Assessment of different packaging materials for enhancing shelf life of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Calcutta Gainda

Abstract

\The present investigation, entitled “Assessment of different packaging materials for enhancing shelf life of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Calcutta Gainda” was conducted at the Research Laboratory at K.D. College of Horticulture and Research Station, Jagdalpur (C.G.) during the summer season of the year 2024-25. The experiment was designed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications, comprising nine treatments. The treatments were as follows: T0-(Control), T1-polyethylene 200 gauge, white transparent, T2-newspaper, T3-card board boxes, T4-gunny bag, T5-polyethylene (400 gauge) white transparent, T6-onion mesh bag, T7-thermacol, T8-bamboo basket.The results showed that the combination of polyethylene (400 gauge), white transparent packaging material was the most effective in significantly enhancing and extending flower quality At 1st 2nd and 3rd days. This treatment resulted in the minimum physiological loss in weight (6.17%), (10.45%) and (14.46%) spoilage percentage (0.00%), (1.06%) and (3.94%) as well as maximum freshness index (5.00), (4.90) and (4.87) relative water content (76.23%) (72.35%) and (64.20%) shelf life (5.30 day) as well as minimum browning percentage at 1st 2nd and 3rd days (0.00%) (5.74%) and (10.52%) maximum fresh flower percentage (100.00%), (93.20%) and (85.54%) also moisture content (85.54%), (77.24%) and (75.56%) and change in fresh weight after storage (27.22 g) overall vase life when compared to other treatments.