scored only 1.16 points, 1.14 points and 1.10 points for the same. In general, irrespective of temperature levels, the
embedded drying scored higher points for all the quality attributes. Influence of different temperature levels on
retention of colour, appearance and texture was found to be significant. The highest points of 2.39 for colour
retention was scored by flowers dried at 40°C, while the least score was recorded by flowers dried at 30°C (1.66).
The highest acceptability (2.36) for appearance was recorded by those flowers, which were dried at 40°C. The
Dutch rose flowers dried at 30°C scored the least (1.60) points indicating thereby the poor acceptability for
appearance. Among the different temperature levels, the flowers dried at 40°C scored maximum points of 2.24 for
texture, while those flowers dried at 30°C scored the least points (1.27). Good colour, appearance and texture were
recorded in the flowers dried at 40°C, irrespective of the mode of desiccation. At the temperature of 40°C,
moisture is removed in a steady rate without affecting the structural integrity of the flowers. Flower drying at
higher temperature of 50°C significantly damaged the quality parameters of the flowers and also resulted in petal
fall. Significant differences with respect to retention of colour, appearance and texture were also noticed for
interaction effects between temperature levels and mode of desiccation. The flowers dried at 40°C by embedding
in silica gel scored the highest points for colour (3.48), overall appearance (3.50) and texture (3.23) while the
Dutch rose flowers dried at 50°C without embedding scored the lowest points of 1.05 for colour, 1.04 for
appearance and 0.97 for texture. Among the interaction effects, drying of flowers at 40°C by embedding in silica
gel resulted in high quality dry flowers. The results are on line with those of Joykumar (1997) who obtained best
quality dried flowers in aster and chrysanthemum by following embedded drying techniques. He also reported that
colour of dried flowers of rose, aster and chrysanthemum were good in oven drying with silica gel as embedding
medium. Kher and Bhutani (1979) reported that flowers embedded in silica gel remained intact throughout the
drying process and also maintain the original shape and appearance.