Climate Resilient Floriculture: Adapting Cut Flower and Foliage Production to a Changing Climate
摘要
Floriculture, a dynamic sector within horticulture, is gaining global and regional prominence due to its economic, social, and aesthetic contributions. With a global market exceeding USD 50 billion, the industry is increasingly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and frequent extreme weather events. These climatic disruptions significantly impact the growth, quality, and postharvest life of cut flowers and foliage, threatening the viability of both commercial and smallholder floriculture enterprises. This chapter examines the multifaceted impacts of climate change on floriculture, with a focus on developing countries such as Pakistan, where the sector is emerging as a high-value livelihood option. The discussion highlights how climatic stressors such as heatwaves, droughts, and unseasonal rains affect flowering schedules, yield uniformity, and market quality. It outlines adaptation strategies such as protected cultivation, efficient irrigation systems, climate-resilient varieties, and sustainable postharvest techniques like flower drying using salt and silica gel mixtures. In addition, mitigation strategies are explored, including organic inputs, reduced plastic usage, and the promotion of local and seasonal flower varieties. Emphasizing practical, affordable, and scalable solutions, the chapter draws on scientific literature, case studies, and real-life examples from Pakistan to present a roadmap for making floriculture more climate-resilient. By integrating traditional knowledge, modern innovation, and supportive policy frameworks, floriculture can adapt to climate challenges while minimizing its environmental footprint. Ultimately, climate-resilient floriculture not only secures grower livelihoods but also supports sustainable development and ecological balance.