FLORICULTURE IN KARNATAKA AND

SAMPLE SELECTION

Floriculture in larnataka and Sam~le Selection

2.1: Introduction ;

Floriculture is an industry which has tremendous potential in India. The

different types of climatic conditions provide for the possibility of growing almost

all the major cut flower species of the world, either fkom tropical, subtropical or

temperate climate origin. The demand for traditional flowers for religious

purposes is quite large, especially around the temple towns. The production.

harvesting and marketing of traditional flowers for local marketing are typical

women's activities. However these flowers are produced in open field conditions

mostly during the mild winter months without use of any advanced technology. As

a result the quality and the quantity available for marketing are quiet

heterogeneous and vary according to the prevailing weather conditions.

Recently large scale commercial companies have started to invest in the

Floriculture sector, sometimes in a joint venture agreement with foreign

companies. These ventures aim at the production of high quality flower production

to supply the local market throughout the year but also for export. Greenhouse

technology is being introduced from abroad with high investment cost which is not

adapted or affordable by the small scale women producers. Unless appropriate

technical guidance is provided to the small growers, there is a high risk that they

become less competitive and might progressively be excluded from floriculture

industry.

The consumers' demand from abroad is based on high quality products,

with additional requirements for the growing conditions which should be in line

with environment/presewation standards, implying reduced use of pesticides and

other agro chemicals. These criteria cannot be met by the small scale Indian flower

producers under the current production systems. The demand for quality flowers is

sustained throughout the year both in India and abroad. The consumers' demand

b m abroad is high for products of high quality, grown in an environment Friendly

way, with less cost of energy, and other inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. It is

more specifically during the winter months that the demand for quality flowers for

export is high. During the winter months when the demand for quality flowers for

export is high, the range of flowers available on the market is more restricted. The

production costs are high as a consequence of expenses incurred for heating and

supplementary lighting. In India, there are favourable sites with a comparative

advantage which could become or remain competitive for the small farmers,

provided adequate simple and low cost greenhouse technology is applied. Further

more there is a favourable commercial situation to develop a Floriculture Grower's

scheme as an expansion of the emerging commercial growers allowing the

independent entrepreneurship for women floriculture producers.

A major component of the Centrally Sponsored Government Scheme for

Commercial Floriculture during the Eighth Plan (1992-1997) has been the setting

up of nine Modem Floriculture Centres (MCFs), at different locations in the

country. These MCFs have to serve as the focal units for regional development of

floriculture. A major mandate for these centres is the transfer of technologies

through on farm demonstrations and training.

In view of the importance of the growing flower sector, steps have also been taken

to improve marketing inftastructures for both traditional and commercial cut

flowers. Auction houses have been set up in Bangalore, Chandigarh and

Trivandrurn. Similar auction houses are planned for other parts of the country,

while export orientated auction houses have been proposed for Bombay, Delhi and

Bangalore. During the Ninth Five year plan (1997-2002) it is also proposed to

create additional local marketing structures in the major production zones.

The State Department of Agriculture (Horticulture Division) has extension

emice facilities which can be used for the transfer of the demonstrated

technology. The Government of India is requesting the assistance of FAOfs

Technical Co operation Programme in order to introduce and demonstrate adapted

simple greenhouse technology to the small scale traditional flower producers, most

of whom are women. The assistance would allow to lay the technical

firndamentals for improved technological know how and crop management skills

for the production of high quality flowers and ornamental plants throughout the

year. The programme would be implemented at three selected Modern Centres for

Floriculture already established by the Government and will be operated by the

Horticulture Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, which has an extension

service for the transfer of the demonstrated technology. In addition, the extension

service network of the Agricultural Universities and Agricultural Research

Stations in the region could also be used for this transfer. The MCFs, the regional

Agricultural Universities and Research Institutes form a strong national

framework to ensure the technical and institutional support for the continuation

and the expansion of the activities initiated by the project.

2.2: Floriculture across States :

Commercial floriculture has been of recent origin though the traditional

flower cultivation has been going on for centuries. Emphasis has been shifting

from traditional flowers to cut flowers for export purposes. The liberalization of

the economy since 1991-92 has given an impetus to the Indian entrepreneurs for

establishing export oriented floriculture units under controlled climatic conditions.

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana have emerged as major

floriculture centres in recent times. In 1999-2000, the total area under floriculture

cultivation was about 88607 ha with a production of 5.09 lakh tonnes of loose

f ~ ~ w m and 6806 lakh (numbers) of cut flowers.

Table 2.1 explicates that there has been a quantum jump in the area under

flowers from 1996-97 to 1999-00. It indicates that thee has been an increase of

around 4500 hectares annually. Similarly the traditional flower production in loose

also increased from 3.6 lakh tones to 5.09 lakh tones during the four year period.

The cut flower has not shown an equal amount of change. This demonstrates the

potential of the traditional floriculture sector in the nascent globalization situation.

Table 2.1: State-Wise Area and Production of Flowers

Source: CMIE Publications, Agriculture 2004

Export of floriculture products is valued at Rs.lOO crores. There has been

an impressive growth in the export of cut flowers from Rs.1 crore in 1987-88 to

Rs.100 crores in 1998. More than 170 Export Oriented Units (EOUs) have been

approved in the sector out of which 70 units are operational. But many of them

operate at less than 50 per cent of their capacity. With the growing

competitiveness, floriculture units in India have been facing several constraints

and with the redressal of the problems, the industry may turn around to become

viable enterprise for earning foreign exchange. The growing consumption of cut

flowers in the European countries is of any indication, there is a remarkable

promise for the floriculture in the near future. Table 2.2 shows that there has been

a consistent growth in the consumption of cut flowers. In the late nineties, the

growth has been notable. This indicates that the consumption of cut flowers could

be increasingly supply driven. In the nineties with the relaxation of trade

restrictions cut flowers are reaching the European markets easily. Though it is a

chicken egg kind of situation, it exhibits signs of supply driven increase in

consumption.

