Impact of different drying methods and desiccants on storage quality of annual chrysanthemum and gerbera

Abstract

The present experiment entitled, “Impact of different drying methods and desiccants on storage quality of annual chrysanthemum and gerbera” was carried out at the laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, JAU, Junagadh during the year 2019-2020 to know the impact of different drying methods and desiccants on storage quality of annual chrysanthemum and gerbera. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with factorial concept and two factors i.e. drying methods viz. sun drying and shade drying and desiccants viz. river sand (red), river sand (black), sea sand, silica gel, borax powder and replicated thrice. Flowers were dried properly as per treatments and observations were recorded. In case of storage parameters, shade dried flowers with sea sand resulted in acceptable flower colour with less mechanical damage. Along with that another treatment combination shade drying with borax powder resulted in less mechanical damage to flowers. However, acceptable shape with less attack of pest and disease noticed in sun drying with silica gel. It can be concluded from the present investigation that shade drying with sea sand produced quality dry flowers of annual chrysanthemum and gerbera during storage.