Cut Flower Trade Research Articles

Towards the Improvement of Ornamental Attributes in Chrysanthemum: Recent Progress in Biotechnological Advances.

Incessant development and introduction of novel cultivars with improved floral attributes are vital in the dynamic ornamental industry. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is a highly favored ornamental plant, ranking second globally in the cut flower trade, after rose. Development of new chrysanthemum cultivars with improved and innovative modifications in ornamental attributes, including floral color, shape, plant architecture, flowering time, enhanced shelf life, and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, is a major goal in chrysanthemum breeding. Despite being an economically important ornamental plant, the application of conventional and molecular breeding approaches to various key traits of chrysanthemum is hindered owing to its genomic complexity, heterozygosity, and limited gene pool availability. Although classical breeding of chrysanthemum has resulted in the development of several hundreds of cultivars with various morphological variations, the genetic and transcriptional control of various important ornamental traits remains unclear. The coveted blue colored flowers of chrysanthemums cannot be achieved through conventional breeding and mutation breeding due to technical limitations. However, blue-hued flower has been developed by genetic engineering, and transgenic molecular breeding has been successfully employed, leading to substantial progress in improving various traits. The recent availability of whole-genome sequences of chrysanthemum offers a platform to extensively employ MAS to identify a large number of markers for QTL mapping, and GWAS to dissect the genetic control of complex traits. The combination of NGS, multi-omic platforms, and genome editing technologies has provided a tremendous scope to decipher the molecular and regulatory mechanisms. However, the application and integration of these technologies remain inadequate for chrysanthemum. This review, therefore, details the significance of floral attributes, describes the efforts of recent advancements, and highlights the possibilities for future application towards the improvement of crucial ornamental traits in the globally popular chrysanthemum plant.

Identification of chemical components in Dianthus determined by widely targeted metabolomics

The chemical composition of the secondary metabolites is of great significance to the quality control of agricultural products. The genus Dianthus is famous for its beautiful flowers in the cut flower trade and also used in the traditional Chinese medicinal system and food market. However, the chemical composition in Dianthus is still unknown. The current study examined the levels of different metabolites of the flowers in Dianthus caryophyllus, Dianthus chinensis and Dianthus superbus via the use of the widely targeted metabolomic strategy. We obtained the structure and content of 423 metabolites in Dianthus, which included the primary and secondary metabolites. The principal component analysis was able to clearly seperate Dianthus caryophyllus, Dianthus chinensis and Dianthus superbus based on the flower metabolites. The differential metabolites can be categorised into 11 different classes, the majority were flavonoids, amino acids and their derivatives, phenolic acids and lipids. The results of this study provide important information for the effective use of Dianthus flowers in edible, medicinal and therapeutic aspects.

Boric acid as a potential substitute for conventional ethylene antagonists in mitigating postharvest flower senescence of Digitalis purpurea

Abstract In the floriculture industry, postharvest senescence is one of the glaring challenges restricting the marketability of cut flowers. Hence, maintaining good quality of cut flowers and extending flower longevity are considered to be the most crucial factors in the cut flower trade. Therefore, to gain better understanding of the specific physiological and biochemical aspects of petal senescence we conducted an experiment to evaluate the efficacy of Boric acid (BA) on flower longevity in excised flowers of Digitalis purpurea L. Isolated buds were harvested at stage IV i.e, 1 day before anthesis and divided into 5 sets, with one set of buds held in distilled water (DW) designated as control. The other 4 sets were supplemented with 24h pulse treatment of different concentrations of BA viz., 50, 100, 150 and 200 µM. The application of BA at 150 µM concentration was found to be most effective in increasing flower longevity by about 4 days as compared to control. The enhanced longevity coincided with higher values of floral diameter, fresh mass, dry mass and solution uptake. Flowers with delayed senescence also retained higher soluble proteins, sugars and phenols in addition to lower bacterial density compared to control. Moreover, this ameliorated flower longevity has also been shown to be positively associated with increased activities of various antioxidant enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and reduced activity of lipoxygenase (LOX).

