Flower Crop Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

Production of flower crops round the year in India is a nature’s blessing, since the country is having varied agro-climatic conditions. Flower cultivation has been practiced in both open and protected conditions. Flowers like rose, gerbera, carnation, tuberose, gladiolus, etc. are important cut flower crops used in flower arrangements, in making bouquets, petunia as hanging baskets, garden display and in beautifying any landscape, whereas marigold is greatly used as loose flower in making garlands, decorating rangoli, temple offering, etc. However, various stress factors are associated with any flower crop that directly and indirectly hampers the growth of plant and results in poor quality flower, deprived yield and low income. Both higher and lower levels of abiotic stresses lead to decrease in flower quality and adversely affect the yield. Whereas, biotic stresses including diseases associated with fungus, bacterial, etc. can cause severe losses from seedling death to drastic decrease in the yield of flower to the growers. Thus, a brief knowledge of these stress conditions, their control measures and response of flower crops towards them is utmost important for successful cultivation of ornamental flower crops.