Indian Journal of Agricultural Biochemistry
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue: 1

Studies on Modified Atmosphere Storage of Gladiolus (Gladiolus Spp.) Spikes

1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India

2Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India

*Author for correspondence E-mail: simranpau171@gmail.com

Online published on 24 July, 2018.

Abstract

The spikes of four cultivars of gladiolus viz. Jacksonville Gold, White Prosperity, Sancerre and Nova Lux were harvested when 5–7 florets showed colour. The harvested spikes were subjected to modified atmosphere (MA) storage in polypropylene (PP) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) film sleeves at 4±0.5OC and 90–95% R.H. for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 days, respectively. Vase life and per cent opening of florets showed decline with the progress of storage duration in all the four cultivars. Cultivar Jacksonville Gold took least number of days for opening of the basal floret, had highest per cent opening of florets and also maximum vase life. Spikes stored in PP packages exhibited higher vase life and floret opening than those stored in LDPE packages. The florets of spikes stored in PP sleeves exhibited higher activity of peroxidase and catalase than those stored in LDPE sleeves. The longer vase life is attributed to alleviation of oxidative stress through activities of these enzymes.

Keywords

Gladiolus, modified atmosphere storage, PP and LDPE sleeves, vase life, peroxidase, catalase