POSTHARVEST PHYSIOLOGY OF BASIL (Occimum basilicum L.) WITH AND WITHOUT MULCHING

In order to study the effect of low temperatures on postharvest quality of basil (Occimum basilicum L.), grown with and without mulching, under modified atmosphere, its behavior was quantified in storage at 0, 5, 7 and 20 °C, for 16 days using a completely randomized design with three replications. The experiment unit consisted of a 30 g herbal bundle. Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, hydrogen potential, chlorophylls, carotenoids, ammonium content, color, fresh weight loss were evaluated. A hedonic evaluation was carried out, taking into account the following elements: visual appearance, turgidity, trade dress, decay and yellowing. Temperatures provoked different effects on postharvest quality. Basil suffered chilling injury at 0 °C. However, postharvest life of basil increased and its physicochemical charac- teristics remained similar at 5 °C. Postharvest quality was not affected by the use of mulching.