Production technology and post harvest handling techniques of orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata (L.)Jack)

Abstract

Orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack) is a tropical ornamental shrub belonging to the Rutaceae family, native to South and Southeast Asia, valued for its glossy foliage and aesthetic appeal in floral arrangements. The plant has gained commercial importance in the cut foliage industry, particularly in Kerala's favourable humid tropical climate. Despite its growing demand, the crop faces significant challenges due to non standardised agronomic practices and inadequate post-harvest handling techniques, resulting in reduced productivity and limited vase life, leading to substantial economic losses. The present study, entitled 'Production technology and post-harvest handling techniques of orange jasmine [Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack] was carried out at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 2024-2025 to standardise spacing, nutrient management protocols, and post-harvest handling techniques for commercial cultivation and vase life enhancement of orange jasmine foliage. The first experiment evaluated the effects of three plant spacings (1 m × 1 m, 1.5 m × 1.5 m, and 2 m × 2 m) and three nutrient doses (75:8:15, 100:8:15, and 50:8:15 N:P₂O₅:K₂O g/plant/year) on growth and yield parameters. Plant height was significantly affected by nutrient application; the 75:8:15 and 100:8:15 N:P₂O₅:K₂O treatments resulted in maximum heights of 127.66 cm and 126.55 cm respectively. The widest spacing (2 m × 2 m) combined with the highest nutrient dose produced the largest number of harvestable shoots (6.33 shoots). The greatest yield (5.49 t/ha) was observed at the closest spacing (1 m × 1 m), while the 100:8:15 N:P₂O₅:K₂O dose yielded 4.65 t/ha, and their combination resulted in the highest overall yield of 7.89 t/ha. The 2 m × 2 m and 100:8:15 N:P₂O₅:K₂O combination led to the heaviest shoots (159.39 g) and the shortest duration to first harvest (278.33 days). Maximum chlorophyll content (1.25 mg/g FW) was recorded at the 1 m × 1 m spacing, and 1.18 mg/g FW at the highest nutrient dose. The lowest nutrient dose N3(50:8:15 N:P₂O₅:K₂O) resulted in the longest vase life (13.33 days) The second set of experiments standardised post-harvest techniques through four sequential studies. Precooling treatments showed that the untreated control recorded the longest vase life of 13.26 days. Pulsing with BA 50 ppm extended vase life to 17.44 days, followed by BA 25 ppm (14.78 days), while the sucrose combinations reduced vase life. Packaging and storage experiments showed that polypropylene sleeves (P₄) and newspaper cover (P₇) with a 48-hour storage duration yielded optimal results. The combination of polyethylene sleeve with KMnO₄ sachet stored for 48 hours (P₃ × S₂) achieved the maximum vase life of 25.67 days. Holding solution experiments demonstrated that sodium benzoate treatments were most effective, with concentrations of 50 ppm and 100 ppm, extending vase life to 14.83 and 14.33 days, respectively. The present study demonstrated that the combination of optimal spacing (1 m × 1 m), and the highest nutrient dose (100:8:15 N:P₂O₅:K₂O g/plant/year) produced the highest yield proving that these treatments are best suitable for the cultivation of Murraya paniculata. For the post-harvest practices, omitting precooling, pulsing cut shoots with 50 ppm BA for 6 hours, packaging in polyethylene sleeve with KMnO₄ sachet for 48 hours, and using sodium benzoate as a holding solution maximized vase life. This research provides a comprehensive production and post-harvest management protocol to enhance commercial viability and promote a sustainable supply chain for the orange jasmine cut foliage industry in Kerala.