Scope, Global Scenario, Varietal Wealth & Diversity, Area, Patent rights and Nursery Management - Unit 1| Production Technology of Cut Flowers | Horticulture

HORMI - 202

Production Technology of Cut Flowers
UNIT I

📚 Contents

1. Scope of Cut Flowers in Global Trade
2. Global Scenario of Cut Flower Production
3. Varietal Wealth and Diversity in Cut Flowers
4. Area under Cut Flowers and Production Problems in India
5. Patent Rights and Plant Variety Protection in Floriculture
6. Nursery Management, Media for Nursery, and Special Nursery Practices
7. Quick Summary Table

1. Scope of Cut Flowers in Global Trade

✅ Importance of Cut Flowers:

• Cut flowers form a significant segment of floriculture.
• They include flowers and floral parts harvested for decorative use (e.g., Roses, Carnations, Gerberas, Lilies).
• The cut flower trade is a multibillion-dollar global industry, with flowers grown in many countries and rapidly transported by air to distant markets due to their perishable nature
• Used in:
  • Bouquets & arrangements
  • Decorations (events, hotels, etc.)
  • Religious & cultural functions
  • Perfume & essential oil extraction
  • Flower therapy and aesthetic landscaping

✅ Features Contributing to Global Demand:

• High aesthetic value
• Increasing urbanization and lifestyle changes
• Growth in hospitality, fashion, and event industries
• Use in international gifting and festivals (e.g., Valentine's Day, Mother's Day)
• Online flower delivery services boosting demand
• High employment and income generation potential

✅ Export Potential:

• International market demands quality flowers with long vase life, uniformity, and attractive appearance.
• Major consumer markets include the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Japan. The USA is the largest importer globally, surpassing Germany in recent years.
• The global cut flowers market was valued at USD 39.08 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025 to 2030, driven by rising demand for fresh flowers for occasions, evolving consumer preferences, and the growth of online flower delivery services.
• Europe dominates global consumption, with the EU accounting for over 50% of the world’s cut flower sales; Germany, the UK, France, and Italy are the largest markets.
• The Netherlands is the central hub for international cut flower trade, conducting over 60% of global exports, much of it through large flower auctions
• Developing countries like India, Kenya, Colombia, and Ethiopia are major exporters due to:
  • Favorable climates
  • Cheap labor
  • Technological advancements (e.g., polyhouse cultivation)

✅ Major Export Items:

• Fresh-cut flowers
• Flower buds
• Foliage and fillers
• Dried flowers and value-added products

✅ India’s Export Markets:

• Europe (Netherlands, Germany, UK)
• Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia)
• Southeast Asia
• USA and Japan (to a limited extent)

2. Global Scenario of Cut Flower Production

✅ Major Cut Flower Producing Countries:

Country	Key Features
Netherlands	World's largest flower exporter (50% in 2020); known for auctions (Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk); expertise in cold chain, breeding, and logistics
Colombia	Major exporter to the USA; favorable climate, especially for carnations and roses
Kenya	Leading African exporter; benefits from equatorial climate and high altitudes
Ecuador	High-altitude rose production; large bloom sizes; dominant in the US market
India	Emerging exporter; focuses on roses, carnations, gerberas, lilies; areas include Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Hosur
China	Rising production and consumption; focus on local and regional markets
Ethiopia	New entrant; government support, proximity to Europe

✅ Trends:

• Shift from temperate to tropical countries for year-round production
• Growth of high-tech floriculture: protected cultivation, tissue culture, drip irrigation
• African countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe are leading exporters, with South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia also contributing. Roses make up 70–95% of African cut flower exports
• Asia, especially China, is expanding rapidly in production and is expected to become the largest consumer market in the coming decades.
• Traditional producers like the Netherlands, Japan, and the US focus on increasing productivity per worker and per unit area, while new production is shifting to countries with lower labor and production costs.
• The global production of floriculture products is expanding, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with rising productivity in these regions.
• E-commerce and floral retail chains expanding
• Focus on sustainability: eco-friendly packaging, carbon footprint reduction

3. Varietal Wealth and Diversity in Cut Flowers

✅ General Perspective:

• Diversity exists at species, varietal, and cultivar levels.
• Continuous improvement through hybridization, mutation breeding, and biotechnology.