Table 2.2: Consumption of cut flowers 1990-2000 in some European countries (ECU million)

Source: DGCI & S Reports.

As discussed earlier, Japan has been one of the major importers of flowers

from India due to its relaxation in import duties for flowers from India.

Netherlands is another most favoured destination for entry into the European

markets. Table 2.3 shows that the export earnings from floriculture have increased

by ten times during the nineties. European countries alone import more than 75 per

cent of India's floricultural export products.

Table 2.3: Major Countries Importing Indian Floricultural Products

( Countries I 13.43 I 112.14 Source: DGCI & S Reports.

UAE USA

E Nethodand

The major floricultural products exported from India remains to be dried

flowers and ornamental plants both live and dried. Table 2.4 exhibits that the

growth of cut flowers exports in the nineties is spectacular. It has increased fiom

R~-39.9 lakhs in 1991-92 to Rs.1894 lakhs in 1997-98. Dried flowers also had

registered equal growth rates. Thus, it indicates the growth potential of cut flowers

and dried flowers.

Table 2.4: Variety-wise Exports of India's Floricultural Products (Rs Lakhs)

Source:

Indian floriculture industry has been shifting from traditional flowers to cut

flowers for export purposes. The liberalized economy has given an impetus to the

Indian entrepreneurs for establishing export oriented floriculture units under

controlled climatic conditions. About 60,000 ha area is under floriculture at

present. Production of flowers is estimated to be around 200,000 tonnes of loose

flowers and 500 million (numbers) of cut flowers. In India, Maharashtra,

~arnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana have emerged as major floriculture

Variety 1 Cut Flowers 2 Dried Flowers 3 Live Plants 4 Dried Plants 5 Bulbs Total

DGCI & S Reports.

1991-92 39.90 643.51 401.53 239.87 120.58

1,445.39

1997-98 1,894.12 5,327.30 67 1.20 483.54 298.08

8,674.24

in recent times. At present, the internal demand for cut-flower and

plants is mainly met through production at coastal areas of Kerala

mainly Cochin k Trivandnun.

There is also a tremendous potential for growing these plants, on

commercial scale, along the coastal regions in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,

Tarnil Nadu, and Karnataka, besides the Western Ghats. The most promising area

is the dry flower industry. Dried flower and plants have been exported for the last

30 years and today, India is one of the leading countries in the field. In Rajasthan,

more than 7,000 tonnes of rose are produced. About 75 per cent of this is exported

to West Asian countries in the form of dry petals. Not just flowers, but other plant

parts like leaves, stems and pods are also used in the dry flower industry.

Flower trade in India is flourishing as many research centers and special

nurseries have turned into a promising business. Exports of floriculture products

were valued at Rs.700 million (US$ 20 million). There has been an impressive

growth in the export of cut flowers fiom Rs.10 million to Rs.700 million in the

previous years. Besides these developments, due to the efforts of Institute for

Horticultural research in Bangalore and Institute for Botanical Research, in 1970,

another impetus was given to the business of cultivating flowers with the

establishment of the "Project for Improving Horticulture in India".

Government of India has taken up many initiatives to promote this

promising industry. In the VIII Plan, Rs. 17 Crores for the setting up 1 1 Model

Floricultural Centres and another Rs.40 crores in the Ninth Plan were earmarked

under the centrally sponsored scheme for commercial floriculture. The 11 Model

Fl~ricultural Centres (MFCS) in public sector are now operational in Srinagar in

Jammu and Kashmi, Bangalore in Karnataka, Trivandrum in Kerala, Pune in

Maharashtra, Mohali in Punjab, Gangotok in Sikkim, Ooty in Tamil Nadu,

Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and Calcutta in West Bengal. Two more are in AP and

~ i m a c h d Pardesh. In the IX Plan, it was proposed to set up another 5 MFCS in

addition to strengthening the existing ones with an outlay of Rs.40 crores.

In the Tenth Plan, the Government of India proposed 45 Agriculture Export

Zones (AEZ) in 19 states which are expected to be the vehicles of growth. Out of

these, 5 are meant for floriculture with 188.09 crores, one zone each in Kamataka.

Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal and Sikkim, depending upon the

comparative advantage and the local advantage.

The Indian flowers are either exported to world over in the form of seeds or

capsules or dried flowers. This industry has gained popularity due to the presence

of exclusive varieties of ornamental flowers grown in India. Rose, Marigold,

Chrysanthemum and Mogra are some of the mostly sold varieties.

2.3: Horticulture in Karnataka :

Horticulture covers an area of 15.30 lakh hectares in the State with a

production of about 118 lakh M.T. The focus of horticulture policy is on area

expansion, dissemination of new technology, production and supply of planting

materials, credit, effective plant protection, post-harvest management and hi-tech

horticulture.

a. Production and supply of planting material:

A lot of impetus are provided for mass multiplication of all kinds of

planting materials in all the 415 horticultural farms and nurseries of the

department and supplied to f m e r s at affordable rates. As for vegetables, efforts

are limited only to the production of foundation and certified seeds. Distribution of

important horticultural grafts/ seedlings to the farmers in the State from 2000-01 to

2002-03 are given in Table 2.5.