Poland's cut flower trade with other EU countries between 2004 and 2019

Poland's cut flower trade with other EU countries between 2004 and 2019

MORPHOLOGICAL AND GENOMIC VARIABLITY OF SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII SACC. CAUSING STEM ROT OF TUBEROSE

Tuberose is one of the most important ornamental bulbous flower crop cultivated for cut and loose flower trade. The flower has been used for ornaments, bouquets and buttonholes or crown and frequently used during marriages and religious ceremonies. The tuberose was often infected by various numbers of diseases; among that S. rolfsii is the one of the major disease which causes stem rot disease. The S. rolfsii were collected from various locations of Tamil Nadu were examined for morphological and genomic variability. Fifteen isolates of S. rolfsii was assessed and various morphological growth parameters (Mycelia growth, No. of sclerotia/ plate, colour of sclerotia, time taken for sclerotial production (days) and variations among S. rolfsii isolates was recorded. ITS region of rDNA amplification with specific ITS1 and ITS4 universal primers produced approximately 600 to 700 bp in all the isolates confirmed that all the isolates obtained are S. rolfsii. The sequences of isolates viz., Sr1 and Sr2 were identified as S. rolfsii through BLAST search in NCBI website (www.blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast). The sequences were deposited in the Gene Bank with the accession numbers MK880692, MK880693.

Induction of novel inflorescence traits in Chrysanthemum through 60Co gamma irradiation

Purpose The novelty in flower color or inflorescence form is recognized as a valuable trait in Chrysanthemum – a potential commercial flower crop with significant worth in global cut flower trade. This study was conducted to irradiate white and orange flowered cultivars of Chrysanthemum with an objective to identify and isolate desirable types representing novelty in flower color and inflorescence form from the irradiated populations. The terminal rooted cuttings of Chrysanthemum exposed to γ-irradiation at 10 or 15 Gy doses were found effective for inducing novel flower color variants in cultivars Thiching Queen and Purnima. The mutant progeny evolved with novel inflorescence traits of these cultivars will enrich the existing germplasm of Chrysanthemum for further utilization in breeding programs. Materials and methods Two standard type Chrysanthemum cultivars, Thiching Queen and Purnima were exposed to varied doses of γ-rays (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy) using Cobalt 60 (60Co) as irradiation source for treating rooted cuttings. The irradiated mutant population was evaluated for likely variation in various vegetative and flowering characters compared to non-irradiated (control) plants. Results In Chrysanthemum cultivars Thiching Queen, seven and ‘in Purnima’, two flower color variants were isolated from the irradiated populations that were reportedly novel in color and desirable for commercial aspect. The leaf abnormalities were observed in mutant populations exhibiting variation in flower color, shape, and size of leaves. Certain floral abnormalities were also observed in inflorescence that reportedly progressed with increase in dosage of γ-rays irradiation. Conclusions This study developed a gamma ray (60Co) induced mutagenesis protocol with potential application to develop novel and desirable mutants in Chrysanthemum.

Field evaluation of double petalled tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) genotypes for vegetative growth, floral and bulb production parameters

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) occupies a very selective and special position for loose flower, cut flower and essential oils trade. Generally, in cut flower trade, Double petalled genotypes are more popular than single petalled. A particular genotype may or may not perform satisfactorily in a given location. Hence, seven double petalled tuberose genotypes, viz. Pearl Double, Arka Suvasini, Hyderabad Double, Arka Vaibhav, STR 505, Calcutta Double and Swarn Rekha were evaluated during 2012-2013 for various vegetative growth, floral and bulb traits under open field condition at ICAR- Directorate of Floricultural Research, New Delhi. Significant variations for all studied parameters were recorded in evaluated genotypes. Cultivar Swarn Rekha produced significantly higher plant height (47.03 cm) followed by cv. Arka Vaibhav (44.43 cm). The lowest plant height was recorded in cv. STR 505 (38.26cm). Maximum width of leaves (2.29 cm), fresh weight of leaves (130.28 g) and dry weight of leaves (19.18 g) per clump and number of spikes per plot (143.00) were recorded in cv. Arka Vaibhav. Cultivar Hyderabad Double took maximum number of days to first flowering (120.00) and cv. Arka Suvasini took least days to first flowering (100.00). Higher number of leaves per clump (33.55), flowering duration (24.55 day), spike length (91.91 cm), rachis length(47.84 cm), spike diameter (12.41 mm), number of florets/spike (69.90), fresh weight of florets/spike (253.83 g), fresh weight (191.90 g) and dry weight (19.14 g) of cut spike, number of tepals/floret (24.19), diameter (5.46 cm) and length (6.40 cm) of open floret, diameter (12.24 mm) and length (5.31 cm) of mature floret and weight of 10 open(46.80 g) and mature (23.20 g) florets, number of bulbs (17.00) and bulblets (9.38) per clump, total weight of bulbs (302.53 g) and bulblets (29.96 g) per clump, average diameter of bulb (28.09 mm) and bulblet (11.23 mm), average weight of bulb (27.03 g) and bulblet (3.78 g) and average length of bulb (7.46 cm) were obtained in cv. Arka Suvasini. In all genotypes, no seed setting was reported. Cultivar Arka Vaibhav developed greenish floret at bud stage, while remaining six genotypes developed pinkish flower bud. Higher internodal length was measured in cv. STR 505 (6.40cm) and shorter in Arka Vaibhav (4.71 cm). The lowest values for majority of the vegetative growth, floral and bulb parameters were recorded in cv. Swarn Rekha. However, the lowest values for bulblet development parameters were obtained in cv. Arka Vaibhav. Conclusively, based on overall yield and quality parameters, cv. Arka Suvasini and Arka Vaibhav were found to be most promising and can be recommended for future commercialization.