✅ Major Cut Flower Crops & Notable Varieties:

Flower	Notable Varieties
Rose (Rosa spp.)	Grand Gala, First Red, Taj Mahal, Raktagandha, Avalanche
Gerbera	Classic Red, Maron, Orange, Pink Elegance, White Mountain
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)	Domingo, Tanga, Yellow Candy, Libra, Arthur Sim
Gladiolus	White Prosperity, American Beauty, Mayur, Darshan
Chrysanthemum	Thai Chen Queen, Yellow Daisy, Flirt, Snow Ball
Orchid (Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis)	Sonia, Emma White, Red Lip, Snow White
Lilium	Avignon, Brunello, Dreamland, Yellow Tycoon
Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)	Single: Shringar, Prajwal; Double: Suvasini, Vaibhav

✅ Breeding Focus:

• Long vase life
• Fragrance (e.g., Roses, Tuberose)
• Color diversity
• Resistance to pests/diseases
• Transport and handling ability

✅ Germplasm Resources:

• Maintained by IIHR (Bengaluru), IARI (Delhi), NBRI (Lucknow), and State Horticultural Universities
• Germplasm exchange with countries like the Netherlands, USA, and Japan

4. Area under Cut Flowers and Production Problems in India

🌸 Area under Cut Flowers in India

✅ Status and Growth:

• Cut flower cultivation in India has seen rapid growth in the last 2–3 decades.
• Shift from traditional flower growing (open field) to protected cultivation under polyhouses and greenhouses.
• Cultivation is mainly done for:
• Domestic market (majority)
• Export market (select varieties in specific regions)

✅ Major States Growing Cut Flowers:

State	Key Regions
Karnataka	Bengaluru, Kolar, Mysuru
Maharashtra	Pune, Nashik, Satara
Andhra Pradesh & Telangana	Ranga Reddy, Krishna, Guntur
Tamil Nadu	Hosur, Coimbatore
West Bengal	Kalimpong, Howrah
Uttar Pradesh	Lucknow, Varanasi
Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand	For temperate cut flowers

✅ Area & Production (Approximate based on NHB & APEDA reports):

(Note: Figures vary by year, but the trend remains consistent)

• As of 2023-24, the area under floriculture production in India was about 285,000 hectares, with cut flowers accounting for a significant portion.
• The production of cut flowers reached approximately 947,000 tonnes in 2023-24.
• In the fiscal year 2023, cut flower production in India exceeded one million metric tons.
• Major producing states: Tamil Nadu (21%), Karnataka (16%), Madhya Pradesh (14%) and West Bengal (12%), having gone ahead of other producing states like Mizoram, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Haryana, Assam and Chhattisgarh.
• The area and production of cut flowers vary significantly across states and over time, reflecting dynamic agricultural practices and regional factors

🌿 Production Problems in India

1. Climatic Constraints
• Tropical climate is often unsuitable for temperate cut flowers like tulips and lilies.
• Extreme heat/humidity affects quality and vase life.
• The need for a controlled environment increases costs.
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
• Lack of cold chain facilities, grading centers, and pack houses.
• Poor post-harvest handling reduces export quality.]
• Transport and logistics remain a bottleneck.
3. Limited Availability of Quality Planting Material
• Dependence on imported varieties and planting material.
• Lack of certified nurseries producing disease-free stock.
4. Lack of Awareness and Training
• Many farmers are first-generation floriculturists.
• Lack of training in modern cultivation practices, pest management, and post-harvest care.
5. Pests and Diseases
• Incidence of thrips, mites, aphids, botrytis, and powdery mildew.
• High cost of pest control under protected conditions.
6. Market-Related Issues
• Price fluctuations, especially in the domestic market.
• Absence of organized auction systems like those in the Netherlands.
• Exploitative middlemen reduce farmer income.
7. High Initial Investment
• Polyhouse setup, fertigation, and drip irrigation systems are capital intensive.
• Small/marginal farmers find it hard to invest without subsidy.
8. Lack of Varietal Protection
• Many high-performing hybrids are imported, leading to dependency.
• Unauthorized propagation and sale of protected cultivars is common.
9. Skilled Manpower Shortage: There is a lack of trained personnel for modern floriculture practices, affecting productivity and adoption of new technologies.
10. Product Diversification and Differentiation: Difficulty in diversifying products and creating unique selling points in a competitive market
11. Water Management: Inadequate irrigation infrastructure and water scarcity in some regions limit optimal flower production

5. Patent Rights and Plant Variety Protection in Floriculture 📜

✅ Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Floriculture:

IPR Type	Relevance to Cut Flowers
Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR)	Protects new varieties bred by individuals/organizations
Plant Patents	Protects asexually reproduced plants like ornamentals
Trademarks	For marketing/branding (e.g., ‘Avalanche®’ rose)
Geographical Indications (GI)	E.g., ‘Nilgiri Rose’ (potential)

✅ Key Legal Provisions in India:

