Challenges for commercial organic production of oil-bearing rose in Bulgaria

Abstract

Bulgarian rose oil is widely recognised for its high quality and versatile application. Increasing prices and market demand for organic rose flowers and oil are stimulating factors influencing organic cultivation of oil-bearing rose in Bulgaria. However, further improvement of the sector is still necessary. Commercial rose cultivation is mainly based on Rosa damascena Mill. f. trigintipetala Dieck. (Kazanlak rose), which is not resistant to the main diseases and pests causing economic losses. Therefore, implementation of effective pest and disease control strategies under organic management practices is necessary to achieve high flower yields and oil quality. Disease resistance combined with proper genotype preservation and plant propagation to maintain the demanded traditional aroma and chemical composition of rose oil are the main challenges faced by Bulgarian rose producers. Socio-economic factors influencing organic oil rose production in Bulgaria are also discussed.

Keywords:

• Organic roses
• plant disease control
• socio-economic challenges
• R. damascena