Inventorization and Exploration of Floral Diversity in Metropolitan Cities of India for Their Suitability in Floriculture of Kashmir

Floriculture is the branch of horticulture that deals with the cultivation and management of flowers and ornamental plants and has blossomed into commercial activity with considerable growth and a useful crop diversification option, particularly for small farmers over the past three decades. It is a global industry with significant economic, social, and aesthetic values. Globally 171 countries practice floriculture. India occupies 51st position in terms of exports and contributes Rs. 455 crores which is 0.06% of global trade. The present study was carried out during the College on Wheels project organized by the Higher Education Council, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and was aimed to explore the floral and ornamental plant diversity of major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Goa, Bengaluru, Mumbai, etc. of India for evaluating their suitability for introduction in floriculture of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The floral and ornamental plant species were explored, photographed, evaluated, identified, and inventorised. A total of 51 species belonging to 23 different families of floral and ornamental plants were explored and evaluated in terms of parameters like climate, soil type, photoperiod requirements, watering needs, and maintenance requirements for their cultivation. It was found that some of the explored species of ornamental plants were already introduced into the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir because the parameters for the successful growth and thriving of these species match with the existing climatic and other conditions in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, the climatic and other requirements of some of the explored species were found in conformity with the climatic and other parameters available in the Union Territory of J&K for the successful establishment and growth of plants. Thus, there is an urgent need to introduce these explored species into the region to enhance the floral diversity of ornamental plants, beautify the landscape, and promote tourism and the generation of better livelihood. The Department of Floriculture should take a lead role in this direction to import these floral and ornamental plant specimens from pan India.