J. Hort. Sci. 
Vol. 1 (1): 48-51, 2006 

Effect of drying conditions and embedding materials on post-harvest quantitative 
parameters in China aster (Callistephus chinensis) flowers 

M. A. Meman, A. V. Barad and L. J. Raval 
Department of Horticulture 

College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University 
Junagadh, Gujarath, India 

E-mail: asi07@rediffmail.com 

ABSTRACT 

The study was undertaken to optimize conditions for dry flower production in China aster flowers. The 
experiment was conducted with eight treatment combinations consisting of two drying conditions viz., room 
drying (Ĉ ) and sun drying (Ĉ ) and four media viz. Sand (M,), Sand:Borax (1:1) (M )̂, Borax (M,) and Silicagel 
(M )̂ with factorial concept in completely randomized design. Per cent weight loss and moisture loss were 
signiflcantly higher under sun drying and silicagel during the entire process of drying from first day to fourth 
day. Moisture content was higher under room drying and borax from flrst day to fourth day. 

Key words: China aster, drying conditions, embedding media 

INTRODUCTION 

China aster, Callistephus chinensis is highly 
popular among the garden annuals cultivated throughout 
the world. Long cut asters are used in vase and floral 
decoration, but its potential in dry decoration has not been 
exploited widely. Dry flowers are gaining popularity 
amongst floriculturists and buyers as it is an inexpensive, 
everlasting and ecofriendly product. Therefore, a study was 
undertaken to standardize the technology for dry flower 
production in China aster. 

MATERIAL AND METHODS 

The experiment was conducted at the Department 
of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Junagadh 
Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), during the year 
2005-2006. Junagadh is situated at an altitude of 60 m above 
the MSL 21.5 "N latitude and 70.5 °E longitude. In this 
study, eight treatment combinations, consisting of two 
drying conditions viz. room drying (Cj) and sun drying (C )̂ 
and four media viz. Sand (Mj), Sand:Borax (1:1) (M^), 
Borax (M3) and Silicagel (M^), were evaluated in factorial 
completely randomized design with three replications. 
Observations were recorded daily for five days during 
drying process. Plastic trays of 60 cm x 45 cm x 7.5 cm 
size were used as container in which embedding material 
was filled. The data were statistically analysed as described 
by Panse and Sukhatme (1978). 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Weight loss and moisture loss 

Per cent weight and moisture loss were significantly 
higher under sun drying than room drying from first day to 
fourth day of drying (Tables 1 and 3) while on fifth day, the 
effect was non significant. Both temperature and wind 
velocity were higher under sun drying than under room 
drying. At higher temperature, rate of moisture loss or 
liberation of moisture from flower tissues (transpiration) 
was more due to higher transfer of heat by conduction and 
convection. Brandenberg et al (1961) and Alka Singh et al 
(2003) also observed similar effect in case of seed and 
Zinnia flower drying, respectively. 

Further, it was found that drying media had 
significant effect on per cent weight loss and moisture loss 
(Tables 1 and 3). Maximum per cent weight and moisture 
loss was recorded in silicagel and minimum in borax up to 
fourth day. Silicagel has a great capacity to absorb moisture 
up to 30-50 % of its own weight (Maureen, 1988 and 
Brandenberg et al, 1961). 

hiteraction effect of drying conditions and media on 
per cent weight and moisture loss were found significant 
(Tables 2 and 4). Sun drying and silicagel produced maximum 
weight loss up to fourth day and on fifth day it was found 
non significant while moisture loss was higher up to third 
day and on fourth and fifth day it was found non significant. 

mailto:asi07@rediffmail.com


Meman et al 

Table 1. Effect of drying on per cent weight loss in the flowers of 
China aster 

Treatment Per cent weight loss 

1" day 2"'^ day 3"" day 4'" day S"" day 

(I) Condition (C) 