Table 2.5: Details of seedlings of horticultural crops distributed to farmers

Unit 1 .Fruits 2.Coconut 3.Spice crops 4.Veg.seeds (000kgs.) 5.Cashew

6. Plant protection:

The Horticulture department subsidizes the supply of plant protection

chemicals and plant protection equipment to farmers, and also provides literature

to create awareness among farmers and educate the cultivators about different

plant protection measures, for the control of pests and diseases such as Eriophyid

Mite, Black Headed Caterpillar, Stem Bleeding, Tomato Leaf Curl Virus,

Whirling Whitefly, etc. The. Eriophyid mite has seriously affected coconut

lakhs

2000-01 135.00 6.7 1 4.75

5 80.00

0.17 I I

6. Flowers I 9.00 19.90 16.90 Source: Directorate of Horticulture

2001-02 138.00 6.12 2.1 1 600.00

10.13

2002- 03 . 126.00 5.55 17.00 540.00

5.85

production from the last two years. The Department has taken up several control

measures to combat the coconut mite menace. During 2001-02, Rs.11.00 crores

has been spent on plant protection chemicals and necessary materials. During

2002-03, Rs.4.60 crores has been allocated for demonstration on control of mite

infracted coconut tree.

The Department has controlled the slug caterpillar which affected coconut

and areca nut in Shimoga district by taking timely plant protection measures. To

control B-biotype whitefly and tomato leaf curl virus disease, training programmes

were arranged for field staff as well as farmers in Kolar district, with the

assistance of the Department of Agriculture, UAS and PDBC and IPM scientists

who suggested plant protection measures to control B-type whiteflies.

There are 21 major and 42 mini laboratories in the Department which

produced and released 252 lakhs parasites in black headed caterpillar af'fccted

coconut gardens, about 24,732 farmers benefited during 2001-02 and during 2002-

03 (up to the end of December 2002) 182 lakh parasites produced and released

benefiting 9033 farmers.

c. Credit:

NABARD credit facilities for the horticulture sector in the last three years

and projections for the year 2002-03, are as furnished in Table 2.6. It indicates a

decline in the physical achievements but the financial achievement exhibits a

moderate increase. This expounds the perceptible increase in the size (amount) of

the loan to horticulture crops due to investments in capital intensive modem

floriculture units.

Table 2.6: Credit Facilities provided to Horticulture by NABARD Yeac Physical (ip hectares) Financial (Rs.lakhs) 1999-2000 46,796 24.233.22

d Post-harvest linkages:

The Horticultural Producers' Co-operative Marketing and Processing

Society Ltd (HOPCOMS) is reorganizing marketing of fruits and vegetables

grown in the State. There are about 41 8 retail outlets working in Rangalore Urban

and Rural, Kolar, Mandya, Mysore, Dakshina Kannada. Hassan, Tumkur and

Chikkamagalur handling about 100-1 20 M.T. everyday. There are also 16 district

level co-operative societies working on similar lines of HOPCOMS in other than

HOPCOMS area. The Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and

Export Corporation (KAPPEC) have been established to promote export of the

horticultural produce. The Corporation is undertaking export business as joint

venture with other companies. During 2001-02, KAPPEC has handled 1.39 lakh

M.T. of produce and its turnover was Rs.237.98 crores and earned a net profit of

Rs.5.67 crores. During 2002-03, it has handled 0.24 lakh M.T produce with a

turnover of Rs.42.67 crores up to the end of December 2002. There are in all 52

Cold Storages working in the State, in public. private, as well as Co-operative

sectors. To make the existing cold storages more economic and to encourage the

establishment of new cold storages in private/Co-operative sectors, a subsidy of

Re.l/- per unit consumption of electricity, is being given. An amount of Rs.21.36

lakhs was provided benefiting 34 cold storages during 2000-0 1. During 200 1 -02,

an amount of Rs.9.32 lakhs was provided benefiting 33 cold Storages. During

2002-03 (up to the end of October), an amount of Rs. 18.39 lakhs has been given to

34 Storages.

2.4: Modem Floriculture ;

Floriculture industry in India comprises florist trade, nursery plants and

potted plants, seed and bulb production, micro-propagation and extraction of

essential oil fiom flowers. Even though traditional flower cultivation has been

going on in India for centuries together, Indian cut flower industry for export

purposes has been of recent origin. The policy of economic liberalization of the

economy since 1991-92 had given an impetus to the Indian entrepreneurs for

establishing 100 per cent export oriented floriculture units under controlled

climatic conditions. However, by their very nature, these units are high cost

investments and hence these units have come up mostly under the corporate

sector. The expert committee set up by Govt. of India for promotion of export

oriented floriculture units has identified Bangalore, Pune, New Delhi and

Hyderabad as the major areas suitable for such activity especially for cut flowers.

APEDA is the registering authority for such units.

Around 90 units with 100 per cent EOUs have been set up in the last five

years with an investment of over 200 crores. Most of them however, are running

into losses today, mainly because of infrastructural weaknesses like lack of cold

storages and handling facilities at the airports, high air freight charges, frequent

disruption in time schedule of flights and lack of round the week cargo clearing

facility at the airports. The reluctance of banks to fund projects because of poor

past performance is also sighted by many as another major reason for the relative

failure of the industry. Ironically, experts consider the quality of flowers produced

in India as excellent and having tremendous export potential.

