Chapter 6 - Transgenic Research in Floricultural Crops

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the development and commercialization of genetically modified floricultural plants. As at the end of 2016, color-modified varieties of carnation and rose were the only genetically modified floricultural products on the market. Despite the availability of transformation protocols for many important floricultural plants, increasing genome and transcriptome information, access to genes for modification of important traits such as flower color, and demonstrated phenotypic change in experimental research for other traits, there is no significant pipeline for future products. As the products currently on the market have been well received, it is proposed that one important reason for this lack of genetic modification technology uptake is the cost of regulatory compliance and the lack of an internationally coordinated approach to regulation of genetically modified organisms. This is particularly important for floricultural products, which are often grown in one country and commercialized in other countries.