Dr.TerriW.StarmanHort429GreenhouseCropProduction.pptVIP

Dr. Terri W. Starman Hort 429 Greenhouse Crop Production Decisions a Grower Makes Concerning Propagation Purchase liners from specialists who efficiently propagate species on a large scale or employ a staff propagator. It is a matter of economics vs. quality. Materials, labor and space must be considered. Do you have the time? Advantages and disadvantages of buying from a specialist Grower does not have direct control Quality may not be as high as desired Product may not be delivered safely Product may not be delivered on time Cultivar may not be available due to quantities and season of the year Seed Production and Marketing The goal of plant propagation is to reproduce a plant with a desirable set of characteristics. Although these characteristics may occur through spontaneous mutations (sports), new cultivars are typically produced through a long term breeding program. Cultivar Protection, Licensing and Leasing Plant Patents for asexually propagated material, last for 17 years. Plant Variety Protection for inbred lines produced from seed. Plant Utility Patents for genes, etc. Trade Secrets for parental inbred lines. Trade Marks are words, symbols, or designs often combined with patents i.e. Sunblaze roses. Do not expire with the patent. Proprietary Rights to control propagation and marketing of a unique plant without a patent. Advantages of plugs vs. open flat propagation Allow for mechanization Can be automatically transplanted Shorter production times Longer holding periods Reduced disease spread Increased crop turnover Disadvantages of plugs vs. open flat propagation Difficult to grow Plug size restricts water drainage Dry out quickly because they don’t hold much Rapid EC and pH swings Require expensive seed sowing equipment Larger propagation area required Some species are difficult to sow and germinate Require high quality, expensive seeds Labor saving technology is needed Seed Storage Try not to buy too much more than you need each season. However, some