Ornamental plant research in India is of recent origin. During early years,

research in floriculture did not get much attention. Floriculture research was

shngthened with the establishment of Division of Floriculture and Landscape

Gardening at the rmR, Bangalore, in 1969 and Division of Vegetable Crops and

Floriculture at the IAN, New Delhi, in 1971. The All-India Coordinated

Floriculture Improvement Project was also started by the ICAR during 1970-7 1.

The Division of Floriculture and Landscaping was established in 1983 at the IAM,

New Delhi. Simultaneously research work on ornamental crops was started in

different agricultural universities and research institutes.

2.5: Varieties and Varietal8 lm~rovement :

India holds a very rich germplasm collection of different ornamental crops,

which consists of both indigenous and exotic plants. Work on varietal

improvement has been carried out utilizing large diversity in germplasm, and

significant achievements have been made in developing new ornamental varieties

with many superior traits. Various flowers, their varieties and varietal

improvements are given below.

2.5.1: Rose :

Rose breeding has received the highest importance in India, and as a result

about 545 rose varieties were evolved during the last 55 years. The main objective

of rose improvement has been to evolve varieties with attractive flower colour,

form and fragrance, floriferousness, disease and pest resistance, and suitability for

growing under tropical and subtropical conditions.

There are three types of commercially grown roses. They are Hybrid Tea,

:loribundas and Spray roses. Only hybrid tea and floribundas are grown under

p e n house for export in India. The hybrid tea types are having a long stem that

~aries fiom 50-120 crns and big size blooms fiom 3.02-3.5 crns. These flowers are

,igger and more often tender than the floribunda type under ideal conditions. This

ype is expected to yield about 140-180 stems per sq. mtr but under Indian

zonditions the average yield obtained by many units is 100-130 stems per sq.mtr.

These flowers are liked mainly in USA, Japan and other European countries. They

fetch higher price than Floribundas. As planting is done with a close density, it

inhibits branches. Such plants grow up to a height of 2meters.

Floribundas or sweethearts type produce flowers with stem length of 35-60

crns and bud size from 2.0-2.5 crns. They yield much higher than hybrid teas

producing as many as 300 flowers per sq. mtr per year but the average yield

obtained under Indian conditions is around 130- 150 stems per sq. mtr. These types

of flowers are much popular with the Dutch and German Consumers. These

flowers fetch around 30-40 per cent less price than the hybrid tea.

According to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education,

ICAR, Government of India, in 1999-2000, rose varieties like Dr. B. P. Pal, Blue

Delight, Anurag, Ashirwad, Ico, Ambassador, Blue Ocean and Aditya were

promising at the national level; Ashirwad, Anurag and Siddhartha for exhibition

purpose; Black Delight, Blue Ocean and Aditya for garden display and Ico,

Ambassador and Kanchi for cut and loose flowers at Hyderabad.

2.5.2: Gladiolus :

Gladiolus is one of the most important bulbous flowering crops grown

commercially for cut-flower trade in India. 'l'he main emphasis on gladiolus

improvement has been on the development of varieties having attractive colour

and large size of florets mainly for cut-flower, long spikes, more number of well

spaced and large-sized florets, good corm multiplication ability and field

resistance to diseases, particularly 1:usarium wilt. The success of G.Psittacinus

hybrid at the NBRI inspired research in evolving different coloured varieties

suitable for growing in the plains and resulted in the release o f 1 1 cultivars.

Notable among these are Jwala, Priyadarshini and Gaxal, all of which are open-

pollinated selections. Further, through systematic hybridization involving

gladiolus Friendship (2n = 60) with G. tristis (2n = 30), 8 new triploid (2n = 45)

cultivars were evolved.

According to DARE, Gladiolus Shagun and Shringarika were released by

Delhi centre. Hybrids Arnal and Tambri performed well at Vellanikkara. Gladiolus

Snow White, Suchitra, Punjab Morning, Jester, Aldrion, Golden, Wave and

Thrombolina were promising at Hyderabad.

2.5.3: Chrvsanthemum :

chrysanthemum is recognized as a potent flower crop in India. I t is used as

a cut flower for interior decoration and as a loose P~,wer t;,r ~naking garlands.

wreathes and for religious offerings. Work on evolving new ch~santhemum

varieties has been under way mainly at the NBRI, Lucknow, and the I I ~ I R ,

Bangalore. The aim of breeding chrysanthemum has been to evolve exhibition. cut

{lower and garland types. A new approach has also been adopted to breed

varieties, which naturally bloom in different months without light and temperature

control. At the HEIR, Bangalore, emphasis had been on breeding high-yielding

cultivars for garland and pot-culture and 5 new cultivars have been developed. 'l'hc

PAU, Ludhiana, and TNAU, Coimbatore, each has evolved 4 cultivars. Apart from

institutional efforts, some amateur and professional growers have also developed a

good number of chrysanthemum cultivars.

