Prevention of invasiveness in floricultural crops

Abstract

The greatest quantity of invasive crops arises from the floriculture sector of the horticulture industry. While some floriculture invasives are 'old' crops, e.g. purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), a higher frequency are 'new' crops. This is due to the sheer number of new crops, as well as the vast quantities of cultivars and product series distributed to the floriculture global economy. Invasive species thus constitute a new and major challenge to the flower industry in the 21st century. If deliberate efforts are not taken by all parties in the distribution channel, particularly public and private flower breeding programs, restrictive legislation by countries across the globe may severely curtail the ability to collect and import new or 'exotic' germplasm for continued crop development, domestication, and distribution. The origination of invasive ornamentals is examined with a critical analysis of the floriculture distribution channel. Important factors, such as Monitoring and Control are and Economic Solutions are provided. A variety of solutions, encompassing each party in the distribution channel, are proposed to create a 'chain of noninvasiveness'. Flower breeders can implement many important plant traits in both old and new crops, prior to product release, using a new 'non-invasive crop ideotype'. Future research and education is required at all levels of the distribution channel before the continued introduction of invasive floriculture crops can be curtailed or potentially prevented