jamensonii var. “Carmen” is a popular cut flower with a showy scarlet red colour, having a considerable demand in both domestic and export floriculture markets. Short vase life of two to three days, stem breakage and bending of stems of cut Gerbera flowers restrict their ornamental and commercial value as a cut flow er. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the appropriate measures to prolong the postharvest life from harvesting to marketing of cut flowers of Gerbera jamensonii var. “Carmen”. In the first study, one set of flowers were first pulsed with 0.2 mM l - 1 Silver thiosulphate (STS) solution for 10 minutes and transferred in to sucrose solution combined with 8 - Hydroxyquinaline sulphate (8 - HQS) of three concentrations (viz. 80,100 and 120 g/l) for three pulse durations (viz. 6, 12 and 18 hours). Anothe r set of flowers were pulsed with 0.2 mM l - 1 STS and sucrose solution of three concentrations (viz. 80,100 and 120 g/l) together for three pulse durations (viz. 6, 12 and 18 hours). Control treatment was given only distilled water. The longevity of flowers , angle of potion of flowers, angle of flower, angle of petals, flower diameter, flower colour of petals and anthocyanin content of petals were recorded in every other day. Flowers treated with 0.2 mM l - 1 STS for 10 minutes followed by sucrose concentratio n of 100 g/l with 8 - HQS for 18 hour pulse duration gave the best results in vase life (10 dyas) along with other flower parameters. In the second study, flowers were pre - treated with 0.2 mM l - 1 STS for 10 minutes followed by 100 g l - 1 sucrose solution com bined with 8 - HQS for 18 hours and then given four concentrations (viz. 0, 25, 50 and 75 ppm) of Benzyladenine (BA) solution during storage for three storage durations (viz. 24, 36 and 48 hours). Same observations, except anthocyanin content were recorded. All flower parameters recorded their highest vase life at 40 ppm BA concentration. In the third study, pre - treated flowers with 0.2 mM l - 1 STS for 10 minutes followed by 100 g l - 1 sucrose solution combined with 8 - HQS for 18 hours pulsed with or without 40 ppm Benzyleadenine (BA) solution, wrapped in two packing materials (viz. paper and polythene), stored under two temperatures (viz. 2 o C and 25 o C). for three storage durations (viz. 24, 36 and 48 hrs). Flowers pulsed with BA solution, wrapped in polythene , stored under 2 o C temperature for 24 hrs gave the highest vase life of 10.4 days. Polythene was the preferred packing material while 2 o C storage temperature was the suitable temperature. Flowers stored for 24 and 36 hour period were maintained higher va se life than they stored for 48 hours. Pulsing with 40 ppm BA solution improved the vase life regardless of any other factor. |
| Year | 2010 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-10-03 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ranamukaarachchci, S. L. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Athapol Noomhorm;Cochard, Roland |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Ministry of Foreign Affaires, Norway |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2010 |