Effect of some Natural Material Additives on Growth and Flowering of Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa, L.) Bulbs

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa, L.) has a good economic potential for cut flower trade and essential oil industry. A field experiment was conducted at Sakha Horticulture Research Station, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, during the two successive seasons of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 to study the effect of some natural materials, i.e. humic acid, yeast and garlic extracts, using two application methods, i.e. soil drench and foliar spray, on some vegetative growth traits, flowering, bulbs and bulblets productivity. The investigation aimed to improve plant quality and raise new formed bulbs and bulblets under local conditions. Results indicated that humic acid treatment followed by yeast then garlic extract significantly increased all traits under study. Soil drench method was superior for vegetative growth, flowering traits, bulbs productivity and chemical constituents compared to the foliar spray one. Application of humic acid as soil drench increased leaf length, number of leaves. Furthermore, it induced precocity in flowering, increased spike and rachis length, number of florets per spike, fresh weight of florets, fresh and dry weights of spike. Also, it significantly increased number of bulblets, fresh weight of clump, fresh weight of new formed bulb and its diameter. Besides, it increased chlorophyll (a) and (b), carbohydrates content, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentage in the leaves compared to untreated plants in both seasons. Therefore, application of humic acid by soil drench method, at the rate of 9 ml/l after three weeks of planting tuberose bulbs, three times with three weeks' interval is important for improving plant quality and raising new formed bulbs and bulblets under local conditions.

English

Gladiolus is an important estimated 8th in the world cut flower trade’s cut flower grown throughout the world for its elegant attractive spikes of different hues and good keeping quality. The commercial cultivation of Gladiolus is based on natural multiplication of corms and cormels. However, multiplication rate of corms and cormels is slow and the conventional method of propagation is insufficient to meet the demand of planting material and eventually affect the final cost of corms. A number of improved conventional techniques including division of the corms, removal of leaf and flower spikes, use of standard corm size, and mechanical removal of sprouts can increase the multiplication rate of corms and cormels. These improved conventional methods of propagation are insufficient to meet the demand of planting materials. In vitro techniques are applicable for the propagation of corm producing species. These techniques are adopted at commercial level in order to fulfill supply gap of huge demand. A number of in vitro protocols have been developed for regeneration of Gladiolus plantlets using different media by using various explants sources of the plant. However, literature is rather scanty on in vitro cormel formation and acclimatization of in vitro propagules. Key words: Corms, cormels, galdiolus, propagation.

Dissemination of Dry Flower Technology for Societal Good

A b s t r a c t A r t i c l e I n f o In floriculture industry and cut flower trade there is always demand of new and novel cultivars of ornamental plants and their value added products. The floriculture basket comprises of flowers (loose and cut), fillers, live plants, seeds, plant propagules, cactus and succulents, house plants, tissue culture raised plant, value added products viz. essential oils and dry flowers. Since the dry flower Industry is growing in a rapid speed and at present contributed about 70% of the earning of the floriculture produce. In our country dry flower industry comprises of dehydrated flowers, foliage, fruits and seeds. Dehydrated flower and floral craft is used for making various useful products like greeting cards, landscapes, photo frames, table mats, coasters, wall hangings and potpourri items obtained with ethyl acetate extract in both rice and millet flour media (2.29% and 2.06%).

Violence, Instability, and Trade: Evidence from Kenya’s Cut Flower Sector

We examine the implications of the violence and instability following the 2007 Kenyan elections and how it affected cut flower trade between Kenya and the EU. Using the Rotterdam demand model, we find that the post-election violence had a negative impact on EU imports from Kenya equivalent to €33 million – which is significant given the importance of flowers to Kenya’s economy. Results show that even a short period of violence can have an effect on trade since instability in an exporting country causes importers to source from other countries perceived as less risky (persisting even when order is restored).

