Nearly $300,000 Announced for AFE Research Funding

AFE has approved more than $296,000 in floriculture/horticulture research project funding for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.“These projects will address and help solve critical industry issues, including Botrytis and thrips, and enable the entire floral industry to become more productive and profitable,” said Terril Nell, Ph.D., Research Coordinator for AFE.The funding will support six continuing projects and four new projects. The goal of all AFE research is to provide knowledge that helps the industry grow stronger.Marigold Guardian PlantDISEASE MANAGEMENTManaging Pythium Species in Floriculture Irrigation Water: Dr. Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University, $40,000Engineering Impatiens for Resistance to the Devastating Disease Downy Mildew: Dr. Zhanao Deng, University of Florida, $31,500Finding Solutions to Pre-Harvest Botrytis Infection of Cut Roses: Dr. James Faust, Clemson University, $45,182INSECT…

AFE Awards 2016 Altman Family Scholarship

Joshua Henry of North Carolina State University has received the 2016 Altman Family Scholarship. Henry is the first recipient of the Altman Family Scholarship, which was created in 2015 by Ken and Deena Altman, owners of Altman Plants. The Altmans are highly appreciative of the field of horticulture and support numerous efforts to improve education and research for the industry. This merit-based, prestigious scholarship assists in funding the education of floriculture graduate students (MS or Ph.D.), who will become leading floricultural scientists and educators. Joshua Henry is pursuing a Master of Science at North Carolina State University and is an active member of several horticultural activities and clubs, including the Horticultural Science Graduate Student Association. Henry will receive $5,900 in…

Prevent the Spread of Disease in Irrigation Water

Dr. Mary HausbeckAFE-funded research helps address a variety of issues that the floriculture industry faces.The Endowment is currently funding a research study from Dr. Mary Hausbeck, Professor and Extension Specialist at Michigan State University, entitled: Managing Pythium Species in Floriculture Irrigation Water.In an article published in Greenhouse Grower magazine, Dr. Hausbeck, along with fellow researcher Dr. Wei Zhang, discuss how water-mold pathogens can cause significant crop losses and reduce floriculture crop quality. They also provide ways to prevent the spread of diseases like Phytophthora and Pythium in irrigation water.The article, which was featured in the March 2016 issue of Greenhouse Grower, can be viewed here.

Deadline for AFE Research Pre-Proposals is June 1

The Endowment wants to help you secure funding for your floriculture research project!AFE is now calling for research pre-proposal applications for 2017-2018 funding, due no later than June 1. AFE-funded research helps your flowers grow stronger and healthier!The primary research funding priorities are relevant to all segments of the floral industry:Botrytis ControlThrips Control and ManagementPostharvest Care and HandlingProduction ManagementRead AFE’s full list of scientific research priorities and the general application timeline for more details.For the current 2016-2017 cycle, AFE is funding more than $300,000 in research. Research projects can last from one to three years and any reasonable but justifiable budget will be considered.Scientific Research Project Examples:New Approaches for the Control of Botrytis During Production, Shipping and/or Retail DisplayInnovative Biological and…

Applications Accepted Through May 1st for 2016 AFE Scholarships

Floriculture and horticulture students now have the chance to apply for more than 20 different AFE scholarships!Lesley JuddNorth Carolina State University2015 John Carew Memorial Scholarship RecipientThe deadline is May 1, 2016 to submit applications for sophomore through senior students, as well as graduate students.AFE encourages students to apply for scholarships early, as the need for financial assistance in floriculture and environmental horticulture programs is great. In 2015, AFE awarded more than $37,000 in scholarships.“It’s our primary function at the Endowment to award scholarships to students to help in their journey of becoming industry leaders,” AFE Executive Director Debi Aker said.“We understand the financial burden students face and know that an investment in their education is an investment in the future of the industry.”Click…

New Research Aims to Protect Gerbera From Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is the most common and damaging disease for gerbera crops. Growers often have to apply fungicides to control powdery mildew, which leads to significant increases in production costs.The lack of disease-resistant gerbera plants has been a major limiting factor for crop production.Severe powdery mildewAFE’s latest research report, Powdery Mildew Resistance in Transgenic Gerbera Plants, focused on increasing the plants’ resistance to powdery mildew through gene transference.Researchers Dr. Zhanao Deng, Zhonglin Mou and Natalia A. Peres of the University of Florida have concluded through this research that powdery mildew sensitivity can be overcome by transferring defense-related genes from non-crop plants to crop plants.Results have shown that genes from other plants can be transferred into gerbera crops to increase their…

Altman, Ecke MS/Ph.D. Scholarships in Floriculture Available

AFE is now accepting applications for the new Altman Family Scholarship, and the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship, for graduate students who have the skills and passion to become leading floricultural scientists and educators.The application deadline is Feb. 1.Deena and Ken AltmanThe Altman Family Scholarship was created in 2015 by Ken and Deena Altman – owners of Altman Plants – who support numerous efforts to improve education and research for the industry.The Altmans are highly appreciative of the field of horticulture and enjoy giving back. They established the Center for Applied Horticultural Research as an effort to help the industry. Ken Altman has also been actively involved in AFE’s Education and Scholarship Committees for a decade.“We’re privileged to have Ken on our…

AFE Announces More Than $310,000 in Research Funding

AFE has approved more than $310,000 in scientific research project funding for 2015-2016 to support six continuing projects and five new projects.“These projects will directly benefit the entire industry by providing information on production of insect and disease free plants and details of Botrytis infection on floral crops,” said Terril Nell, Ph.D., Research Coordinator for AFE.The goal of all AFE research is to provide knowledge that helps the industry grow stronger.PLANT BREEDING AND GENETIC ENGINEERINGDevelopment of Petunia with Enhanced Stress Tolerance: Dr. Nicole Waterland, West Virginia University, $22,065 (year two of two)Making Better Plant Products by Understanding Dynamic Facets of Metabolism: Dr. Thomas A. Colquhoun, University of Florida, $33,000 (year one of three)DISEASE MANAGEMENTManaging Pythium Species in Floriculture Irrigation Water:…

Laser-Focused on the Floriculture Industry’s Research Needs

The floriculture industry faces complex issues that research funded by AFE helps address.AFE’s Research Coordinator Terril Nell, Ph.D. (pictured), has written an article detailing what the current research is telling us about pest management, postharvest handling and more.The article, which was featured in the January 2015 issue of Greenhouse Grower, can be viewed here.

UC Davis Student Awarded 2015 AFE Ecke Scholarship

Daniel Klittich, a doctoral candidate at the University of California (UC Davis), has been awarded the 2015 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship through AFE.Daniel KlittichThe merit-based scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke Jr., who made contributions to the advancement of the floriculture industry. It is given to M.S. or Ph.D. students studying horticulture or a related field, who intend to pursue a career as a researcher, scientist or educator.This prestigious scholarship, established in 2010, is funded by contributions to AFE from the floral industry, the Ecke family and other sources. As the 2015 Ecke recipient, Klittich will receive $5,000 for two consecutive years, provided he continues to meet scholarship requirements.Klittich, who is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in entomology, has been recognized…

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