Breeding and Seed Production of Ornamental Crops

Role of Plant Introduction in Floricultural Crops

Main purpose of introduction is to improve the economy of the country. Introduction has proved to be one of the most potential methods of crop improvement in commercial cut flower production because most of the commercial cultivars of different crops have been introduced in India.

Advantages of plant Introduction:

1. It provides entirely new crop plant which has not being grown earlier e.g. alstroemeria, bird-of-paradise etc.
2. It may provide superior variety directly or after selection or hybridization. Many superior varieties of different floricultural crops roses have been introduced in the country for direct cultivation e.g. 'Passion', 'Grand Gala' in rose.
3. Introduction and export are the only feasible and fastest means of collecting germplasm and to prevent variability from genetic erosion.
4. It is quick and economical method for crop improvement particularly when introductions are released as a variety directly or after simple selection.
5. If a particular location is prone to some particular disease or insect attack, plants may be introduced in new disease free areas directly to protect them from damage.

Some prominent introductions in Ornamentals:
Cut Flowers Cultivars

Rose: Golden Gate, Passion, Grand Gala, Superstar, Queen Elizabeth
Carnation: Master, Sangaria, Dover, Yellow Dot Com, Tasman, Farida.
Alstroemeria: Alladin, Serena, Pluto, Capri, Cindrella
Annuals: Marigold, Antirrhinum, Pansy, Petunia, Stock, Zinnia, Calendula etc.
Trees: Bauhinia esculenta, Cryptomeria japonica, Cupressus species, Sepium sebiferum
Shrubs: Different species and varieties of Bougainvillea, Buddeleia davidii etc.

Rose


Carnation

Alstroemeria

Chrysanthemum

Lilium