Post Harvest Handling of Flower Crops

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Introduction

Flowers and post production handling

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Need for post harvest handling

Flowers remain alive even after harvest and continue their metabolic activities causing

Depletion of carbohydrates Rise in temperature and respiration ratesRapid deterioration due to micro-organisms Water stressIncreased accumulation of ethylene

DeteriorationOf harvested Produce

Need for appropriate post harvest handling technologies

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Factors effecting post harvest quality and longevity of flowers

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1.Pre harvest factors 2. Post harvest factors

Genetic / inherent make up

Growing conditions

Stage of harvest

Respiration rate

RH

Growth regulators

Preservative solutions

Precooling and storage

Packing and transporting

Critical factors involved in post harvest longevity

Stage of Harvest

Post harvest treatments like pulsing

storage

Packing

Transportation with cold chain

Vase5

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1.Stage of harvest

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Stage of harvest

Plays a key role

Varies with species

With in species it varies with varieties

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Yoode et al., 2013Acta Hort . Dendrobium Orchid cv.Suree white and Suree peach

S1 = 25 % opened flowersS2 = 40 % opened flowers S3 = 50 % opened flowersS4 = 75 % opened flowers

cv.Suree white no difference cv.suree peach – 25 % opened flowers - increased vase life

Singh et al., 2010 J.Ornam. Hort. Chrysanthemum cv.Reagen

S1 = ray floret diameter 1-1.5 cmS2 = buds half open S3 = ¾ open buds

Maximum floret longevity with S1

Varu and Barad. 2010 J.Hort.Sciences Tuberose

S1= unopened floretsS2 = one floret openedS3 = two florets opened

Stem length : 45, 60, 75, 90 cms

90 cm stem length with one floret open stage

Reviews on stage of harvest

2.Precooling and pulsing treatments

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Precooling and pulsing treatments Removal of excess field heat

Methods- hydro cooling / refrigeration , forced air cooling

Brings down respiration rate- enhance post harvest quality

Pulsing

Pre-storage / pre shipment treatment for short and prescribed duration

Sugar is the main component in pulsing solution

To regain turgidity of flowers

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Acharyya et al ., 2013Acta.Hort. Gerbera var Sunway

100 ppm AgNo3 + 4% sucrose Vase life correlated with water uptake

Kumar et al.,2012, Annals of Hort.Gladiolus cv. yellow stone

25 ppm AgNo3 + 2% sucrose Water uptakeFlower diameterRachis lengthFloret length

Hajizadeh et al.,2012Rosa hybrid cv. Black magic

100 ppm Al2So4 + 2% ethanol + 2.5% sucrose

Vase life extended to 18 days

Marandi et al.,2011J.Med . Plant.ResGladiolus

500 ppm Ajowan oil + 150 ppm STS + 1.5 mM SA

Water uptakeFresh weight

Reviews on preservative chemicals

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The Comparison of anti microbial effects silver nano particles and silver nitrate to extend the

vase life of “Red ribbon” cut rose flowers.

Hatami et al.(2013)

Trakia. J.Sci.,11 (2): 144-151.

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Long

itud

inal

Se

ctio

n

Cross section

Vascular occlusion in the stem end of cut rose

Xylem blockages

A,B stem ends pulsed With 50 mg SNP/lFor 1 hr

C,D- control

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Conclusion

Use of 33 nm SNP @50 mg/lt + 5 % sucrose extends vase life of cut flowers of rose cv. Red Ribbon

Mobility of silver ion in stem of rose flowers is very slow

Application of nano particles with antimicrobial effects can improve mobility

Although AgNo3 maintains the flower quality , its application have to be avoided due its environmental risks

3.Grading of flowersDamaged or infested flowers if any are discarded.

Good flowers are graded according to bud size and stem length

Uniform buds of a particular grade are bunched for further process

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Potential of spectral reflectance as post harvest classification tool for flower development of Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica L. Spreng.)

Steidle et al.,2009

Chilean . J . Agri. Sci., 69(4) :588-592

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Conclusion

Spectral reflectance has large potential

to distinguish different postharvest development stages

Hence this can be used within automatic systems for flower classification

Automation of grading will ensure the availability of quality flowers with better post harvest life

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Packaging materials

cellophane paper butter paper CFB papers aluminum laminated foil polyethylene sheet

Packing materials

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Polythene films

LDPE films

Aluminium foil

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Packaging materials:

CFB boxes with holes

Thermacol boxes

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Singh et al. 2007J. Ornam.Hort., Gladiolus

Cellophane PolypropyleneNews paperButter paperBrown paperPlastic coated brown paper

Poly propylene (60 micron) - cold stored upto 10 days .

Thamirai selvi et al., 2010 j.Ornam.Hort.,Jasmine sambac

Polypropylene without vents ( 20 , 40,60,80) microns

Corrugated fibre board with 4 % vents

Polypropylene package 60 micron packing and CFB packaging with 4 % boric acid pre treatment increased shelf life up to 8 days

Reviews on packing materials

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Jasmine now from our local Market to foreign market

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Standardization of export packing technology for Jasmine sambac

flowers.

