Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The interest for domestic production of seasonal, sustainably produced, cut flowers has increased over the few last years. As a result, the number of small companies producing field-grown cut flowers have increased in the last decade. Meanwhile, the supply of domestic propagation material for cut flower is limited. In this context, it is interesting that both NordGen (Nordic Genetic Resource Center) and POM (The Programme for Diversity of Cultivated Plants) have Nordic/Swedish propagation material that might be of interest for domestic cut flower production. The aim of this study was to compile information about Swedish/Nordic propagation material that could be used in cut flower production and to investigate the important characteristics in propagation material for growers. The study was conducted in two parts. In the first part, results from four field trials performed by NordGen was compiled and analysed. The trials were made in 2023 as a part of a Nordic cooperation project within the Medicinal, Aromatic and Ornamental Working group at NordGen. The project included the evaluation of accessions of Antirrhinum majus, Callistephus chinensis and Tagetes patula in field trials carried out in Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. The traits evaluated were related to characteristics important for cut flowers. In the second part, interviews with Swedish cut flower growers were conducted. The interviews focused on the company and cut flower production, demand, and competition as well as quality traits, origin and important factors of propagation material. The results from the interview study were analysed in relation to Porters (1990) competitive advantages of nations. Therefore, the results were divided into themes including factor conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries and firm structure, firm strategy and rivalry The last theme was propagation material where important characteristics of propagation material, trends and origin of propagation material is presented. Lastly, a selection of varieties at NordGen and POM with potential to be used in cut flower production is presented. The results from the trials highlighted the variation between accessions, but also the variation between the countries. Furthermore, the results indicates that there are several species that can be used in a Swedish domestic cut flower production, both test- cultivated spices and non-tested. To launch domestic propagation material to the Swedish market many factors, including price, quality and colours, need to be considered, and the process needs to be managed.