According to DARE in 1999-2000, at Lucknow, a new small-flowered, red,

Anemone type, mini chrysanthemum variety, Diana, was released. A desirable

natural mutant was isolated and multiplied in Nilima and a promising hybrid 87-

17- 1 was identified for future release at Hessaraghatta,

New varieties, Mutant No.9 (for cut flower and loose flowers) and Hybrid

No. 10, Hybrid No.11, Hybrid No. 12, Hybrid No. 13, Sunil, Indira, Sonaly, l'ara,

Selection 5 and Shyamal (for loose flowers) were suitable for commercial flower

production. Shyamal, Baggi, IIHR Se1.5 and Indira were promising at I'une.

whereas Basanti, Sharadmala. Baggi, Red Gold, Co.1. IlI1R 13 and Vusantiha at

].iyderabad. Indira, IIHR Sel 6, Meera and Red Gold pcrfonned &ell in respect of

flower yield at Udaipur.

2.5.4: Carnation :

Carnation is an important cut-flower crop in the world florist trade.

tiowever, commercial cultivation of carnation in India is in infancy. Systematic

work on the production of new cultivars has not yet becn takcn up. At thc IARI.

New Delhi, mutation-breeding experiments of different lincs of'c;jmaticm rrw~l trd

in some interesting mutants with variegated leaf.

2.5.5: Gerbera :

Gerbera is an attractive cut-flower crop, and the flowers last for a longer

duration in vase. The magnitude of the genetic diversity has been studicd in 3 1

strains of Gerbera utilizing 9 characters. Significant differences exist between

varieties for all the 9 characters. The studv indicated the mcsence of wide genetic

diversity among the strain

Bougainvillea is an important and popular flowering plant grown widely

throughout the country. Through hybridization, sports and mutation breeding.

about 150 varieties have been developed in India. The Division of 1:loriculture and

Landscaping, IARI, New Delhi, has been designated as the International

Registration Authority for Bougainvillea Cultivars, and the tirst checklist

described more than 300 cultivars of bougainvillea. kIowcver. breeding work is

hampered largely because of the extensive pollen and seed sterility or both. 'l'he

choice of female and male parents is limited only to relatively Sertile types, which

more often are not good cultivars. However, fertility can be restored by the

colchicine-induced polyploidy which has given a wider choice for breeding

bougainvillea cultivars. Thus a number of very promising, colourful and

floriferous, often bi-coloured, hybrid bougainvillea (triploid, tctraploid and

aneuploid) ideal for pot-culture have become handy. Blotched-bract varieties like

Begum Sikander, Wajid Ali Shah and Mary Palmer Special providc a visual feast

in pots.

Five varieties of bougainvillea developed by Dr B P Pal in 1959, viz. Dr K

k Pal, Sonnet, Stanza, Spring Festival and Summer Time, are popular even today.

At Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Bombay, several varieties were

developed through mutation breeding with the use of gamma rays. The IIIIR,

Rangalore, has also released 6 cultivars, viz. Chitravati, Dr I I B Singh, Jawahar

La1 Nehru, Purple Wonder, Sholay, and Usha. A colchicine-induced mutant with

bright magenta bracts has been isolated from cv Zakariana. A number of

seedlings and bud sports with variegated leaves are now undcr

evaluation.

2.5.7: Hibiscus :

In hibiscus, hybridization and selection work at the IIlIR, Rangalore. has

led to the release of 25 varieties which are floriferous and bear attractive flowers.

The TNAIJ, Coimbatore, has developed an inter-generic hybrid (tlibiscus

rosasinensis x Malvaiscus arboreus) named l'hilagum (Carmine red) in addition to

a seedling selection Punnagai. Another hybrid named Co 1 hibiscus has also bccn

released by the TNAU. It is floriferous and produces apricot-yellow llowcrs with

signal-red throat. Lalbagh, Bangalore, has also developed 22 attractivc varieties.

2.5.8: Jasmine (or Kakada) : --

Systematic research work on jasmine breeding was first started at the

TNAU, Coimbatore, in early seventies, and at the IIHK, Bangalore, in mid-

seventies. J. auriculatum, J.sambac and J.grandiflorum are commercially important

sources of fresh flower and perfume. The objective of breeding for high essence

oil content in jasmine differs from that of the fresh flower market. For essence oil

extraction, the objective is high oil productivity. Flowers with short corolla tube

and high yield are preferred, since the corolla tube contributes rnostly plant \\axes.

The objectives for breeding of jasmine for fresh flower marhct arc high yield of

lower buds spread over many months of the year. long and sot1 corolla tube.

bolder buds and better keeping quality. The 'I-NAU. Coimbatorc. has rclcascd 3

varieties of J. auriculatum and 2 varieties in J. grandif'orum. Initially. work carried

out in J. auriculatum led to the identification of a high-yielding. gall-mite-resistant

clone Parimullai. The clone is characterized by long flowering season of 9 ~nonths

with flower bud yield of 7,800 kg/ha and concrete recovery of' 0.34 per ccnt.

Subsequently, the University released Co.1 Mullai and Co.2 Mullai. 'l'hc yield of'

flower buds in Co.2 Mullai is reported to be 8,800 kglho with 0.34 per cent

concrete recovery. Co.2 Mullai is a cross between a mutant ( s l ) x Long Point (JA

1). It yields 1,100 kg flower budslha accounting for an increase of 26.88 per cent

over Co.1 Mullai. In J. granditlorum, Co.1 Pitchi is a cloned selection from

1,ucknow type which yields 10,000 kg flower budslha with concrete recovery of

0.29 per cent. Co.2 Pitchi is an induced mutant li-om Co. I . which yields 1 1. 600 kg

of flower budska, and concrete recovery is of 0.30 per ccnt. Surabhi a high-

yielding variety from J. grandiflorum has been developed by cloned selcction at

the IIHR, Bangalore. The potential flower yield is 10,000 kgha with high concrete

recovery.

