The Status of the Flower Seed Industry and Development Strategies 2
Source: World Seed Category: Technical Articles Update Time: 2008-8-11 11:32:27 Read 3 times
3 Challenges and Solutions in Domestic Flower Seed Production
3.1 Variety Degradation and Poor Quality Seeds
Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the flower industry has experienced periods of recovery, growth, setbacks, and eventual prosperity. During the "Cultural Revolution," research and production of grass and flower seeds suffered severe damage, with a large loss of germplasm resources, research institutions being disbanded, and scientific personnel redirected, leaving the flower seed industry in a state of stagnation for many years. This lack of development made it difficult to move forward. For a long time, enterprises and growers relied on self-sufficient cultivation of herbal flowers, leading to serious degradation of many varieties. Although a few private companies have emerged in recent years to produce flower seeds, they face challenges such as limited resources, insufficient technology, and poor infrastructure. As a result, their seed quality lags far behind that of foreign imports. Some even use imported seeds for local cultivation, which leads to significant genetic segregation, reduced uniformity, and inferior color and quality. Consequently, high-priced foreign seeds have flooded the Chinese market, negatively impacting domestic flower seed producers.3.2 Insufficient Research on Flower Breeding and Cultivation Techniques
As an essential branch of horticulture, the flower industry lags significantly behind vegetables and fruit trees in terms of new variety selection, propagation of improved varieties, and the development of supporting cultivation techniques. While research in vegetables and fruit trees has advanced to the level of cell physiology to enhance yield and quality, flower breeding and cultivation still lack a comprehensive theoretical framework. There is also a lack of detailed information on ecological, economic, and technical aspects of flower production. This gap leads to poor results in both breeding and production. Additionally, due to limited funding for scientific research, many institutes focus more on short-term profits than on fundamental studies, resulting in a decline in basic research efforts. This weakens the technical capacity at the grassroots level and increases reliance on imported species.3.3 Lack of Strong Seed Enterprises
Flower seeds serve as vital propagating materials and are key carriers of agricultural technology. The central government has emphasized the importance of seed projects, aiming to accelerate the introduction and promotion of improved varieties and achieve industrialization. However, most state-owned seed companies in China focus on vegetable and grain seeds, while only a few small private firms engage in flower seed production. In contrast, foreign seed companies, with their advanced technologies and strong market presence, are actively entering the Chinese market. By 2007, over 60 foreign seed companies had established operations in China, covering crops, vegetables, and flower seeds. To counter this, the government needs to support larger domestic seed companies, improve production standards, and ensure seed quality to strengthen the national flower industry.3.4 Limited Progress in Variety Validation and an Incomplete System
With the implementation of intellectual property protection policies, the approval of new flower varieties should be prioritized. This not only encourages researchers to innovate but also protects their rights, promoting the rapid development of flower breeding in China.3.5 Poor Processing Infrastructure and Outdated Technology
Flower seeds are typically small, lightweight, and high-value, requiring precise processing equipment to minimize losses. However, most Chinese flower seed companies lack suitable facilities, relying mainly on manual methods. Seed coating and pelletization are almost nonexistent. Additionally, the lack of specialized equipment for measuring and packaging, combined with low technological standards, has led to counterfeit and substandard seeds flooding the market. This undermines the overall quality of flower production in China.3.6 Disconnected Breeding, Production, and Sales
Currently, the scientific research, production, and management systems in China’s flower seed industry are separate, lacking effective collaboration. Both research institutions and seed companies operate in a "small and complete" model, neglecting critical areas like breeding theory and germplasm resource research. This fragmentation hinders the healthy development of the industry.3.7 Information Gaps Hinder Production and Management
There are few horizontal links among flower seed production enterprises in China. Few participate in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Flower Information Network, and many operate in isolation without forming a sales network. To address this, the government should encourage companies to utilize existing information networks and collaborate with domestic and international seed firms. This will help them align their research and production with market demands, improve quality, and meet international standards. Ultimately, if China wants to avoid being dominated by foreign companies, it must first strengthen its certification system, protect breeders' enthusiasm, and support both companies and research institutes. By combining native resources with foreign germplasm, China can create its own brand and lay a solid foundation for the future of its flower industry. This effort will help revive Xiongwei, the "mother of the garden" in China.Guangzhou Fuerle Health Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.fuerlegroup.com