Post-Harvest Physiology and Technology in Orchids

Orchids account for a large share of global floriculture trade and are estimated around 10% of international fresh cut flower trade. They have taken a significant position in cut flower industry due to its attractiveness, diversity in forms, shape and color, high productivity, right season of bloom, and easy packing and transportation. Postharvest life of orchid cut flowers is influenced by pre-harvest factors like varietal or species differences, light intensity, sugar level of flowers, temperature and water loss. It is also affected by harvest factors such as time and stage of harvest and postharvest factors viz. ethylene production, precooling, pulsing, use of preservatives, packaging and storage. The hybrids of Dendrobium, Vanda and Mokara remain perfect from 7 days to 30 days. The flowers of Cattleya and Phalaenopsis remain fresh for 1 to 4 weeks whereas Aranda lasts for 18 to 28 days. Higher sugar levels of flowers improve longevity of cut flowers. The optimum harvesting stage of commercial orchids is fully open and mature flowers. In Cymbidium hyb. ‘PCMV’, harvest at two buds opened stage had maximum vase life (66.8 days). Ethylene is the main factor responsible for early senescence. In Cymbidium hybrid ‘Red Princess’ pulsing with 5% sucrose increases vase life upto 56 days. Pulsing with 4 mM STS for 10 minutes in Aranda and 0.5 mM STS for 24 hours in Phalaenopsis blocks the deleterious effect of ethylene. In tropical orchids like Dendrobium and Oncidium, AgNO3 (10-30 ppm) and HQS (50-100 ppm) extends vase life and bud opening of cut flowers. In Cymbidium, 1-MCP and AVG are superior to STS in prolonging the vase life of cut flowers. In Cymbidium ‘PCMV’, highest per cent of fully opened buds (75%) and maximum vase life (45 days) were recorded with the chemical combination of sugar 4% + salicylic acid 200 ppm. In orchids, cut spikes are inserted in tube containing water or water with preservatives and bunch of 5 or more or individual spikes are placed inside the CFB box in alternate fashion. Cool growing orchids are stored at lower temperature even at 5°C in cold chambers whereas tropical and subtropical orchids are stored at 7-10°C and 90-95% relative humidity.

First report of peduncle blight of tuberose caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in India

Tuberose ( Polianthes tuberosa ) is an important ornamental plant cultivated in many sub-tropical and tropical areas of the world. Tuberose is commercially cultivated for the cut flower trade and extraction of its natural flower oil. In …

No Roses without Thorns: Global Cut Flower Trade and Developing Countries

No Roses without Thorns: Global Cut Flower Trade and Developing Countries

The potential of South African indigenous plants for the international cut flower trade

A broad review is presented of recent developments in the commercialization of southern Africa indigenous flora for the cut flower trade, including potted flowers and foliages (“greens”). The botany, horticultural traits and potential for commercialization of several indigenous plants have been reported in several publications. The contribution of species indigenous and/or endemic to southern Africa in the development of cut flower crop plants is widely acknowledged. These include what is known in the trade as gladiolus, freesia, gerbera, ornithogalum, clivia, agapanthus, strelitzia, plumbago and protea. Despite the wealth of South African flower bulb species, relatively few have become commercially important in the international bulb industry. Trade figures on the international markets also reflect the importance of a few species of southern African origin. The development of new research tools are contributing to the commercialization of South African plants, although propagation, cultivation and post-harvest handling need to be improved. A list of commercially relevant southern African cut flowers (including those used for fresh flowers, dried flowers, foliage and potted flowers) is presented, together with a subjective evaluation of several genera and species with perceived potential for the development of new crops for the florist trade. It is concluded that research should be focused on potential markets rather than on preconceived product concepts. A special national effort is required to maximize the opportunities presented by the rich diversity of the flora and to develop an internationally competitive cut flower industry.