Jawaharlal et al., 2013

International conference on quality management of supply chains of ornamentals Acta Horticulture ., 970: 81-91.

Treatments

Box A – Aluminum foil lined cardboard boxes

Box B – thicker polypropylene boxes

Box C – thinner polypropylene boxes

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T1 - Sucrose 2 %

T2 - Sucrose 4%

T3 - Boric acid 2%

T4 - Boric acid 4 %

T5 - Salicylic acid 25 ppm

T6 - Salicylic acid 50 ppm

T7 - Ascorbic acid 50 ppm

T8 - Ascorbic acid 100 ppm

T9 - NAA 50 ppm

T10 - NAA 100 ppm

T 11 - distilled water

T 12 - without soaking

Cont….

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Influence of shelf life of jasmine flowers with different packing and chemical treatments

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Influence of export packing material on PLW of jasmine

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Influence of export packing material on moisture content of jasmine flowers

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Cost economics of export packing technology per Kg of Jasmine flowers from India to destination market in New Jersey, US

ConclusionThe export packing technology involving

chemical treatments of flowers – 4 % boric acid packing - aluminium foil lined boxes Packaging – thermacol boxes under gel-ice cold condition

Shelf life recorded - 42.88 hours ( including 36 hours of air transit)

BCR - 1: 2.5

This package found to be highly suitable for export to overseas market

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Export packing technology for roses ( loose flower) with gel ice packs

4.cold chain Includes the temperature regulation at all stages in

post harvest practices

Starting from precooling to shipment the optimum temperatures should be maintained

Increase the longevity of the flowers

Cold chain – an optimum temperature regulation

Stage Temperature Maintained

Pre cooling 6- 12 0C

Cold storage 5 0 C

Grading and packing 20 o C

Refrigerated vans 5-8 o C

Cargo cabin 16 O C

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Rungruchkananth et al.2013 Acta horticultureDendrobium cvs. Sonia Anna Sanam white Fatima

an alternative to high freight charges shipment in sea with different storage (10,15,20) temperatures for 3 days was experimented

Anna – 15o CSonia, Sanan white ,Fatima-15-20o C is optimum consumer vase life -15 days

Gul et al.2013journal of horticultural sciences and ornamental plants Narcissus cv. Kashmir Local

Wet storage in distilled water for 72 hrs compared with dry storage at 5 and 10o C

Cool wet storage in distilled water for 72 hrs is 5o C improved performance in vase .

Reviews on storage temperatures

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Best practices for retail display of fresh cut Roses and Lilies

Nell et al., 2010

American Floral Endowment , Special research report # 447www.endowment.org

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Model display cooler used for studies

Temperature – ≤ 5 o C

RH – 65-70%

24 hrs – day light for retail display

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Fig : 1 Changes in rose fresh weight / stem from initial weight at various display temperature

Time in retail display (days)

Fresh Weightchange (%)

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Changes in Lily fresh weight / stem from initial weight at various display temperature.

Fig : 2

Time in retail display (days)

Fre

sh W

eigh

t cha

nge

(%

)

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Effect of display conditions on vase life of cut Roses and Lilies

Fig 3:

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‘Charlotte’ Roses 5 days after removal from 8 days in display conditions

Lilies 8 days after removal from 4 days in display conditions

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Conclusion

Impact to the industry - using display coolers is an easy way to maintain flower quality during retail display

Flowers longevity at the customers’ end will increase when flowers are displayed in coolers

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Preservative solutions

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Holding solution:

- The f l ow er f o od1. Sucrose

Gives nourishment 10-20 g/ ltr is optimum More we add the faster is the life cycle - so use

optimum concentrations

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2.Biocide /Germicide

Chemicals which kills the micro- organisms

Retard bacterial growth

Ultimately increase water and nutrient uptake

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3. Acidifier

Brings down the pH of the water we use

Increased water uptake

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4.Ethylene Inhibitor

Senescence and aging

Amino oxy acetic acid

Amino ethoxy vinyl glycine

Methoxyvinyl glycine

1-methyl cyclo propane

ETHYLENE

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Site of action of ethylene inhibitors

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Effect of Gibberlic Acid on vase life and oxidative activities in senescing cut

gladiolus flowers.

Plant Growth Regulators DOI 10.1007/s 10725-013-9839-y spinger online publication

Saeed et al ., 2013

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Effect of various levels of GA3 on percent fresh weight change in Gladiolus cut flowers during 10 days vase life

Ch

ange

in f

resh

Wei

ght

%

Days in vase solution

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Effect of various levels of GA3 on SOD activity in gladiolus cut flowers during 10 days vase life

Conclusion

GA3 application at 25-50 mg/L recorded highest results for improving vase life and quality

GA3 enhanced

Water uptake

Membrane stability

Antioxidant enzyme activity

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Conclusion

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Thank youPresented by Ch. Girija Sr. M.Sc (FLA)

Chair personSujatha. A. NairPrincipal ScientistDivision of Ornamental Crops IIHR , Bengaluru