Cut Flower Industry : Post Harvest Technology and Management
Contents: Preface. 1. Preamble. 2. Basic requirements for cut flowers. 3. Keeping quality. 4. Variability and breeding for longevity. 5. Pre harvest conditions. 6. Senescence of cut flowers. 7. Changes during senescence. 8. Flower bud and petal abscission. 9. Growth regulators. 10. Colour fading and discolouration. 11. Water relations. 12. Ethylene and flower longevity. 13. Inhibitors. 14. Chemical treatment to enhance flower longevity. 15. Promoting keeping quality. 16. Ingredients of chemical solutions. 17. Other pre treatments. 18. Special problems. 19. Safe storage of cut flowers. 20. Problems associated with storage. 21. Factors affecting storage life. 22. Storage methods. 23. Harvesting, grading and packaging. 24. Global trends. 25. Export potential. 26. Transport. References. Subject index.
"Flower symbolic beauty, purity, peace and love. They are intricately associated with social beliefs and no social function is complete without the use of flowers. The annual growth potential of floriculture is 25-30% which is many times more than that of cereals. At the same time, competition is also increasing worldwide. Indian floriculture has recently witnessed commendable changes which have transformed it from a hobbyist activity, to a commercial enterprise. Flowers now merit attention for their economic gain as much as for their aesthetic value. Opening up of the world market in the WTO regime is paying way to free movement of floricultural products world wide, globalization and its effect on income generation have all contributed to increase in per capita consumption of flowers in most countries. Cut flower occupy a unique position in the floriculture industry.
With special care, fresh flowers can be enjoyed for the longest possible time. The basic needs of fresh cut flowers and foliages are high quality water sugar for food, healthy environment and sanitation. This book explores the post harvest technology and management of cut flower industry in its comprehensive nature, so that innovations made so far can used judiciously for this sector. The book lays special attention to basic requirements for cut flowers, keeping quality, breeding for longevity, senescence and abscission, use of growth regulators and inhibitors besides chemical treatments to enhance longevity of cut flowers, storage method, harvesting, grading, packing, transport and marketing, etc. have been dealt in detail to enable growers to competitively exploit global market." (jacket)
