Discussion on post harvest packaging, preservation

Discussion on post harvest packaging, preservation, storage and transportation technology of flowers (5)

6. Preservation during storage and transportation of potted plants

at present, trucks and ships are mainly used for short-distance transportation of ornamental plants. Sea transportation or truck transportation is more economical than air transportation, but it takes longer time. The problem of longer-term transportation is the same as that of long-term storage. If the leaves and flowers fade and fall off, and the flower buds cannot open, the disease will develop and spread rapidly

maintaining the quality of potted plants is closely related to the planting conditions and transportation process. Among the planting factors, the most important is illumination and fertilization. When planting, potted plants are exposed to high levels of photosynthetic intensity (PAR). During transportation and sale, medical materials are bound to develop in a safer and environmentally friendly direction, with a lower par, usually lower than the light compensation point. For foliage plants, low light intensity leads to chlorosis and abscission of leaves, while reducing the content of carbohydrates and chlorophyll. At low light intensity, if the temperature is appropriate, the damage can be partially avoided

for long-distance sales, plants need to be of very good quality and have a root system free of pests. Plants should be watered the day before transportation, and the relative humidity of the refrigeration room should be kept higher than 90% to prevent plant degradation

when potted plants are transported in a controllable environment, the temperature should be stable, and the air circulation and ventilation should be maintained. They are packed in boxes and transported on open trucks. This method is also commonly used to transport larger potted plants. Some plants are highly resistant to physical damage and can be transported horizontally or in crates. A relatively new method is bare root transportation. Due to the removal of transportation media and containers, the transportation cost is greatly reduced, which can be reduced by more than 50%. Brooks has launched a new Brooks levitate product. The transportation space and weight are driven by the thinness of the above electrical appliances. This transportation method is also used for plants produced by hydroponics to meet the health requirements formulated by some countries and prevent the transmission of soil borne pathogens

before long-term transportation, the harm of ethylene can be reduced by treating plants with ethylene activity inhibitors (STS). For some plants, NAA treatment can also reduce the abscission of various plant organs, playing a synergistic effect of NAA and STS. Fully open flowers are more sensitive to ethylene than flowers in the bud stage. Therefore, the transportation of potted plants watching flowers in the bud stage is very important

in the international market, potted plants are popular and often sold far away from the origin, so they need to be transported. For some potted plants that watch flowers, storage can delay flowering to meet the needs of special festivals (such as lilies)

7. Problems in storage and transportation

in the process of storage and transportation, the life activities and aging of flowers have not stopped, resulting in some changes in the process of storage and transportation. The transportation methods of fresh horticultural plants include railway, truck, aircraft, shipping and several common transportation methods. When shipping, several products are often transported together, but this phenomenon should be avoided as far as possible. During transportation, try to keep the plants in a cold environment and keep the temperature stable, so that the plants will always be in a "cold chain" environment after harvest. At the same time, attention should be paid to maintaining air circulation and ventilation. Larger potted plants are often transported by open trucks. At present, the latest transportation method is bare root transportation. Because the transportation medium and container are removed, the transportation cost is greatly reduced, and the transportation space and weight can be reduced by more than 50%. This transportation method is also used for plants produced by hydroponics to meet the health requirements specified by some countries and prevent the transmission of soil borne pathogens

ethylene produced during storage and transportation will also induce the abscission of flower buds and leaves, and increase flower deformity. The harm of ethylene depends on its concentration, exposure period and temperature. The drop of transportation temperature (above the freezing injury point) can reduce the shedding of leaves and flowers. Therefore, the harm of ethylene can be reduced by treating plants with ethylene activity inhibitors (STS or 1-MCP) before long-term transportation. For some plants, NAA treatment can also reduce the shedding of various plant organs. Fully open flowers are more sensitive to ethylene than flowers in the bud stage. Therefore, the transportation of potted plants watching flowers in the bud stage is very important. Only when the products are near the optimal storage temperature, they can be put together, and their adverse interactions should be prevented, such as the release of ethylene, odor and different requirements for relative humidity during storage. The most economical and optimal transportation method should be considered during transportation. For long-term transportation, the main problems encountered are: fading and falling of leaves and flowers, inability of flower buds to open, ground bending, rapid development and spread of diseases, etc

(to be continued)