Embedded drying of spray Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cultivars.

M. Jangyukala; Laishram Hemanta; Nini R. Kuotsu; M Preema Devi

M. Jangyukala Department of Horticulture, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema, Nagaland.
Laishram Hemanta Department of Horticulture, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema, Nagaland.
Nini R. Kuotsu Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
M Preema Devi Department of Pomology and Post Harvest Technology, UBKV, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India.

Keywords: Cultivars, dry flower, embedding media, sensory evaluation.

Abstract

The experiment entitled “Studies on embedded drying of spray chrysanthemum
(Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cultivars” was conducted to find out suitable desiccant
for embedded drying of spray chrysanthemum cultivars i.e. Atom Joya, Pusa Aditya and
Yellow Star, embedded in five embedding media viz. silica gel (Crystal, Bead and Powder),
sand and saw dust in hot air oven at 40 ºC. The minimum time required for drying was shown
by cv. Yellow Star (14.56 hrs) and also maximum in colour (3.1) and overall acceptability
(2.72). Cv. Pusa Aditya recorded maximum score in colour (3.1), texture (3.16), brittleness
(4.28) and shape (3.0). Among the embedding media, Silica gel (Crystal) took minimum time
(10.62 hrs) to dry. Silica gel (Bead) scored maximum (3.5) for colour. Silica gel (Powder)
scored maximum for texture (4.2), brittleness (4.33), shape (3.9) and overall acceptability
(3.53).