Development of packaging technology for cut foliage and potted plants
2003
Rimando, T.J. | Chavez, S.M. (Philippines Univ. Los Banos, College, Laguna (Philippines))
A packaging technology for cut foliage and potted foliage plants from 1998 to 2001 in their project "Finishing and preconditioning of exportable live foliage plants" was developed. The postharvest life (visual quality) of the cut foliage of Murraya paniculata was extended up to 29 days when the cuttings were wrapped in moist newspaper and stored at 15 deg C and 90% relative humidity (RH). The cut foliage held in moist newspaper under ambient condition had the shortest postharvest life of 14.3 days among the treatments tested. Weight loss among cut foliage held in polyethylene bags without diffusion holes and stored at 15 deg C was reduced. To determine the response and performance of acclimatized potted Dracaena godsefiana intended for foreign markets, the plants underwent simulated refrigerated transport (SRT) and simulated indoor environment (SIE). Based on the output, potted Dracaenas (about two years old) can be effectively stored even for two weeks at 12 deg C with less quality lost. Potted plants stored for 1-2 weeks recovered faster when exposed under 12 deg C. After testing the vaselife of modified-atmosphere packed (MAP) Agleia odorata cut foliage stored at 13 deg C for 5, 10, 15 and 20 days, it was concluded that cut foliage should be cold stored only in MAP for five days to maintain the longest possible vaselife that is comparable to the unstored cut foliage Agleia, cut foliage can be stored for a maximum of 15 days but with decreased vaselife. Homalomena cut foliage should be cold stored for five days in MAP and dark condition to get the longest possible vaselife. The maximum number of days for the cut foliage to be cold stored was ten days; longer storage caused yellowing of 50% of the leaves after removal from the cold room. The trial shipment of Mussaenda cuttings with visible floral buds rooted in floral foam and given the best packaging and conditioning techniques established during the simulated trials at the Postharvest Training and Research Center, UPLB was successful. Visual quality rating (VQR) of the rooted cuttings after receipt of the cuttings by the Japanese importer was about 3 (good). Rooted cuttings exported to Japan should have at least a VQR of 2 (fair) or higher for them to be acceptable
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