Growth, Yield, and Economic Analysis of Commercial Floriculture Crops under Controlled Environmental Conditions

Abstract

Controlled environmental agriculture has revolutionized commercial floriculture by enabling year-round production and superior quality flowers. This study investigates the growth, yield, and economic viability of major commercial floriculture crops (rose, gerbera, carnation, and chrysanthemum) cultivated under polyhouse conditions in India. The primary objective was to evaluate agronomic performance and conduct comprehensive economic analysis comparing controlled environment cultivation with open-field systems. A factorial randomized block design was employed across four commercial floriculture farms in Maharashtra during 2023-2025, monitoring growth parameters, yield metrics, and input-output economics. Results demonstrated that controlled environmental conditions significantly enhanced flower yield (45-68% increase across crops), stem length (40-41% improvement), and vase life (52-53% extension) compared to open cultivation. Economic analysis revealed benefit-cost ratios ranging from 2.89 to 3.23 across different crops, with gerbera exhibiting maximum profitability. Gerbera cultivation generated highest net returns of ₹1,023,000 per hectare annually with benefit-cost ratio of 3.23, while rose yielded net returns of ₹847,000 per hectare with benefit-cost ratio of 2.89. The study concludes that controlled environmental floriculture presents substantial economic opportunities for Indian farmers despite higher initial investment requirements, with gerbera emerging as the most economically attractive crop followed by carnation and chrysanthemum.

DOI: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/01.2026-77971983