Horticultural Practices for Cut Flower Production in India: A Comprehensive Review

The floriculture industry in India has witnessed tremendous growth during the last two decades with cut flower production emerging as a high value agricultural industry. This review compiles the present status of horticultural practices for commercial cut flower production in India, major crops, agro-climatic requirements, protected cultivation systems, soil and substrate management, irrigation and fertigation practices, integrated pest and disease management (IPM), and post-harvest handling. The main cut flowers grown are rose, gerbera, carnation, lilium, chrysanthemum, gladiolus and the emerging lisianthus, mostly under protected cultivation structures like naturally ventilated polyhouses and climate controlled green houses. Protected cultivation yields 4 to 10 times higher than open field systems with benefit-cost ratios up to 1.58. Precision fertigation with water-soluble fertilisers, drip irrigation and integrated pest management (IPM) using biological, cultural and chemical methods are important horticultural interventions. Though there have been significant advances, constraints remain. High capital costs, poor cold chain infrastructure, poor availability of quality planting material and variable farmer knowledge are critical bottlenecks. India’s cut flower exports are growing well with roses accounting for over 90% of greenhouse production for overseas markets. Future priorities include adoption of hi-tech cultivation, development of climate-resilient varieties, strengthening of post-harvest infrastructure and targeted capacity building. This review offers an in-depth framework for the researchers, extension professionals and practitioners engaged in the development of commercial cut flower industry in India.