Carnation is a highly sensitive cut flower, needs to be transported without exposure to ethylene and to prevent the build up of ethylene concentration above the threshold level in boxes, ventilation holes are provided in the sides of boxes which help in free exchange of air. The studies on the wrapping up of the flowers with polyethylene sleeves of 50 gauge thickness, butter paper, newspaper and packed in corrugated fibre board boxes with different percentage of ventilations are important for determining the suitable packaging techniques during transport of flowers to markets. Wrapping in polyethylene sleeves of 50 gauge thicknesses and placing in corrugated fibre board boxes having 4% ventilation is the best packaging method for transporting carnation flowers to distance market. This packaging would ensure minimum physical damage, physiological loss in weight and membrane integrity and would extend the vase life to 11.67 days when compared with control (newspaper wrapping and CFB boxes with 2% ventilation) wherein flowers remain fresh for 6.00 days only.
Wrapping, packaging, polyethylene, vase life, ventilation
