BULBOUS FLOWER PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: STATE OF THE ART

The Dutch flower bulb industry is highly dynamic.
From 1990 to 2003 the number of enterprises was reduced by 33%, farm size increased by 50%. The increase of scale reduced production costs per unit, of which costs of labor are the most important.
The demand for environmental protection and improved working conditions also affects the production systems.
System Innovation research programs were designed to stimulate new developments.
In this context radical changes took place in the bulbous flower production systems, which resulted in cleaner (both environmentally and in working conditions), as well as in more efficient bulb flower production.
The use of energy per unit was strongly reduced.
Intensive cooperation and exchange between various stakeholders in the industry, research and extension, has contributed to a large extent to these rapid developments.
This paper describes the underlying system component developments and future expectations.

IX International Symposium on Flower Bulbs

J. Wildschut, H. Gude, A. Krikke

system component developments, forcing in water, energy saving, improved working conditions, System Innovations, future developments

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.673.106