Effects of Pre-treatments and Packaging Materials on Ethylene Evolution of Tuberose (Polianthes Tuberosa L.)

Abstract:

Study was carried out to determine the effect of pre-treatments, packaging materials and storage conditions on ethylene evolution of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) flowers. The pre-treatments viz. boric acid (2 and 4 per cent), ascorbic acid (50 and 100 ppm) and NAA (50 and 100 ppm) were applied prior to packaging of flowers. The ethylene evaluation was studied at different levels of LDPE package under ambient and refrigerated conditions. The 50-ppm naphthalene acetic acid-treated flowers, packed with LDPE 76.2- micron and 38.1-micron recorded minimum ethylene evolution (27.46 ppm) at ambient conditions. The naphthalene acetic acid (50 ppm) and boric acid (2 per cent) treated flowers could record minimum ethylene evolution (24.08 ppm) under 76.2-micron packaging in refrigerated storage after ten days. Of all the pre-treatments, control registered maximum ethylene evolution of 46.02 ppm at 50.8- micron packaging. Amongst the treatments, naphthalene acetic acid and packaging (76.2-micron) material found best in minimising ethylene evolution in both ambient and refrigerated storage conditions.