1. There are many steps involved in post-harvest handling of flowers to prepare them for market after harvesting. This includes conditioning, pre-cooling, pulsing, grading, bunching, wrapping, packing, storage and transport. 2. Post-harvest, flowers continue metabolic activities like respiration that can lead to deterioration. Proper post-harvest handling helps deplete carbohydrates more slowly, lowers temperature and respiration rates to slow deterioration. 3. Key factors that affect post-harvest quality include harvesting and storage conditions, use of preservatives in water, and growth regulators to delay senescence. Proper harvesting stage, pre-cooling, controlled atmosphere storage and transportation help maintain quality.

1. 1
Ashish Ghormade

2. Post Harvest Handling
There are a series of steps involved to prepare flowers
for market after harvesting
Harvesting Conditioning Pre-Cooling Pulsing
Grading
Bunching
WrappingPackingStorageTransport
Sales

3. Post harvest handling?
• Flowers remain alive even after harvest
• Continue their metabolic activities causing:
Deterioration
Of harvested
Produce
Need for appropriate post harvest
handling technologies
3Rudnicki, 1990
Depletion of carbohydrates
 Rise in temperature and respiration rates
 Rapid deterioration due to micro-
organisms
 Water stress
 Increased accumulation of ethylene
 Colour change
 Normal maturation and ageing

4. A. Genetic / inherent make up
• Anthurium and Orchid have more vase life than
Rose and Carnation
• Angelique cultivar of Rose had more vase life than
Preyasi
• Chrysanthemum cultivars Kelvin Tattoo, Kelvin
Mandarin, Kelvin Victory, Reagan White and Reagan
Emperor possessed longer vase life
Bhattacharjee and De, 2005
1.Pre- Harvest Factors

5. Light
• Regulate several physiological processes
• Optimum light requirement: 3000-8000 fc
• High light:
Scorching of foliage and flower buds, dropping of leaves
and petal senescence
• Low light:
Blueing/discolouration of petal and Bent Neck in Rose
Stem Bending in Gerbera
B. Growing conditions
Bhattacharjee and De, 2005

6. Factor for colour
change is change
in pH of cell
Breakdown of protein
releases ammonia,
increases pH
Blueing of Petals in Rose
Sheela , 2008 and Paulin, 1971
Control:
• Treatment of cut flowers with solution containing sugar
• Addition of biocide such as HQC

7. Bent neck in roses
• Ability of cells to retain water is lost
• Bent neck was primarily associated with the water balance
of the cut flower
Mayak et al., 1974
• Harvesting of immature buds
• Low light intensity
Control:
• Rehydration of stem
• 200 ppm Cobalt nitrate and 10 % Sucrose in preservative
Singh, 2006

8. • Middle portion
• Major cause is water imbalance
• Due to blockage of bacteria, water uptake is not proper
Singh, 2006
Stem break in Gerbera
Control:
• Pre-treatment with Sodium hypochloride or Silver nitrate
• Handling of stems in such a way that water could enter
into cavity of stem

9. Temperature
Carnation: Day 20°C, Night 10 °C
Rose: Day 20-25°C, Night 16°C
• Low night temp. Low respiration Decreases utilization
of sugars
Increases vase life
• Too low temp. Freezing injury
• Carnation blooms during February-March possess longer vase life
as compare to April- May
• High humidity: fungal and bacterial diseases
• Low humidity: browning of leaf edges, thin leaves
Singh et al., 2013
Humidity

10. I. Time (Morning and Evening)
II. Method:
2. Flower Harvesting factors
Bhattacharjee and De, 2005
•Cut with sharp knife and secateurs to
avoid stem crushing
• Chrysanthemum harvested at least 10
cm above the ground level
• Flowers release latex (Dahlia, Poinsettia)
dip in hot water (80-90°C) for few second

11. • Optimum stage of maturity
• Too immature buds – not open
properly
• Over mature ones – wither quickly
• Vary with species, cultivar, prevailing
temperature conditions, distance to
market and consumer requirement.
III. Stage:

12. Optimal Stage of Harvesting of Cut Flowers
Name Type Stage of harvest
Rose Red and Pink cultivar
Yellow Cultivar
White Cultivar
First two petal beginning to
unfold.
Slight earlier than red and pink.
Slightly later than red and pink.
Chrysanthemum Standard Outer petal fully Elongated
Spray 50 % of flowers show colour
Lilium ,Iris, Freesia Coloured buds
Carnation Standard
Spray
Paint brush stage
At least two flowers fully open
Gerbera Two outer row of disc florets
shedding pollens
Gladiolus 1-5 bud showing color
Rudnicki, 1990