C, 

S.Em. ± 
C D . at 5 % 
(II) Media (M) 
M, 

M, 

M3 

S.Em.± 
C D . at 5 % 

36.60 
(37.23) 
47.19 

(43.39) 
0.10 
0.31 

42.66 
(40.66) 
41.80 

(40.28) 
32.18 

(34.56) 
51.15 

(45.66) 
0.14 
0.44 

43.42 
(41.22) 
49.22 

(44.55) 
0.11 
0.33 

50.93 
(45.53) 
43.99 

(41.55) 
35.99 

(36.86) 
54.39 

(47.52) 
0.15 
0.46 

62.50 
(52.24) 
64.94 

(53.69) 
0.17 
0.52 

65.27 
(53.89) 
62.97 

(52.52) 
60.27 

(50.92) 
66.37 

(54.56) 
0.24 
0.73 

65.13 
(53.81) 
66.43 

(54.59) 
0.10 
0.31 

66.01 
(54.34) 
65.29 

(53.90) 
64.98 

(53.72) 
66.84 

(54.84) 
0.14 
0.43 

67.50 
(55.25) 
67.91 

(55.49) 
0.13 
NS 

66.66 
(54.73) 
65.66 

(54.12) 
71.08 

(57.47) 
67.42 

(55.20) 
0.19 
0.57 

Table 3. Effect of drying on 
of China aster 

Treatment 

P' day 

per cent moisture loss in the flowers 

Per cent moisture loss 
2nd (Jay 3rd day 4,1, day 5'" day 

(I) Condition (C) 
C, 

S.Em.± 
C D . at 5 % 
(II) Media (M) 
M, 

M, 

M 3 

S.Em.i 
C D . at 5 % 

17.96 
(25.07) 
27.38 

(31.55) 
0.13 
0.39 

23.82 
(29.22) 
23.06 

(28.70) 
12.38 

(20.60) 
31.41 

(34.09) 

0.18 
0.55 

24.14 
(29.43) 
29.30 

(32.77) 
0.15 
0.45 

31.59 
(34.19) 
24.88 

(29.92) 
14.67 

(22.52) 
35.75 

(36.72) 

0.21 
0.64 

49.63 
(44.79) 
54.14 

(47.38) 
0.27 
0.81 

57.00 
(49.03) 
51.74 

(46.00) 
39.58 

(38.98) 
59.23 

(50.32) 

0.38 
1.14 

55.17 
(47.97) 
57.21 

(49.15) 
0.28 
0.83 

58.91 
(50.13) 
56.94 

(48.99) 
48.44 

(44.11) 
60.46 

(51.04) 
0.39 
1.18 

61.41 
(51.60) 
60.97 

(51.34) 
0.33 
NS 

60.62 
(51.13) 
57.87 

(49.53) 
64.24 

(53.27) 
62.03 

(51.96) 

0.47 
1.43 

(III) Interaction 
(CXM) 
S.Em+ 
C D . at 5 % 
CV% 

0.20 
0.62 
0.88 

0.22 
0.66 
0.88 

0.34 
1.03 
1.12 

0.20 
0.61 
0.65 

0.27 
NS 

0.83 

(III) Interaction 
(CXM) 
S.Em.i 
C D . at 5 % 
C V % 

0.25 
0.77 
1.58 

0.30 
0.91 
1.69 

0.53 
1.61 
2.00 

0.55 
NS 
1.97 

0.67 
NS 
1.43 

Figures in parentheses are arcsine transformed values Figures in parentheses are arcsine transformed values 

Table 2. Interaction effect of different drying conditions (C) and media (M) on per cent weight loss in the flowers of China 
aster 

Treatment Per cent weight loss 
P' day 2"' day 3"' day 4'" day 5'" day 

C,M, 

C,M, 

C.M, 

C,M, 

C,M, 

C^M, 

C2M3 

C,M, 

32.95 
(35.03) 
32.52 

(34.77) 

31.67 
(34.25) 

49.27 
(44.58) 
51.97 

(46.13) 

51.09 
(45.62) 
32.69 

(34.87) 
53.04 

(46.74) 

48.52 
(44.15) 
35.93 

(36.83) 

34.99 
(36.27) 

54.26 
(47.44) 

53.32 
(46.90) 

52.05 
(46.17) 
36.98 

(37.46) 
54.52 

(47.59) 

64.26 
(53.29) 
60.81 

(51.24) 

60.04 
(50.79) 
64.89 

(53.66) 
66.27 

(54.49) 
65.22 

(53.80) 
60.49 

(51.06) 
67.86 

(55.46) 

65.19 
(53.84) 
65.04 

(53.76) 

64.76 
(53.58) 

65.53,, 
(54.05) 

66.83 
(54.84) 