2.5.9: Orchids : --

Orchids produce remarkably attractive flowers with long lasting quality.

Conventional plant breeding has contributed to the generation of wide range of

hybrids in orchids. In India, breeding work on orchids was started at the IIHR,

ang gal ore, during mid-seventies. The institute has developed 2 hybrids, viz. 1lHR

164 and IIHR 38, in Vanda and Dendrobium respectively.

2.5.10: Dahlia :

Dahlias with their most gorgeously coloured flowers are very popular in the

Indian gardens and are widely used for garden display and indoor decoration. In

dahlia, several varieties have been developed under giant decorative (1 I ) , medium

decorative (6), small decorative (6) and cactus group (I ) , all by amateur growers.

Hippeastrum is an important cut-flower, grown in beds, borders and pots.

Several varieties have been released by the NBRI, 1,ucknow. They include cv.

Kiran a triploid, cv. Samrat a tetraploid and Jyoti a semi-double. The IARI, New

Delhi, has released a variety called Suryakiran. A variety named Anjali has been

developed from an inter-varietal cross between Bouquet and White Favorite.

2.5.12: Tuberose :

In India, tuberose occupies a prime position in floriculture industry. Two

mutants, viz. Rajat Rekha and Swarna Rekha in single flowered and double

flowered tuberose, respectively, were obtained through gamma irradiation ( I to 5

kr) at the NBRI. In Rajat Rekha there are silvery white streaks along the middle of

the blade, whereas in Swarna Rekha golden-yellow streaks are present along the

margins of the blade.

2.5.13: Crotons :

Crotons are popular ornamental shrubs with colourful and attractively

shaped leaves. Most of the breeding work on varietal development of this crop has

been carried out at Lalbagh, Bangalore, and at the IIHR, Bangalore. At the IIHR,

Bangalore, 15 hybrids of crotons have been developed.

2.5.14: Barleria :

Barleria is an evergreen shrub and is commercially grown for production of

loose flowers. The TNAU has released a variety Co.1 Barleria. It is a clonal

selection from the local type, and bears attractive pink flowers, producing on an

average 2.1 1 kg of flowers/plant/year.

2.5.15: Amaranthus :

Systematic hybridization and selection programme in amaranthus has

resulted in the development of 8 cvs, viz. Amar Kiran, Amar Poet, Amar Prithu,

Amar Parvati, Amar suikiran, Amar Tarang, Amar Raktab and Amar Mosaic.

'These represent various combinations of leaf shape and colour, and are entirely

new to floriculture trade. A telraploid cultivar Amar Tetra was evolved through

colchicine-polyploidy. Amar Shola, a hybrid amaranth, is a selection from a cross

within Amaranthus caudatus complex involving a grain type and an ornamental

type.

2.5.16: Antirrhinum :

Tetra giant snapdragons were raised at the NBRI, Lucknow, from some F1

hybrids. The resultant tetraploids are hardier, sturdier, stockier and shorter than

corresponding diploids. They have generally more flowering stems with

conspicuously larger, deeper-coloured flowers, that are long-lasting than their

diploid counterparts.

2.5.17: China Aster :

From the germplasm collections at the IIHR, Bangalore, 25 pure lines were

developed by a single plant selection. Of these AST 1 and AST 2 were found very

promising. Hybridization followed by repeated selection resulted in 6 promising

pure lines, which were numbered IIHR 35, IIHR 18, IIHR 19, IIHR 26, IIHR 3 1

and IIHR 35. According to DARE in 1999-2000 China aster Kamini, Poornima,

Phule Ganesh Pink and Phule Ganesh Violet were recommended for release at the

national level.

In marigold, a F1 hybrid triploid has been developed at the NBRI,

Lucknow, by using male-sterile African diploid marigold (Tagetes erecta) and

male-fertile French tetraploid (T. patula). The F1 hybrids are dwarf, highly

floriferous and free flowering with uniform golden-yellow heads that bear nearly

one-and-a half times more flowers by weight per unit area. At the IAKI, New

Delhi, a F1 hybrid of French marigold obtained from crosses between Petite

Orange x Rusty Red and Naughty Marrieta x Pygmy showed increase in the

weight and number of flowers respectively than that of parents. In African

marigold, F1 hybrids between Hawaii x Cupid Orange and Alaska x Spungold

were superior to parents.

2.5.19: Hollvhock :

At the IARI, 4 F1 hybrids have been developed from inter-varietal crosses

in hollyhock. These are Pusa Apricot Supreme, Pusa Pastel Pink Supreme, Pusa

Pink Beauty and Pusa Yellow Beauty.

2.5.20: Zinnia :

By recurrent selection from the irradiated seeds of Zinnia elegance, a mixed

coloured variety resistant to leaf-curl virus, has been evolved at the IARI, New

Delhi.

2.6: Production of Floriculture in Karnataka :

Karnataka has the largest area under floriculture among the states in India.

It has around 30 per cent of the total area under floriculture in India. 'Ihe growth

rate of the floriculture sector is also highly encouraging. Interestingly, the growth

rate of production is perceptibly higher than the growth rate of area under flower

cultivation. Table 2.7 explicates that the growth of production is amazingly higher

in the Central Region than the growth rate of area indicating the increase in the

productivity of the crops and intensive cultivation. In the Northern Dry region

both the area and production have displayed higher growth rates demonstrating the

increase in production due to increase in area. Floriculture is relatively new in the

region. Similar trend is noticed in the Southern region covering Mysore, Mandya

and Hassan. Conversely, in the Hill and Coastal regions the growth rate of

production is considerably lower than the growth rate of area under flower

cultivation. Thus, it clearly manifests that floriculture is being widely spread in

Karnataka while the intensive cultivation is being practiced in the Central region

covering Bangalore and the adjacent districts.

