Floriculture, a viable option of diversification in the light of climate change

Abstract

Flowers' being most sensitive part of a plant is expected to be affected most by the climate change. For increased CO 2 concentrations, most of the flower crops are responding positively by the enhanced rates of photosynthesis and biomass production. Carbon dioxide levels of 800-1,800 ppm have proven to be optimal for the majority of flower crops grown under protected cultivation. Crop production is sensitive to variability in climate in general and temperatures in particular. Temperature is a major factor for the control of plant development, and warmer temperatures are known to shorten development stages of determinate crops leading to reduced yield of a given crop. Early flowering and maturity have been observed to be associated with warmer (spring) temperatures. Floriculture, as an intensive farming under protected conditions, is often not affected by the outside temperatures. With increasing climatic vagaries, flower crops grown under protected conditions may prove to be one of the safest cultivations to overcome the climate change effects.