The Effects of Pulsing Solution on the Shelf Life of Nerium Flowers (Nerium oleander L. Cv. Pink)

Abstract

The present study determines the effects of pulsing solution on the shelf life of Nerium flowers (Nerium oleander L. Cv. Pink). The floriculture industry in India is characterised by the growing of ornamentals, loose and cut flowers under open and protected environmental conditions. The offering and exchange of flowers on all social occasions, in places of worship and their use for the adornment of hair by women and home decoration have become an integral part of human living. Nerium oleander L. belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is an evergreen shrub. It is indigenous to the Mediterranean region and Northern Africa. Due to its long-lasting and prolific flowering habit, as well as its resistance to heat, salinity, and drought, globally it is well acclaimed as an ornamental plant. In order to determine the lifespan of the floral characteristics—freshness, colour fading, physiological loss of weight, and shelf life, the post-harvest experiment was carried out in this study to extend the shelf life of Nerium flowers using several pulse solutions, namely boric acid, citric acid and sucrose. This experiment revealed a positive effect when flowers were treated with boric acid 4% (T4) and when treated with 4% sucrose (T6), which improves the shelf life of the flower under refrigerated conditions with polybag 1% ventilation. Appropriate packaging and storage of flowers, combined with pulsing, are helpful to ensure the fresh quality of flowers for consumers and also offer the potential advantage of extending shelf life.