> INDUSTRY INNOVATORS


INNOVATIONS IN BREEDING


Jason Jandrew Chief Product Development Officer, Ball Horticultural Company, Guadalupe, California


In his words: “We don’t have much of a choice other than to keep moving towards a more sustainable future. We are often referred to as a green industry, but the reality is we aren’t always as green as we can or should be.”


Innovation Ball uses a scientifically based index of sustainable genetics and products and has built a culture of breeding cut flowers for sustainability. Through “green teams” at its breeding locations, Ball has developed a system to access germplasm (wild species) responsibly, ethically, and sustainably from around the world to bring into its breeding programs, says Jason Jandrew, chief product development officer at Ball. This is a focused, conscientious, and documented process


BETTER BREEDING Jason Jandrew, chief product development officer at Ball Horticultural Company, has worked on breeding flowers that are more disease resistant and drought tolerant.


that aids in breeding for disease resis- tance and reducing flowers’ reliance on natural resources. The effort has led to the development of varieties that grow at lower temperatures, are drought tolerant, and use fewer plant growth regulators. In addition to breeding more


sustainable flowers, Jandrew has helped develop products and pro- tocols to improve flower quality during sea shipping, which he says reduces flowers’ carbon footprint and is more cost effec- tive. He is also mindful of social sustainability — how the company can help the team members and communities where the flowers are produced and sold. “To most people, the gift of flowers can represent emo-


tions like joy, gratitude, celebration, respect and support,” Jandrew says. “The story behind those flowers needs to be just as positive as well.”


30 FLORAL MANAGEMENT | July/August 2023 | WWW.SAFNOW.ORG


Motivation Sustainability is part of Ball’s guiding principles, Jandrew says, which also include: “Never sacrifice the long term for the short term,” and “Always do the right thing.” Customers are also demanding flowers that are bred to be sustainable, he says. Another motiva- tor is attracting and recruiting the next generation of plant breeders, who are looking to breed and develop varieties sustainably and responsibly, he says.


Challenge “I think it can be challenging to try to work on everything all at once,” he says. “We need to be careful not to let perfec- tion be the enemy of good.”


Future Evolution Incremental steps remain the focus. “We can always do better,” he says.


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