13. 13
Dendrobium
Orchid cv.Suree
white and Suree
peach
S1 = 25 % opened flowers
S2 = 40 % opened flowers
S3 = 50 % opened flowers
S4 = 75 % opened flowers
cv.Suree white no
difference
cv.suree peach
25 % opened
flowers - increased
vase life
Yoode et al.,
2013
Chrysanthemum
cv.Reagen
S1 = ray floret diameter
1-1.5 cm
S2 = buds half open
S3 = ¾ open buds
Maximum floret
longevity with S1
Singh et al.,
2010
Tuberose S1= unopened florets
S2 = one floret opened
S3 = two florets opened
Stem length : 45, 60, 75,
90 cms
90 cm stem length
with one floret
open stage
Varu and Barad,
2010
Stage of harvesting

14. 14
3. Post harvest factors
I. Water relations
II. Conditioning/Hardening
III. Precooling
IV. Floral preservatives
V. Growth regulators
VI. Storage
VII. Grading, Packing and Transport
Bhattacharjee and De, 2005

15. I. Water relations
• Cut stem placed in vase initially
water uptake is high and
decreases with time
• Blockage can be minimized:
Use of biocides
Recut 2-3 cm stem from base
• Adverse water relations :
Bent neck in roses
Stem break in Gerbera

16. 16
• Flowers are kept loosely in big container of water so that air
circulates around stem
• Main purpose is to restore turgidity of cut flowers
II. Conditioning
III. Pre-cooling
• Remove excess field heat either by hydro cooling or
refrigeration
• Time gap between harvest and pre cooling should be as short
as possible
• It brings down the respiration rate
Flower name Pre-cooling Temp.
Rose 1-30C
Chrysanthemum 0.5-4 0C
Carnation 1 0C
Gladiolus 4 0C
Bhattacharjee and De, 2005

17. IV. Floral preservatives
• Chemicals added to water to make flowers last longer
De and Bhattacharjee, 2000
Types of floral preservatives
Pulsing solution Bud Opening solution Holding solution
Pre- shipment or pre-
storage treatment
Short duration (16-24 hr)
Solution, in which
immature buds of many
flowers can be made to
open
Hold flower continuously,
till termination of their
vase life
Sugar is main component
Higher level of sucrose
are used
Lower conc. Of sucrose
are used (2-5 %)
Level of sucrose is low
( 0.5- 1%)
Singh, 2013

18. Constituents of floral preservatives
Water:
• Acidic water with low pH (3.0-3.5) decreases microbial
growth
Sugar:
• Act as additional food source and also improves water
balance
• Sugar promote microbial growth, so it is usually
combined with biocide before use
Singh et al., 2013

19. Biocide:
• Chemical compound
• Used to inhibit microbial growth in vase water as well
as on cut stem
• Eg. 8-HQC, Silver nitrate, Aluminum sulphate, citric
acid, slow release chlorine compound
8-HQC AgNo3 Al2(SO4)3 Citric acid
Acidifies water Very low mobility Reduces pH Acidifying agent
Induce partial
closure of
stomata
Ag is heavy metal Partial closure of
stomata
Prevent blockage
of Xylem vessel
200-600ppm 25 ppm 100-300 ppm 50-100 ppm

20. V. Role of Growth regulators
Auxin
Gibberellins helps in
Delaying senescence
 Promoting the opening of
immature buds in gladiolus
 Outer bracts of Gladiolus
regulate production of
alpha-amylase
Rao, 1982

21. 21
Effect of Gibberellic Acid on vase life and
oxidative activities in senescing cut
Gladiolus flowers
Saeed et al. , 2013
GA3 levels
(mg/l)
Days to open
floret
Florets opened
(%)
Vase life
(Days)
0 1.58c 86c 7.67c
25 2.28a 100a 11.83a
50 2.00b 99a 10.33b
100 1.90b 97b 9.33b
200 1.60c 87c 8.67c

22. 22
Effect of various levels of GA3 on SOD activity in gladiolus cut
flowers during 10 days vase life

23. Cytokinins:
• Play important role in delaying senescence
• Level of cytokinins decreases with ageing
• BAP in holding solution delay senescence of Tuberose
• Dip treatment of BA increases vase life of Anthurium
Singh et al., 2013

24. 1. Sleepiness of Petals in Carnation
• Carnation petals cup upwards and do not
open
• Due to ethylene gas emitted by fruits and
vegetables
• Control: Avoid mixing of flowers with
vegetables and fruits during storage and transit
Singh, 2006
2. Epinasty in Poinsettia
• Poinsettias left in the sleeve become
droopy
Control:
• Unpack and unsleeve packed poinsettia
immediately
Effects of Ethylene