Table 2.7: DistrCct-wise Annual Compound Rates of Area and Production of Floriculture (Between 1980-81 and 1999-2000)

Source: Thippaiah, P. (2005) Floriculture in Kamataka: Performance, Problems and Prospects, Research Report: ix/ADRT/lOS, p.30.

Table 2.8: District wise Average Yield of Flowers in Karnataka (Tonnes per

Source: Thippaiah, P. (2005) Floriculture in Karnataka: Performance, Problems and Prospects, Research Report: ix/ADRT/lOS, p3 1.

hectare)

Magalur Kodagu

, Shimoga Total

0.00 5.55 5.60

1.54 3.99 5.95

1.54 -1.56 0.35

0.00 -28.04 26.87

Corroborating the findings of the area and production, the average yield of

flowers in the Central region in Kamataka demonstrates the remarkable increase

during the period 1982-83 to 1ST99-00 (Table 2.8). Hence Central region is

selected for the study objectively and purposively. In the Central region,

Bangalore district has demonstrated the higher increase in the yield. Across the

districts, Bellary has shown very high change in the yield of flowers. In the

Northern Dry region all the other districts, save Bijapur, have reported a decline in

the productivity. This could be attributed to the lack of infrastructure and market

to absorb the increase in the production of flowers. The Central region having

proximity to the Bangalore city infrastructure has many natural advantages to

absorb the growth in the sector.

Table 2.9: Changes in Area and Production of different flowers in Karnataka

% Producti

Major Flowers

1

and prosp&&, Research Report: ixlADRTI105, p3 3.

Rose Chrysanthem

Area I Production ~ r i e n n i kriennikrienni l~rienni urn ending 1982-83

534 1137

Area increa

urn ending 1999- 00

1762 3157

Producti% on

urn ending 1982-83

area

1326 6195

urn ending 1999-00

3586 23493

se

1228 2019

increase

2260 17297

increa se to total

on increase to total

8.27 13.61

2.49 19.08

Across flower crops, Marigold, Chrysanthemum and Jasmine have been

=porting a significant increase in the area and production over the period (Table

2.9). These are the major flower crops cultivated in the state. Tube rose is also

registering a noticeable growth during the nineties. All the flower crops have

shown a notable increase in the area and production. It manifests the promise this

sector holds for the future.

2.6.1: Disease and Pest Management :

Research is being carried out at various centres on the identification,

diagnosis and management of viruses occurring in carnation, chrysanthemum,

dahlia, gladiolus, hippeastrum, hollyhock, narcissus, petunia and zinnia. Attempts

have been made to produce virus-free plantlets in petunia and gladiolus. BYMV

has been eliminated from gladiolus. Antiviral agents have also been used to

eliminate virus in explants .cultivars. Chrysanthemum, crossandra, jasmine,

gladiolus and tuberose harbour a multitude of nematode pests, which cause

considerable economic losses. Root-knot nematode and lesion nematode are the

major problems in crossandra and chrysanthemum in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Some new agro-technologies such as the cropping system approach, new fertilizer

regime and irrigation schedule also provide a congenial environment for their

spread. In tuberose, integration of VAM fungi such as Glomus mossae and G.

fasciculaturn with neem cake or/and aldicarb gave effective control of root-knot

nematode-infective tuberose.

The industry can influence the market by changing demand through market

development, promotion, making product more attractive and desirable, improving

quality through post harvest value addition and attracting a new market which has

greater spending power, may change the demand line. The flower industry can

also change supply but is not likely to be as successfbl, i.e. if you reduce supply

you may get a marginal increase in price but buyers will change to alternative

products.

However, it is also possible to influence the profit margin and this has more

to do with the cost of production, cost of labour and cost of transport placing a

squeeze on the profit margin. This applies equally to everyone in the chain. Thew

is competition between exporters and other buyers. Competition impacts on prices.

However, even at this stage, there is an influence of competition for scarce

resources and the impact of supply and demand is alive. Scale of production gives

the grower some negotiating power with the buyer. The local market is an under-

exploited unorganized market.

Table 2.10: Consumption per capita of cut flowers 1990-2000 (ECU)

The per capita consumption demand for cut flowers has been on the surge

since the beginning of 1990s indicating the promise and potential of the sector. In

all the European Union coun&es the per capita consumption of cut flowers has

increased perceptibly. This indicates the growth of market for the sector. Table

2.10 indicates that the growth has been significant during the late nineties.

However, the terms of trade have been quite unfavourable to the agriculture

sector. Though both exports and imports have been growing considerably, the

growth of imports is notably higher than the exports and thus widening the gap.

Table 2.1 1 indicates that there has been a decline in the production of commercial

crops. This is a real cause for concern. Institutional credit has been on the rise and

this would M e r spurt due to the 2005-06 budget announcement of more liberal

institutional agricultural credit facilities made available. Hence, the aggregate

effect of availability of agricultural credit, establishment of special Agricultural

Export Zones and special Floriculture Export Zones would create an enabling

environment for the growth of commercial crop production particularly

diversification towards the highly labour intensive floriculture crops.