• Patent Law: Under the Indian Patents Act, 1970, plants and biological processes for their production or propagation are not patentable (Section 3(j)). This means that new plant varieties, seeds, and essentially biological processes cannot be patented in India.
• Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPV&FR Act)
• Instead of patents, India protects new plant varieties through this act, which grants plant breeders’ rights (PBR) to those who develop new varieties.
• Grants exclusive rights to breeders to produce, sell, and market the variety.
• Encourages the development of new plant varieties.
• Farmers can save/use/propagate varieties but not sell branded seed of protected varieties.
• International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)
• India is not a member of UPOV (protects breeder interests more than farmer interests).
• India has its own system (PPV&FR) which balances breeder and farmer rights.
• International Context: The WTO’s TRIPS agreement requires member states to protect plant varieties either by patent or by a sui generis system. India’s PPV&FR Act is a sui generis system, though it has not been accepted by the UPOV Council as fully compliant with the UPOV Convention.
• Recent Developments: Patents may be granted for mechanical or technological innovations related to flowers (e.g., processes for printing images on flowers), but not for the flowers or plants themselves

✅ Common Patent/Right Issues in Cut Flowers:

• Unauthorized propagation of patented varieties is rampant.
• Breeders face losses due to piracy and lack of enforcement.
• Many popular varieties (especially roses, orchids) are under PBR abroad, so Indian producers must pay royalties or risk legal issues in export markets.

6. Nursery Management, Media for Nursery, and Special Nursery Practices 🌱

🏡 Nursery Management

✅ Definition:
A nursery is a place where plants are raised, multiplied, and cared for until they are ready for planting in the main field or for sale.
Effective nursery management is crucial for producing healthy, disease-free, and vigorous planting material, which forms the foundation for successful cut flower production

✅ Key Aspects of Nursery Management:

• Site Selection: Choose a location with good drainage, ample sunlight, and protection from strong winds.
  • Well-drained fertile soil, preferably sandy loam with good moisture retention.
  • Sunlight exposure: Partial shade preferred for seedling health.
  • Access to irrigation, transport, and electricity.
  • Pest/disease-free area, away from polluted/industrial zones.
• Layout and Infrastructure: Organise nursery into sections for seed beds, mother plants, propagation area, hardening area, and storage.
  • Raised beds for sowing or propagation.
  • Shaded area/net house for delicate seedlings.
  • Mist chamber for vegetative propagation.
  • Mother block for maintaining true-to-type parent plants.
  • Fencing to prevent animal entry.
  • Potting sheds, irrigation systems, storage areas, etc
• Irrigation & Drainage: Ensure regular, adequate irrigation and well-maintained drainage channels to avoid waterlogging.
• Weed, Pest, and Disease Control: Regular weeding, mulching, and monitoring for pests and diseases. Use of organic and chemical controls as needed.
• Maintenance of Structures: Keep greenhouses, shade nets, mist chambers, and storage facilities in good condition.
• Tools & Equipment: Maintain tools in sharp, rust-free condition for efficient work.
• Record Keeping: Maintain records of sowing, propagation, inputs, and sales for efficient management and traceability.
• Staff Management: Clearly assign duties and responsibilities; ensure staff are trained in nursery practices.

✅ Objectives of Nursery Management:

• Ensure availability of healthy, uniform planting material.
• Facilitate early germination and growth under controlled conditions.
• Allow timely supply of plants for large-scale commercial cultivation.
• Serve as a site for propagation, research, and varietal maintenance.

✅ Types of Nurseries:

Type	Description
Temporary Nursery	Set up for a single season or specific crop
Permanent Nursery	Established for continuous production over years
Commercial Nursery	Profit-oriented; supplies plants to farmers and gardeners
Research/Institutional Nursery	Maintains breeding lines and conducts trials

🪴 Media for Nursery

✅ Functions of Nursery Media:

• Provides anchorage, moisture, aeration, and nutrients to the propagules.
• Good media ensures healthy root development, better growth, and higher survival rates.

✅ Desirable Properties:

• Light weight and porous
• Good water holding capacity (WHC)
• High aeration and drainage
• Free from pathogens, nematodes, and weed seeds
• Should not shrink or crust on drying

✅ Common Nursery Media: Types of Nursery Growing Media:

Media Type	Characteristics & Uses
Soil-based	Most common; provides minerals and anchorage. Should be sterilized to prevent soil-borne diseases.
Sand	Improves drainage and aeration; used in combination with other materials.
Peat	High water-holding capacity, good for seed germination and young seedlings.
Cocopeat	Derived from coconut husk; excellent water retention, aeration, and root development.
Compost	Supplies nutrients and improves structure; should be well-decomposed.
Perlite	Volcanic glass; improves aeration and drainage, lightweight.
Vermiculite	Good for moisture retention, used in seed germination mixes.
Rockwool	Inert, sterile, high water retention; used in hydroponics and for cuttings.
Bark (Fir, Pine)	Used especially for orchids; provides aeration and is biologically active.
Leaf Mould	Adds organic matter and improves moisture retention4.

