Effects of cold storage on post harvest keeping quality of Gloriosa (Gloriosa superba L.) flowering stems

Abstract

The impact of cold storage and floral preservatives on Gloriosa superba quality attributes of fresh weight, petal and leaf colour, chlorophyll fluorescence and vase life were investigated during the vase life period. Wet storage (4 °C for 7 d) of fully opened Gloriosa flowers markedly improved flower keeping quality when stems were kept in 'Standard Vase Solution', as compared to dry stored flowers. However, a sharp decrease in fresh weight and vase life was observed at 4 °C after 10 days of cold storage. Chlorophyll fluorescence values (F„, Fm and Fv) increased up to day 3 and then decreased over the vase period. Compared to other treatments, flowers kept at 4 °C (wet storage) for 7 days maintained a higher chlorophyll fluorescence yield (0.76) during vase period. There was a significant decrease of chlorophyll fluorescence yield with increasing storage temperature. Results proved that flower colour was affected by increasing temperature in the storage. Wet cold storage (4 °C for 7 d) and use of selected floral preservatives played an important role in postharvest flower quality of Gloriosa.