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.