25. Fisun, 2001
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#

26. Effect of certain chemicals & their combinations on the postharvest physiology
of cut rose(Rosa hybrida L.) petals during vase life period
Treatments Flower diameter Vase life (Days)
T1 (SHC 20ppm+Sucrose3%) 7.33 12.93
T2(AA 150ppm+Sucrose3%) 5.97 9.40
T3(Calcium nitrate 250ppm+Sucrose3%) 4.47 7.87
T4(SHC 20ppm+AA 150ppm) 5.07 9.07
T5(SHC 20ppm+Calcium nitrate 250ppm) 7.13 12.33
T6(AA 150ppm 20ppm+Calcium nitrate 250ppm) 6.40 11.27
T7(SHC 20ppm+AA 150ppm+Calcium nitrate 250ppm) 6.17 12.53
T8(SHC 20ppm+AA 150ppm+Sucrose3%) 6.77 12.33
T9(SHC 20ppm+Calcium nitrate 250ppm+Sucrose3%) 5.83 8.87
T10(AA 150ppm 20ppm+Calcium nitrate
250ppm+Sucrose3%)
5.57 8.20
T11(SHC 20ppm+AA 150ppm 20ppm+Calcium nitrate
250ppm+Sucrose3%)
4.87 7.13
Control 4.40 8.53
C.D. 5 % 0.69 1.22
Bhaskar et al., 2008

27. Study on the lifespan and quality of cut Lilium santander through
the use of thyme and peppermint essential oil
Pirpour et al., 2013

28. • Mostly used in cut flowers
• In wet storage the stems are
stored with their basal portion
dipping in water or preservative
solution
• Temp. is 2-4°C
• Hold the flower for short
duration
Simple refrigerated storage
VI. Storage methods
Singh et al., 2013

29. • Sealing of flowers in plastic bags leads to reduction in
O2 and increase in CO2 levels due to respiration of
tissue
• 5-7 % CO2 and 1 to 2 % O2
• Dry storage can be used to hold the flowers for longer
duration
Modified atmospheric storage

30. • CO2 and O2 level is controlled
• Has a storage chamber where air is continuously
circulated and is also released
• Low temp.is maintained and RH kept high
• Major limitation of CA storage of flowers:
Optimum levels of CO2 and O2 required for storage vary
for different flowers and hence, different flowers cannot
be stored at the same time in the same chamber
Controlled atmosphere storage

31. • Storage at low atmosphere
pressure i.e. 40-60mm Hg
under continuous ventilation
and high relative humidity
(90-95%)
• Major disadvantage
High cost of installation
Hypobaric storage

32. Storage Crop Storage temperature
Dry storage Carnation 0 to 1°C
Chrysanthemum 1°C
Gerbera 2°C
Gladiolus 4 °C
Rose 0.5 to 2 °C
Wet storage Anthurium 13°C
Carnation 4°C
Chrysanthemum 4°C
Gerbera 4°C
Rose 2 to 5 °C
Gladiolus 4°C
Singh et al., 2013

33. VII. Grading, Packing and Transport
Grading: categorization of flowers on the basis of their quality
Major quality parameters-
 Appearance
Strength as well as length of stem
Harvest maturity
Injuries due to insect and pests
Color and size of buds
Polythene films LDPE films CFB Aluminium foil
Packing materials used
Poly propylene (60 micron) - cold stored upto 10 days in Gladiolus
Singh et al., 2007

34. Bunches of 5, 10, 12 or 20 stems and loosely tied
with rubber band.
Gerbera, Anthurium, Orchids and standard
chrysanthemum are packed individually
Over packing and under packing both contribute to
excessive damage
Gladioli and snapdragon : transported vertically
Flower packing

35. •Senescence: Latin word
•‘Senex’ - ‘old’,
•‘Senescere’ - ‘to grow old.’
• Final phase in the ontogeny of the organ
• A series of irreversible events is initiated that leads
to cellular breakdown and death of organ
Flower senescence
Sacher, 1973

36. TYPES OF SENESCENCE
Overall
senescence
Progressive
senescence
Top senescence Deciduous
senescence
Most of the annual The oldest leaves
senesce and die
first
Bulbous plants Salix babylonica
Leopold, 1960

37. Aging of cells and flower senescence
 Petal senescence occurs due to programming of cells
leading to death i.e. Programmed Cell Death
 Controlled by multiple genes
 PCD occur in plants:
-Developmental process
-Pathogen (biotic stress) induced
-Abiotic stress induced
Rogers, 2006 & Van Doorn and Woltering, 2008