Ideal Media Mixes:
For most cut flowers: Loam soil : sand : compost (2:1:1) or cocopeat-based mixes.
For orchids: Fir bark, sphagnum moss, or coconut husk chips.

🌿 3. Special Nursery Practices

These are advanced or supportive techniques that improve propagation success, plant health, and nursery efficiency.

• ✅ 1. Soil Sterilization
  Eliminates pathogens, nematodes, and weeds.
  Methods:
  Solarization: Cover beds with polythene sheet for 4–6 weeks under sun.
  Steam treatment: Expose media to ≥80°C steam.
  Chemical: Use of formalin (2–5%), Bavistin, Captan, etc.
• ✅ 2. Seed Treatment
  Enhances germination and seedling vigor.
  Fungicide treatments (Thiram, Captan).
  Hot water treatment or GA₃ soaking for hard seeds.
• ✅ 3. Use of Growth Regulators
  Auxins (IBA, NAA): Promote rooting in cuttings.
  Gibberellins (GA₃): Promote seed germination in dormant seeds.
  Cytokinins (BA): Improve shoot proliferation in tissue culture.
• ✅ 4. Hardening of Seedlings
  The process of gradually exposing seedlings to field conditions before transplanting.
  Done by:
  Reducing watering frequency
  Exposure to sunlight gradually
  Applying mild stress to promote root-shoot balance
• ✅ 5. Use of Plug Trays and Pro-trays
  Plug trays filled with soilless media.
  Ensure uniform growth, space efficiency, and easy handling.
  Widely used in commercial cut flower nurseries.
• ✅ 6. Mist Chamber & Propagation Structures
  Used for vegetative propagation (cuttings, grafts).
  Maintains high humidity to prevent desiccation.
  Mist chamber should have: nozzles, timer, water filter, and proper drainage.
• ✅ 7. Labeling and Record Keeping
  Essential for varietal identification and tracking.
  Tags, labels, and digital records help maintain traceability.
• ✅ 8. Mother Block Maintenance
  True-to-type, disease-free parent plants.
  Regular pruning, pest control, and nutrient management are vital.
• ✅ 9. Pinching
  Removal of the shoot tip promotes bushier growth and more flowering shoots.
  Common in chrysanthemum, carnation, and marigold.
• ✅ 10. Disbudding
  Removal of side buds to allow the main bud to develop fully, resulting in larger blooms.
  Practiced in rose, chrysanthemum, and carnation.
• ✅ 11. Defoliation: Removal of older leaves to reduce disease incidence and improve air circulation.
• ✅ 12. Staking and Netting:
  Providing physical support to prevent lodging and ensure straight stems.
  Essential for tall or weak-stemmed species like gladiolus and gerbera.
• ✅ 13. Mulching: Applying organic/inorganic material on soil surface to conserve moisture, control weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• ✅ 14. Hydroponics and Soilless Culture: Growing plants in nutrient solutions or inert media (like perlite, rockwool) for disease-free, rapid propagation

Quick Summary Table

Aspect	Highlights
Scope	High global and domestic demand, driven by lifestyle, gifting, events
Global Leaders	Netherlands, Colombia, Kenya, Ecuador, India
India’s Edge	Agro-climatic diversity, cheap labor, growing tech adoption
Varietal Wealth	Extensive diversity in color, size, vase life, fragrance
Breeding Goals	Quality, durability, disease resistance, color novelty
Area under Floriculure	285,000 hectares (As of 2023-24)
Key States	Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, AP, Telangana
Major Problems	Climate, pests, poor infrastructure, lack of awareness
Legal Protection	PPV&FR Act, Plant Breeder Rights, Plant Patents
Export Issues	Royalty payments, variety piracy, quality control
Nursery
Nursery Type	Temporary, permanent, commercial, institutional
Ideal Media	Cocopeat, sand, vermiculite, compost (various mixes)
Special Practices	Sterilization, seed treatment, hardening, misting
Propagation Aids	Plug trays, mist chambers, growth regulators
Site Needs	Sunlight, drainage, water, fencing, infrastructure

Sources Referenced: Arora (2006), Bhattacharjee (2006), Bose & Yadav (1989), Chadha & Chaudhury (1992), Prasad & Kumar (2003), etc.

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