Response of storage duration, harvest stages and polymeric packaging films on post harvest life of gladiolus cut spikes cv. White Prosperity

A study was conducted on response of storage duration, harvest stage and polymeric packaging film on modified atmosphere storage of gladiolus cut spikes cv. White Prosperity. The cut spikes were harvested at two distinct stages of floret development, i.e., S1- when 1–2 florets showed colour, S2 when- 4–5 florets showed colour, packed in various wrapping material and stored for four storage duration levels. Polymeric sleeves exerted varying effect on keeping quality of spikes. S1- spikes exhibited lower vase-life than S2- spikes. Vaselife was maximum in polypropylene-100 and minimum in low density polyethylene -200 gauge sleeves. The keeping quality of unpackaged cold stored cut spikes was highly deteriorated, which decreases with increase in refrigerated storage duration. An ideal level of higher CO2 (4.30%), lower level O2(10.64%) and C2H4 (0.50 ppm), respectively were recorded at 7 days storage duration with the spike harvested at 4–5 florets show colour and packed in polypropylene -100 guage interaction (D2S2P3). The spikes stored at D2S2P3 level also showed higher number of florets opened at a time (3.21), gain in fresh weight (6.01%), longevity of floret (3.46 days), opened florets per spike in vase (8.40), second floret diameter (10.42 cm), vase-life (8.40 days) and water uptake (67.86 ml), which continued to decrease with increase in storage duration. Hence, 7 days storage duration with 4–5 florets show colour on spike (S2) and packed in polypropylene -100 guage sleeves were found most suitable for post-harvest life under modified atmosphere storage of gladiolus.