Value Addition of Cut Flowers of Garland Chrysanthemum (Glebionis Coronaria) by Tinting With Artificial Food Dyes

Abstract

–Value addition is a method of increasing the economic value of a product. Different value addition techniques are used in horticultural products to increase its economic value, especially in floricultural products. Tinting is one of the value addition techniques used in cut flowers to increase the economic and aesthetic value of simple white and light coloured flowers with food colouring dyes in different novel colour shades. The study “Value addition of cut flowers of garland chrysanthemum (Glebionis coronaria) by tinting with artificial food dyes” was conducted in laboratory of Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam during February 2022, with seven treatments. The observations like Time taken for tinting, Solution uptake, Colour intensity, Aesthetic appeal and vase life were recorded. Colour intensity of the tinted flower colour was compared using the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart. Chocolate food colour dye took the earliest time for full tinting (2.43 hr) and Raspberry red took the longest time for full tinting (3.10 hr). The most aesthetically appealing colours were observed on flowers tinted with Lemon yellow, Apple green and Raspberry red. Longest vase life was observed in control (7.6 days) followed by Lemon yellow (4.3 days). Chocolate and Green observed the lowest vase life (2 days). Cut flowers dyed with Lemon yellow recorded the best vase life among the different food dyes.