1PAU Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kheri, Sangrur-148 001.
2Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004.
3Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004.
*Corresponding author: E-mail: kushal_flori@rediffmail.com
The spikes of gladiolus cv. White Prosperity were stored under sub atmospheric pressure (368.3 mm of Hg) in two polymeric film packages viz. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) of 100 gauge (25 μ) thickness. PP film maintained high levels of CO2 and low levels of O2 inside the packages throughout the storage period. The accumulation of CO2 in the HDPE packages was very low. HDPE packages also accumulated very high percentage of O2 i.e. near the atmospheric level. PP film packages retarded per cent loss of weight of the spikes and opening of florets in storage but increased post storage floret opening and vase life of the spikes. Florets in PP film packages also retained high starch and low soluble sugar contents in the tepals.
CO2, gladiolus, O2, storage, sub atmospheric pressure
