ISHS Acta Horticulturae 673: IX International Symposium on Flower Bulbs
THE CONTRIBUTION OF QUALITY INSPECTIONS TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF THE DUTCH FLOWERBULBS AND ACCESS TO EXPORT MARKETS |
| Author: | P.J.M. Knippels |
| Keywords: | BKD, TBV, LMoV, LSV, TSWV, Tulipa, Lilium, Dahlia |
| Abstract:
The Dutch Flowerbulb Inspection Service (BKD) was founded in 1923 on the request of some Narcissus growers. The reasons to start the inspections are still valid: the improvement in the quality of bulbs and to insure free access to export markets. Inspection of bulbs in the European Union (EU) is based on the EU-directive for the trade of propagation material of ornamentals. In the Netherlands, implementation took place according to existing inspection schemes and criteria of the BKD. All lots of flowerbulbs are inspected and classified. Lots that do not meet the standards are not classified and are expelled from further propagation. For the various crops, the quality inspections by the BKD have been and still are an important stimulus for the increase in quality of individual lots. If a grower wants to use his lot of Lilium for propagation, there is an obligatory ELISA-test for LMoV (Lily Mottle Virus) and LSV (Symptomless Lily Virus). This system has greatly contributed to the quality of lilies. Within a period of 10 years the average LMoV level has dropped to 0.4% and LSV has dropped to 2.3%. In 1992 the BKD started an obligatory test on TSWV (Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus) for Dahlia tubers used for propagation. In 2003, 90% of the tested lots were found free of TSWV. The inspection of all flowerbulbs and the results of these inspections has insured access to markets in almost all countries, even to those countries with very strict import regulations and standards such as Australia, Japan, and the USA. For these and other countries, the BKD inspection system has insured that the importation of Dutch Flowerbulbs is possible. | |
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