Supporting and Advancing Australian Plant Breeding
Australian plant breeders have developed many improved native trees and shrubs that are widely sold in Australia and planted in gardens. A small number of companies are exporting the intellectual property of innovative native plants suitable for seasonal potted colour and bedding to overseas markets and reversing the traditional flow of royalties. A few have had international success with exotics such as proteas, petunias and Madeira daisies. Other organisations are hoping for international sales. While there are some great success stories, the breeders and marketers we surveyed signposted numerous difficulties in breeding and marketing new plants. In this Nursery Paper, the second of a two-part series on plant breeding, horticultural writer Helen Moody examines a number of issues that could be addressed to give greater support to Australian plant breeding.