Effect of packaging materials and storage conditions on shelf life of loose flowers of tuberose

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of packaging materials and storage conditions on post-harvest quality of loose flowers of tuberose var. Maxican Single. It is revealed from the data that at ambient temperature, reduction in flower weight ranged from 12.38% (polythene bags) to 57.25% (nylon net bags) as observed on 3^rd day of storage. On 5^th dayof storage there was more than 50% reduction in flower weight in all the treatments. At refrigerated temprrature (5°C), process of loss in flower weight was slow and ranged from 17.57% to 86.86% as observed on 11^th days of storage after packing in polythene bags (200 gauge) and bamboo basket + newspaper lining, respectively. It is concluded from the present experiment that shelf life of tuberose florets packed in polythene bags (200 gauge) and stored at 5°C temperature was enhanced up to 11^th days with 17.57% reduction in flower weight.