Shipment of Head Lettuce from Production Sites to the Thai Airways International Co.Ltd., Bangkok.

Abstract

Head lettuce was harvested and left overnight in shacks at production sites. The next morning, they were trimmed and individually wrapped with proof paper either with or without plastic bag and packed in crates and ASEAN high density polyethylene (HDPE) containers. Head lettuce without trimming of wrapper leaves was also packed in crates. They were then shipped to the Royal Project Office, Chiang Mai, Province, within the same day, trimmed head letture in crates was transferred into 5-kg cartons and untrimmed head lettuce was unpacked, trimmed and repacked in bamboo baskets. Head lettuce was then shipped to Bangkok by truck in the same evening. Upon arrival in the next morning at Postharvest Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok. it was found that individually wrapped head lettuce either with or without plastic bag in both cartons and ASEAN HDPE containers was in excellent condition. while head lettuce without wrapping in bamboo baskets showed a considerable weight loss and shrivel leaves had to be removed resulti~lg more weight loss. Tipburn was found to contribute a large percentage of postharvest losses in one lot of head lettuce and this seems to be related to rapid growth of the plant. Strict practice of quality control resulted in good quality of the produce at the destination.