Post harvest handling of flower crops is a vast sector witnessing the unprecedented load of chemicals being applied on flower commodities to retain their freshness and display quality. Concerns about unregulated use of synthetic chemicals are often not raised as the commodities in question are not consumed as eatables. Several studies from leading flower markets of Europe, Africa and other countries have highlighted the ill-effects of excessive chemical use on environment and health of flower workers. Nowadays, there is a growing concern to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in food crops and to divert towards organic production, and same also applies to the ornamental plant sector. Use of harmful chemicals such as Silverthiosulphate (STS), Silver nitrate (AgNO₃), Aluminium and Cobalt compounds, Hydroxy quinoline, and Thiabendazole (TBZ) during post harvest handling of flower crops should be minimised to avoid associated health consequences. Safe and effective natural alternatives need to be explored for use in vases to replace these chemicals. This review summarizes role of different chemicals in extending longevity of cut flowers and also associated risks. Various studies on cut flower handling with use of herbal extracts reveal their potential to reduce the use of chemicals.

花卉作物的收获后处理是一个庞大的行业，见证了前所未有的化学品负载量被应用于花卉商品以保持其新鲜度和展示质量。由于所讨论的商品不作为食用品消费，因此通常不会提出对合成化学品不受管制使用的担忧。来自欧洲、非洲和其他国家主要花卉市场的多项研究强调了过度使用化学品对花卉工人的环境和健康的不良影响。如今，人们越来越关注减少粮食作物中有害化学物质的使用并转向有机生产，观赏植物领域也是如此。使用有害化学物质，例如硫代硫酸银 (STS)、硝酸银 (AgNO ₃)、铝和钴化合物、羟基喹啉和噻菌灵 (TBZ) 在花卉作物的收获后处理过程中应尽量减少以避免相关的健康后果。需要探索在花瓶中使用安全有效的天然替代品来替代这些化学物质。本综述总结了不同化学物质在延长切花寿命方面的作用以及相关风险。使用草药提取物处理切花的各种研究揭示了它们减少化学品使用的潜力。