65.53 
(54.05) 
65.21 

(53.85) 
68.15 

(55.65) 

66.42 
(54.59) 
65.37 

(53.95) 

71.53 
(57.75) 

66.69 
(54.75) 

66.90 
(54.88) 
65.94 

(54.30) 
70.64 

(57.19) 
68.15 

(55.65) 

CxM 
S.Em 

CD at 5% 
C V % 

0.20 
0.62 

0.88 

0.22 

0.66 
0.88 

0.34 

1.03 
1.12 

0.20 
0.61 
0.65 

0.27 
NS 

0.83 

Figures in parentheses are arcsine transformed values 

J. Hon. Sci. 
Vol. 1 (1): 48-51, 2006 

49 



Effect of drying conditions and embedding 

Table 4. Interaction effect of different drying conditions (C) and media (M) on percent moisture loss in tlie flowers of 
China aster 

Treatment Per cent moisture loss 

P'day 2"'' day 3"* day 4"* day 5'" day 
C,M, 

C.M, 

C.M, 

C,M, 

C,M, 

C2M2 

C2M3 

C2M, 

14.94 
(22.73) 
14.65 

(22.51) 
12.15 

(20.40) 
30.08 

(33.26) 
32.71 

(34.89) 
31.47 

(34.12) 
12.60 

(20.79) 
32.74 

(34.90) 

28.65 
(32.36) 
17.06 

(24.39) 
14.11 

(22.06) 
36.74 

(37.31) 
34.52 

(35.99) 
32.70 

(34.88) 
15.23 

(22.97) 
34.76 

(36.12) 

54.66 
(47.67) 
47.22 

(43.41) 
39.40 

(38.88) 
57.26 

(49.17) 
59.35 

(50.39) 
56.27 

(48.60) 
39.75 

(39.09) 
61.20 

(51.47) 

56.95 
(49.00) 
56.59 

(48.79) 
48.25 

(43.99) 
58.89 

(50.12) 
60.87 

(51.28) 
57.29 

(49.19) 
48.66 

(44.23) 
62.04 

(51.97) 

60.18 
(50.87) 
57.39 

(49.25) 
66.05 

(54.36) 
62.02 

(51.96) 
61.06 

(51.39) 
58.34 

(49.80) 
62.43 

(52.20) 
62.04 

(51.97) 
CxM 
S.Em 
CD at 5% 
C V % 

0.25 
0.77 
1.58 

0.30 
0.91 
1.69 

0.53 
1.61 
2.00 

0.55 
NS 
1.97 

0.67 
NS 
1.43 

Figures in parentheses are arcsine transformed values 

Table 5. Effect of drying on per cent moisture content in the flowers 
of China aster (Callistephus chinensis) 

Per cent moisture content 
Treatment P'day 2"'' day 3"*day 4"'day 5"'day 
(I) Condition (C) 
C, 

S.Em.± 
C D . at 5 % 
(II) Media (M) 
M, 

M, 

M, 

M, 

S.Em.+ 
C D . at 5 ' 

52.55 
(46.46) 
43.80 

(41.44) 
0.14 
0.43 

45.86 
(42.63) 

46.67 
(43.09) 

61.54 
(51.67) 

38.61 
(38.42) 

0.20 
0.61 

46.36 
(42.91) 
41.87 

(40.32) 
0.17 
0.52 

38.11 
(38.12) 

44.85 
(42.04) 

59.25 
(50.33) 

34.27 
(35.83) 

0.24 
0.73 

20.84 
(27.16) 
17.03 

(24.38) 
0.32 
0.97 

12.67 
(20.87) 

17.96 
(25.08) 

34.33 
(35.87) 

10.77 
(19.16) 

0.46 
1.38 

15.29 
(23.02) 
13.96 

(21.94) 
0.40 
1.20 

10.7 
(19.15) 

8.99 
(17.44) 
10.20 

(18.63) 
0.58 
NS 

69.04 
(17.50) 

12.78 11.85 
(20.95) (20.15) 

25.40 9.51 
(30.27) (17.96) 

9.55 7.99 
(18.00) (16.42) 

