Blue Flower Technology: Genetic Advances for Developing True Blue Floral Varieties

Floriculture, a specialized field within horticulture, focuses on the commercial cultivation, marketing, and design of flowers and ornamental plants. Compared to many traditional field crops, it offers significantly higher returns per unit area, making it an economically attractive option. On a global scale, around 118 countries participate in the flower trade, with the export value reaching 13 billion USD in 2015 and a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% between 2006 and 2015. Recognized as a sunrise industry by the Government of India due to its export potential, the Indian floriculture sector has transitioned from primarily producing loose flowers to cultivating high-quality cut flowers aimed at international markets. The growing demand for ornamental plants in landscaping, home decor, and floral arrangements has created a need for the development of improved varieties with enhanced traits such as better flower colour, resilience to environmental stress, and resistance to pests and diseases.