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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Optimisation of postharvest treatments for enhancing shelf life and quality of Ixora genotypes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.15449
Submitted
7 May 2026
Published
04-08-2026

Abstract

This study aimed to optimise postharvest management practices for improving the shelf life and quality of Ixora flowers under ambient and refrigerated storage conditions. Three commercial semi-tall Ixora genotypes, namely yellow, white and red semi-tall types, were evaluated during 2023–24. Flower cymes were subjected to six postharvest treatments involving boric acid (2 % and 4 %) under ambient and refrigerated storage (5 °C). Visual quality traits, including freshness index (FI), flower opening index (FOI), colour retention index (CRI) and shelf life, along with physiological parameters such as moisture content, relative water content (RWC) and physiological weight loss (PWL), were assessed on the 3rd, 6th and 9th days of storage. Red semi-tall (G3) recorded higher FI, CRI, moisture content, RWC and lower PWL compared with the other genotypes. Among the treatments, T4 (2 % boric acid + refrigeration at 5 °C) recorded the highest FI, CRI, moisture content, RWC and shelf life. The G3T4 combination recorded the longest shelf life (230.40 hr) while maintaining favourable visual and physiological quality attributes. The enhanced postharvest performance observed under T4 may be attributed to improved membrane stability, reduced transpiration, better water retention and delayed senescence. The findings indicate that the combined application of 2 % boric acid and refrigerated storage at 5 °C is an effective approach for maintaining postharvest quality and extending the shelf life of Ixora flowers under commercial storage conditions.

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