0.56 
1.69 

0.81 
2.46 

(III) Interaction 
(CXM) 
S.Em.± 
C D . at 5 % 
C V % 

0.28 
0.86 
1.12 

0.34 
1.03 
1.42 

0.64 
1.95 
4.43 

0.79 
NS 

6.21 

1.15 
NS 

11.10 
Figures in parentheses are arcsine transformed values 

Moisture content 

Drying conditions showed a significant influence 
on per cent moisture content in the flower during entire 
process (Table 5) from first to fourth day while on fifth day 
it was found non significant. From first to fourth day, 
moisture content was higher in room dried flowers as 
compared to sun dried flowers. Under sun drying condition, 
moisture loss from flowers was higher due to increase in 
temperature during the day time as compared to room 
drying. This result is in conformity with the findings of 
Pandey (2001) in spices and Pandey etal (2000) in coriander 
and fenugreek leaves. 

Similarly, media showed significate effect on 
moisture content (Table 5). Per cent moisture content was 
maximum in borax up to fourth day and minimum in 
silicagel throughout the drying process. The per cent 
moisture loss was higher in silicagel dried flowers due to 
its strong hygroscopic nature, as compared to borax 
treatment. 

Interaction effect of drying conditions and media 
on moisture content was found significant (Table 6). Room 
drying and borax medium showed higher moisture content 
whereas in silicagel and sun drying treatment there was 
low moisture content up to three days. 

Results from the present study showed that sun 
drying was better than room drying condition whereas 

J. Hort. Sci. 
Vol, 1 (1): 48-51, 2006 

50 



Meman et al 

Table 6. Interaction effect of different drying condition (C) and media (M) on per cent moisture content in the flowers 
of China aster 

Treatment Per cent moisture content 
l«day 2"'' day 3̂ " day 4"' day 5'" day 

C,M, 

C,M, 

C,M3 

C,M, 

C,M, 

C.M, 

C.M3 

54.67 
(47.68) 
54.94 

(47.84) 
61.64 

(51.73) 
38.94 

(38.61) 
37.06 

(37.50) 
38.40 

(38.29) 
61.44 

(51.62) 

40.96 
(39.79) 
52.53 

(46.45) 
59.68 

(50.58) 
32.28 

(34.62) 
35.26 

(36.43) 
37.17 

(37.56) 
58.81 

(50.08) 

14.93 
(22.73) 
22.33 

(28.20) 
34.38 

(35.90) 
11.73 

(20.03) 
10.44 

(18.85) 
13.60 

(21.64) 
34.28 

(35.84) 

12.59 
(20.79) 
12.99 

(21.12) 
25.45 

(30.30) 
10.13 

(18.56) 
8.920 

(17.38) 
12.58 

(20.78) 
25.36 

(30.24) 

9.35 
(17.81) 
12.18 

(20.42) 
7.41 

(15.80) 
7.00 

(15.35) 
8.72 

(17.18) 
11.52 

(19.84) 
11.60 

(19.91) 
CxM 
S.Em 
CD at 5% 
C V % 

0.28 
0.86 
1.12 

0.34 
1.03 
1.42 

0.64 
1.95 
4.43 

0.79 
NS 
6.21 

01.15 
NS 
11.10 

Figures in parentheses are arcsine transformed values 

among the various embedding materials, silicagel was the 
best to dry China aster. Silica gel was found to be the best 
material for embedding as it can be handled easily and 
shows a great capacity to absorb moisture. 

REFERENCES 

Alka Singh, Dhaduk, B.K. and Shah, R.R. 2003. Effect of 
dehydration on post harvest life and quality of zinnia 
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Brandenberg, R. N., Simons, J. W. and Smith, L. L. 1961. 
Why and how seeds are dried -The processing of 
seeds, pp. 295-306. In: "Seeds: The Year Book of 
Agriculture." Alfred Steferud (ed.) U.S. Govt. 

printing office, Washington. 
Maureen Foster. 1988. "The Flower Arrangement 

Encyclopedia of Preserving and Drying." Sterling 
Publication Co. Inc 387 Park Avenue South, New 
York. 160 p. 

Pandey, P. H. 2001. Crop drying, pp 30-60. In: "Principles 
and practices of post harvest technology." Kalyani 
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Pandey, V. K., Sonune, A.V. and Philip, S. K. 2000. Solar 
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(MS Received 6 May, 2006 Revised 8 July, 2006) 

J. Hort. Sci. 
Vol. 1 (1): 48-51, 2006 

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