Effect of packaging films for modified atmosphere storage at low temperature on petal senescence in gladiolus cut spikes

The effect of different types of packaging films for modified atmosphere storage at low temperature (6–10°C) on the factors influencing petal senescence and vase life of gladiolus cut spikes, cv. ‘Peter Pears' was investigated. Among different packaging films (cellophane, polypropylene, coated paper, brown paper, news-paper and butter paper), polypropylene (60 μ) and coated paper packaging proved promising in augmenting the post harvest longevity of stored gladiolus cut spikes. The unpackaged low temperature stored cut spikes exhibited destabilized membrane integrity and decreased vase life. The antioxidant activities of Super oxide dlsmutase (SOD) and Glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes were recorded significantly higher in the petals of the polypropylene and coated paper packaged cut spikes as compared to other packaging films and unpackaged cut spikes (control). Polypropylene and coated paper packaging of the cut spikes, further decreased the activity of lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme and the peroxidation of lipids (TBARS) in the petals as compared to other packaging films and unpackaged cut spikes (control). Polypropylene packaged cut spikes exhibited higher membrane stability of the petal tissue of the cut spikes, which delayed the petal senescence and extended the vase life of the gladiolus cut spikes. Thus, polypropylene (60 μ) is an effective packaging film for modified atmosphere (MA) storage at low temperature (6–10°) for storage of gladiolus cut spikes up to 10 days.