38. Patterns of flower senescence
Ethylene-dependent
• Endogenously produced ethylene
regulates flower senescence
• Exogenous ethylene accelerates
senescence in these flowers
eg. Carnation, Orchids, Petunia etc
Woltering and van Doorn, 1988
Ethylene-independent
• Produce little ethylene during
senescence
• Exogenous ethylene does not
accelerate flower senescence
eg. Gladiolus, Chrysanthemum etc

39. Ethylene Signalling In Petal Senescence
(Carnation)
Have and Woltering, 1997

40. Studies on ACC production by the flowers of
Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus L.)
Flower part Stage of development Mean
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Petals 4.09 6.18 23.53 18.89 34.38 27.05 49.65 22.53 25.97 23.59
Stigma &
Style
9.36 7.82 13.15 10.90 30.97 28.47 45.24 31.77 32.28 23.33
Ovary 2.53 4.12 4.59 3.52 45.02 22.49 22.61 16.88 19.20 15.66
Receptacle 7.98 6.76 10.64 7.05 44.26 29.01 47.72 30.49 32.17 24.01
Staminal
Sheath
6.03 3.24 6.30 4.94 25.60 38.73 57.74 34.62 46.29 24.83
Mean 6.00 5.62 11.64 9.06 36.05 29.15 44.59 27.25 31.18
Singh, 2000

41. Studies on Ethylene production by the flowers of
Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus L.)
Flower part Stage of development Mean
2 3 4 5 6
Petals 1.91 17.70 28.85 23.18 14.61 17.25
Stigma & Style 407.68 525.7 632.21 366.27 512.0 488.79
Ovary 7.71 15.48 30.41 14.55 15.41 16.71
Receptacle 19.16 31.91 80.44 33.01 31.75 39.25
Staminal Sheath 72.77 237.5 568.3 190.8 144.8 242.87
Mean 101.85 165.6 268.0 125.5 143.7
Singh, 2000

42. Changes associated with flower senescence
Major pigments
contributing to colour of
flowers:
- carotenoids
- anthocyanins
In roses, increase in anthocyanin levels, orange
yellow var. ‘Masquerade’ first turned into pink,
then deep red.
Sisha and Tanako, 1964

43. • Changes in petal color of Hibiscus mutabilis from
white to light pink then dark pink
• Cause: Changes in vacular pH
Kuijper, 1931

44. Physiological changes during Petal Senescence
• Rate of respiration
Bhattacharjee and Pal, 1999
• Loss of turgidity
Kramer and Boyer, 1983
• Ethylene production increase
Halevy, 1986
• Ethylene treatment results 10 fold increase in petal ACC Synthase
activity
More et al., 1985
• Yellowing of leaves, wilting
• Loss of dry matter
Flower dev. And
Petal expansion
Senescence, after
full expansion

45. • Increased in production of ROS
• Increased in respiration and hydrolysis of cell
component
• Decreased protein content and more activity of
protease enzyme
• Loss of membrane permeability leakage of
pigments, sugars and minerals ions
• Decreased in Total phenols in petals
Tan and Hew, 1973
Biochemical changes

46. Genetic engineering for long vase life
Ethylene is synthesized from the petals after full opening of the flower during
senescence Reid and Wu, 1992, Woodson et al.,1992
Long vase life
Senescence
inhibition
Inhibit
ethylene
biosynthesis
Block
ethylene
action
Adams and Yang, 1979
aACS aACO

47. Strategies for long vase life
1. Antisense ACS and antisense ACO technology
2. Over expression of ACC deaminase
(metabolises ACC before it converts to
ethylene)
3. Over expression SAM hydrolase which
converts ACC in other metabolite
4. Expression of gene for isopentenyl transferase
(ipt) giving increased level of cytokinin
Antisense RNA technology
Unstable duplex
No translation

48. Antisense ACC synthase (aBoACS1)
Antisense ACC oxidase (aBoACO1)
Delayed senescence of Petunia flower transformed
with antisense ACC synthase and oxidase genes
Antisense BoACO1 gene is more efficient than antisense BoACS1
gene to reduce ethylene
Ethylene
production
declines
Huang et al., 2007

49. Ethylene production by control and transgenic lines
Transgenic line
Exogenous
Ethylene
Induce ACS and ACO
Savin et al., 1995

50. • Ipt gene increased level of cytokinin
• Transgenic carnations showed long vase life of 16 days in
water. This is double the life of non-GM varieties
Kosugi et al., 2002
Extended vase life of transgenic carnations using
ipt gene

51. Conclusion
Training for flower packing and transportation
Establishing cold storage after harvesting
Flower senescence necessary evil
Can not be completely checked
Can be delayed or partially controlled by using of
Anti-ethylene compound and several package
practices
Genetically modification in plant reduce ethylene
perception or biosynthesis shows delay in
senescence