Horticultural Technology Trends in the Korean Seed Industry

Abstract

Using 10,625 valid patents registered among six countries and 6,949 plant varieties registered in Korea, we evaluated technology trends in the horticultural seed industry. The six patent indices were investigated to determine the technology stage, such as market capability, technological level, and technological development potential, for different types of crop seeds. In addition, a patent multilayer (PM) model was developed based on vacant technology, future growth, and entry barriers to predict the best directions for technology development. In Korea, seed technologies for horticultural crops have low growth potential, although they are at a mature developmental stage and do not have high market concentration. There is high market competitiveness and development potential for flower seed technologies, whereas technologies for fruit seeds are in a decreasing developmental stage.