Articles
LACHENALIA: DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF A NEW FLOWER BULB CROP
Article number
570_7
Pages
81 – 85
Language
English
Abstract
The Roodeplaat Vegetable and Ornamental Institute of the ARC initiated the Lachenalia breeding program in 1973. The first potplants were commercially available in 1997. Several problems were encountered that hampered earlier availability of the product in the commercial sector.
The problems were largely due to the fact that Lachenalia is a novel product.
This overview of the program discusses the importance of commercialization as part of the introduction of a new crop.
Even after the first hybrids became commercially available, continued inputs from the research team were needed for success.
These inputs included continued research in crop production, active technology transfer to growers and the actual establishment of new commercial growers as well as the production of propagation material.
The experience gained during this period gave researchers an important insight in the necessary procedures involved in the development of new crops in South Africa.
The problems were largely due to the fact that Lachenalia is a novel product.
This overview of the program discusses the importance of commercialization as part of the introduction of a new crop.
Even after the first hybrids became commercially available, continued inputs from the research team were needed for success.
These inputs included continued research in crop production, active technology transfer to growers and the actual establishment of new commercial growers as well as the production of propagation material.
The experience gained during this period gave researchers an important insight in the necessary procedures involved in the development of new crops in South Africa.
Publication
Authors
R. Kleynhans, J.G. Niederwieser, F.L. Hancke
Keywords
Commercialization, development, flowerbulb, Lachenalia
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