Integrating drivers influencing the detection of plant pests carried in the international cut flower trade

This paper analyses the cut flower market as an example of an invasion pathway along which species of non-indigenous plant pests can travel to reach new areas. The paper examines the probability of pest detection by assessing information on pest detection and detection effort associated with the import of cut flowers. We test the link between the probability of plant pest arrivals, as a precursor to potential invasion, and volume of traded flowers using count data regression models. The analysis is applied to the UK import of specific genera of cut flowers from Kenya between 1996 and 2004. There is a link between pest detection and the Genus of cut flower imported. Hence, pest detection efforts should focus on identifying and targeting those imported plants with a high risk of carrying pest species. For most of the plants studied, efforts allocated to inspection have a significant influence on the probability of pest detection. However, by better targeting inspection efforts, it is shown that plant inspection effort could be reduced without increasing the risk of pest entry. Similarly, for most of the plants analysed, an increase in volume traded will not necessarily lead to an increase in the number of pests entering the UK. For some species, such as Carthamus and Veronica, the volume of flowers traded has a significant and positive impact on the likelihood of pest detection. We conclude that analysis at the rank of plant Genus is important both to understand the effectiveness of plant pest detection efforts and consequently to manage the risk of introduction of non-indigenous species.

Global commodity networks, ethical trade and governmentality: organizing business responsibility in the Kenyan cut flower industry

This paper engages critically with current ethical trading practice in the global cut flower trade, focusing on the specific case of Kenyan export production for European markets. Notions of governmentality are adopted in the analysis, in order to understand the rationalities and materialities that underpin the organizational geographies of business responsibility in this context, and serve to re‐regulate the trading network. Mentalities of stakeholding and practices of auditing are shown to play prominent roles in this process. However, it is argued that regulatory contradictions associated with the audit economy place organizational limits on the effective practice of ethical trade.

Retailers, knowledges and changing commodity networks: the case of the cut flower trade

This paper presents a theory-inflected consideration of how UK retailers play an active role in shaping the character of the international cut flower trade. More particularly, the centrality of knowledge to this role is examined. It is suggested that the metaphor of the network most effectively captures the vast webs of interdependent relationships that constitute the trade in cut flowers, while the metaphor of the circuit is used to understand the flow of knowledge through this network. The development and application of business knowledge by UK retailers, in the context of exchange relationships with flower producers in Kenya, is discussed. The author's preliminary field interviews with these agents are drawn upon, in order to demonstrate how the power of retailers to influence change in the cut flower trade hinges on their capacity to adapt complex networks in their favour and to circulate particular kinds of knowledge around these networks.

Zantedeschia aethiopica and Z. `Green Goddess' Responses to GA3 and Bonzi for Cut Flower Calla Lily Production in Florida

Zantedeschia aethiopica, the large white calla lily, and Z. `Green Goddess', which is white with a unique green blush on the lip, are two cultivars popular in the floral cut flower trade. Both were treated with gibberellic acid (GA3) for increased flower development, a technique routinely successful for potted calla production but not previously reported effective on cut flowers. Two winter trials in successive years were replicated under Florida growing conditions. A preplant bulb dip of GA3 ranged from 100 to 250 ppm. Z. aethiopica control plants averaged 1.3 flowers per plant, which increased to 3.4 with GA3 in the first trial and from 1.6 to 2.5 in the second trial. `Green Goddess' went from 1.3 to 3.8 flowers per plant and 0.9 to 3.3, respectively. Bonzi was applied at either a short (10.2–12.7 cm) or tall (30.5–38.1 cm) height, with greater effect when shorter. A drench application of 2 mg a.i. per pot shortened foliage more than flower height with 32% reduction on foliage and 12% on flowers for Z. aethiopica and 44% and 33% respectively on `Green Goddess'. Results favor use of GA3 on cut flowers for increased flower production, but discourage Bonzi because shortened heights are normally undesirable for cut flowers.

DETERMINATION OF SEASONAL FLOWERING PATTERNS FOR HELICONIA IN HAWAII THROUGH GROWER SALES RECORDS

More than three dozen species of Heliconia have entered the cut flower trade since the expanded interest in bold tropical cut flowers began in the early 1980s. Most were wild-collected originally with little information on their habitats or season of bloom. A natural flowering season for some species can be found in the taxonomic literature, but it may be influenced locally by rainfall and drought periods as well as by photoperiod and therefore not reliable in indicating production periods in Hawaii. Sales records from 1984 through 1990 or several heliconia growers on Oahu reflected not only the quantities produced but also the time and duration of the blooming season. Such information is helpful in coordinating with the flower markets. Heliconia species of commercial interest with strong seasonal flowering periods are noted: angusta, bihai, caribaea, caribaea X bihai, collinsiana, farinosa, lingulata, rostrata, sampaioana, stricta, subulata, wagneriana.