Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Thursday, Mar 21, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Thursday, Mar 21, 2002 |
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Agri-Biz & Commodities
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Floriculture Bangalore nursery to launch new hybrids for export market Our Bureau
CHENNAI, March 20 THE Bangalore-based K.S.G's Farm & Nursery, which holds US patents for two Aglaonema hybrid ornamental foliage plants, plans to introduce more ornamental foliage and flowering plants as Aglaonema, anthurium and caladium hybrids in the markets in the US, Australia and Japan. The nursery has sought US patents for two new Aglaonema hybrids, A. Silver Ribbons and A. Silverado, developed by it. Meanwhile, A. Silverado has been awarded the `Best new foliage plant for 2002 in the US' at the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition promoted and sponsored by the Florida Nurserymen & Growers' Association, according to the K.S.G's owner, Mr P. Mukundan. The patenting of hybrids in the US and other markets followed more than 10-15 years of effort spent on developing them, he said. The company was entering into a marketing agreement with a US-based nursery/grower, Green Star Foliage, to commercialise the hybrids. This would be in addition to two nursery/growers Butler's Foliage Inc and Tropical Ornamentals, he said. In Australia, it had licensed Tanah Kita to commercialise its Aglaonema's. These were awaiting patent there, and Australia will also facilitate K.S.G's to access the market in Japan. The nursery was also licensing a grower in Sri Lanka, Tropical Foliage, he said. In addition to the two patented hybrids introduced earlier, Jewel of India and Emerald Star, and the two in the process of being patented, the nursery had four more hybrids in advanced stages of acceptance. These would target the high-end interiors cape market for decorating offices and commercial buildings. The nursery also had plans to tap the mass market, the outdoor gardens, shortly. It would have to identify more licensees, Mr Mukundan said. The patented Aglaonemas were released under K.S.G's trademark - Kayesgees-Stars of India-Collection, he said. The Aglaonemas were fast emerging as market leaders, and displacing existing hybrids because these were cold tolerant, and weather the extreme low temperatures well, he said. K.S.G's was in the process of utilising this characteristic to develop more hybrids since it was a key feature in ensuring market acceptance, he said. The Silverado hybrid incorporated characteristics from six species, and the nursery utilised 20 species and as many variants to develop hybrids with aesthetic appeal and hardiness, he said. Meanwhile, it has also released five hybrids of Anthuriums, which have been approved by the US-based growers Agristards and Oglesby. A decision on the patent is expected in July/August, he said. In Anthuriums, the focus was on growing dwarf varieties that flower profusely in six and eight inch pots, he said. Caladiums, semi-outdoor ornamentals, were also being evaluated for commercialisation, he said.
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