India develops its own varieties of gerbera

Now, India has its own gerbera varieties as scientists on the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) have developed six indigenous varieties of this flower, used extensively in decorations and bouquets.

Though the nation’s floricultural sector has made speedy strides, it was but to develop its own gerbera selection. The varieties being cultivated by farmers to this point within the nation have been these from different locations, notably Holland. This had resulted in farmers paying larger prices for vegetation as the businesses promoting them needed to pay large royalties to Holland corporations.

C. Aswath, principal scientist and head of the IIHR’s Division of Floriculture and Medicinal Plants, who led the workforce of scientists that developed the indigenous varieties of gerberas, mentioned growing indigenous varieties would have a number of advantages, together with monetary.

“Presently, all the 20 to 30 varieties of gerberas grown in the country are those from Holland. Farmers are paying about ₹40 per plant which includes a royalty of about ₹20. It would cost about ₹19 lakh to get these saplings per hectare under such a pricing mechanism as a hectare needs 66,000 saplings in a polyhouse. But if a farmer cultivates indigenous variety of gerbera, then he will be spending only ₹7 lakh per hectare,” Dr. Aswath identified.

“Also, in the present pricing mechanism for Holland varieties, a farmer gets an average rate of ₹3 per flower, but spends about ₹1.50 on growing each flower. But if he grows indigenous varieties, then the cultivation cost per flower drops to a mere 10 to 20 paise,” he mentioned.

According to him, the drop in cultivation prices would have a cascading influence. “The profit margin of farmers increases. Secondly, the market rate of gerbera for consumers, which goes up to ₹20 per flower depending upon season, may come down. This is bound to make floral decoration more affordable,” he mentioned.

Also, importing of these flower varieties is dangerous as a number of pests and illnesses have entered the nation together with them, he identified.

Of the indigenous varieties, Arka Ashwa, Arka Nesara, Arka White, and Arka Pink are appropriate for polyhouse cultivation and have been out there for farmers from the final two years. Arka Krishika and Arka Red varieties may very well be grown in open cultivation and could be made out there to farmers by June, Dr. Aswath mentioned.

According to him, these varieties have tolerance to sure pests which would scale back the appliance of pesticides and likewise cut back the cultivation value.

In India, gerbera cultivation accounts for 800 hectares in floricultural sector that has a protection of 3.25 lakh hectares.

48,000 guests

The five-day nationwide horticultural honest being organised by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research at its Hessarghatta campus will finish on Friday. The honest, which is being held in each bodily and digital codecs for the primary time owing to COVID-19, has been attracting a big quantity of guests regardless of the pandemic.

According to an estimate, about 48,000 folks from totally different elements of the nation have visited the honest within the final 4 days.

In all, the honest has greater than 145 stalls showcasing numerous applied sciences and merchandise moreover dwell demonstrations of numerous horticultural crops.