Table 2.11: Performance of Key parameters of agricultural development

Key Parameters I FY 2002-03 I FY 2003-04 -

Agricultural 1 -5.2% 19.1%**

Source:

Growth rate I Food grain 1 174.2 mn tones 1 210.8 mn. tonnes Production Commercial Crop production Institutional Credit availed Agri. Exports (April-Feb) Agri. Imports

, (April-Feb) Economic S w e y of India 2003-04 * Estimates **Advance Estimates

28 1.6mn.tonnes

Rs 70,8 10cr

$47,136mn

$54,877~111

244.8mn.tonnes

Rs 80,00Ocr*

$55,716mn

$69,034mn

2.8: Anriculture Exrwrrt Zone for Floriculture in Karnataka :

The AEZ concept is considered to be very effective for promoting exports

of floriculture products tiom Karnataka. An AEZ for the State of Karnataka for

Floriculture was approved on 1 3 ~ June, 2002 covering the districts of Bangalore

(Urban), Bangalore (Rural) and Kolar. The region covering the Bangalore Rural,

Bangalore Urban, Kolar, Tumkur and Kodagu districts of South Karnataka and

Belgaum district of North Karnataka are considered highly amenable to being

developed as AEZ for floriculture. Subsequently, by hrther expansion or in the

phase I1 of the project, Chitradurga district can also be included. These districts

have the maximum concentration of floriculture units and have suitable climate

and soil for the industry.

The other factors favouring the setting up the AEZ in this region are:

1) there are 35 hi-tech units in the area, with more than 100 ha area under hi-

'tech cultivation;

2) there are 150-200 medium-tech units with 40-50 ha area;

3) a large number of low tech units (progressive flower growers) are

producing cut flowers in the open;

4) India's first modem flower auction center has been finctioning at KAIC in

Bangalore since 1995. This center is being upgraded up to international

standards, with the assistance of APEDA; and

5) the Bangalore airport has a modern, recently built perishable cargo handling

facility.

The South India Floriculture Association gave a presentation on the status

of Floriculture. According to the presentation:-

1) Floriculture in India was promoted by Government of India by market

conditions prevailing in Europe in the early 90s'. Commercial production

started fkom 1993 onwards at a capital cost of Rs.2.75 crore per Ha. There

was a rapid increase in the number of units till 1997. Around 200 units

were registered during the period and about 65 were commissioned. The

units are located in four major regions viz. Bangalorel Hosur Belt, Pune-

Nasik Belt, Delhi and Hyderabad.

2) The major motivations to start the industry were low labour costs, abundant

arable land, water and sunlight and close proximity to international markets

and consuming countries.

3) Further, another major motivation to start the industry was that the

average annual price was high as Rs.14 per stem and expectation of

continued support from Government and financial institutions.

It was further submitted that the following blemishes were hampering the

floriculture industry to expand to its fill potential:-

1) The cost of capital was very high and the interest rate changed was as high

as 18 per cent.

2) The cost of infrastructure was very high as facilities such as green house,

plant material and cold storage have to be imported incurring high project

cost.

3) The amount spent on consultancy charges and royalty was exorbitant.

4) The fertilizers and chemicals required for this industry were imported.

5) There was inadequate and very expensive infrastructure especially lack of

cold storages at airports etc.

As a result of these handicaps there was low revenue due to lower sales

realization. There was also a lack of long term perspectives in marketing approach.

There was also a poor perception of Indian Quality. Further, even though

international prices declined year after year but the cost of production kept on

increasing. The marketing cost was very high due to low production volume.

The Association, therefore, suggested that the following measures to help

the floriculture industry:-

1) All schemes of support by APEDA, NHB and NABARD should be made

available to all units.

2) Debt burden should be reduced to promote unhindered growth.

3) The burden should be shared by the Floriculture Industry, Government and

Entrepreneurs.

4) The cost of capital should be reduced to compete with ACrica and Latin

America.

2.9: Summarv :

To sum up, floriculture sector has a very high potential in the nascent

globalization scenario. The favourable agro climatic conditions and the

government support facilitate the growth of the sector in leaps and bounds. The

huge infrastructural development and transport facilities open the market to the

globe. The consistent support from the government and Agricultural universities

enables the farmers and corporate people to seize the opportunities in the global

market. The University of Agricultural Sciences and IIHR and other Agricultural

Research Institutes in the State have contributed significantly in bringing out new

varieties periodically suitable to the changing agro climatic conditions. In addition,

their contribution in bringing new innovations in the pest management and other

techniques of production has been significant in the growth of the sector in the

State.

The growth of the floriculture is widely spread throughout the state.

However, the growth has been perceptible in the Central Region covering

Bangalore and adjacent districts. Hence, Bangalore Rural district is selected

objectively and purposively for the empirical study. The major traditional flowers

cultivated in the state include Rose, jasmine or Kakada, Kanakarnbra or

~~ossandra, and Tuberose. It was observed that growth of area and production

under Tuberose has been considerably higher than other crops due to its high

profit margin and easy cultivation practices. Since these four are the major

floriculhd crops cultivated under traditional methods of cultivation in the open

field, these four crops have been identified for the study.

The Establishment of new Agricultural Export Zones and Floricultural

~xpor t Zones in the state is also going to be another milestone in the growth of the

sector. The resultant build-up of infrastructure and market development would

facilitate the growth of traditional floriculture in the State.