News
2025-2026 Research Funding Addressing Industry Challenges
May 22, 2025
In 2025-2026, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) is funding 12 research projects for a total of $636,525. The four new projects and eight continuing projects focus on topics such as pest management, disease control, post-production, and technology in floriculture. By supporting these projects, AFE helps drive the continued growth of floriculture, contributing to the industry’s advancement through practical solutions and innovation.
“We are proud to support research that addresses both immediate and long-term challenges in floriculture. These projects provide practical solutions for today’s growers while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient future,” Laura Barth, AFE Research Coordinator, said. “We look forward to following the results of these studies and how they will contribute to the continued growth and success of floriculture.”
New Projects
Disease Management
Assessing Biocontrol and Chemical Strategies for Managing Phytophthora spp. in Commercial Floriculture Production: Dr. Ana Maria Pastrana Leon, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Objective: This research aims to (1) characterize key Phytophthora spp. affecting California floriculture crops, (2) confirm their pathogenicity on host plants, (3) evaluate the efficacy of two biological and two synthetic fungicides against two pathogenic Phytophthora spp. identified, (4) quantify fungicide effectiveness in preventing pathogen penetration using qPCR, and (5) disseminate findings to floriculture stakeholders through bilingual publications and outreach.
Reducing Powdery Mildew Disease in Floriculture Using RNAi Bioproducts: Dr. Mary Wildermuth, University of California, Berkeley
- Objective: Develop an effective RNAi biocontrol product against powdery mildew for use in floriculture. In addition to powdery mildew, downy mildew can be a problem for roses; therefore, we will prioritize identification of powdery mildew target genes likely to also be effective targets for downy mildew control.
Insect Management
Refining UV-C Light Application for Thrips Management in Greenhouse Ornamentals: Dr. Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont
- Objective: 1. Refine the design and construct an automated UV-C apparatus (The Dome) to uniformly treat young ornamental plants for western flower thrips (WFT). 2. Test the efficacy of the UV-C Dome applicator to reduce WFT populations and their reproductive rate on three ornamental plant species. 3. Assess the plant effects from exposure from the UV-C Dome applicator.
Nutrition/Water Management
Bioreactors for Reduction of Agrochemicals in Agricultural Production Water: Dr. Tom Fernandez, Michigan State University
- Objective: To determine optimal hydraulic retention times and oxidation-reduction conditions for pesticide remediation and selective control of nutrients from return flood-floor irrigation at the commercial scale. Understand the microbiome dynamics responsible (taxa present and abundance, changes in populations in response to pesticides, and time of year) for remediation at different hydraulic retention times and oxidation-reduction conditions.
Continuing Projects
Insect Management
Mitigation of the Invasive Tropical Pest, Thrips Parvispinus: Clean Start and Biological Control: Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
- Objective: The goal of this 3 year project is to develop sustainable long-term solutions for management of T. parvispinus in greenhouse ornamentals. Taking a systems approach, the project will investigate several IPM strategies that may be combined to provide optimal control of T. parvispinus.
Innovative 3-Tiered Management of Western Flower Thrips (WFT) in Ornamental Greenhouse Productions: Dr. Christian Nansen, UC Davis
- Objective: In this 3-tiered project, we will develop, test, and promote a highly innovative approach to WFT management, in which we integrate three technologies: a state-of-the-art system (robotic rail system) to release predatory mites, customized lighting (LEDs), and optimized formulations of certified organic insecticides with plasma activated water.
Disease Management
Enhancing the Performance of Biological Control Agents for Botrytis Control: Dr. Jim Faust and Dr. Guido Schnabel, Clemson University
- Objective: Prospective biological control agents for Botrytis blight often perform well in the lab but fail in the greenhouse. Our objective is to enhance the performance of these organisms by understanding the reason(s) that they fail and then provide the conditions that will help them survive and succeed as disease management tools in the greenhouse environment
Post-Production
Development of Potent Ethylene Antagonists for Floricultural Crops: Dr. Rasika Dias, The University of Texas at Arlington
- Objective: Development of potent anti-ethylene products for commercial use by selective targeting of ethylene binding sites, blocking ethylene bio-synthetic pathways, and creating stabilized silver formations.
Production Technology/Tools
Identification and Application of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria to Improve Floriculture Crop Plant Quality and Reduce Inputs: Dr. Michelle Jones, The Ohio State University
- Objective: The goal of this proposal is to screen the OSU greenhouse rhizospheric bacteria collection to identify bacteria that can promote growth with lower fertilizer inputs and to characterize and optimize the growth promoting effects of these bacteria in containerized soilless greenhouse production systems.
Putting Floriculture A.I. to Work: Development of Smart Diagnostic Tools: Dr. Brian Whipker, North Carolina State University
- Objective: 1. To expand a robust framework of leaf tissue standards to improve the accuracy of diagnosing nutritional issues of the top floriculture species. 2. Develop an algorithm that creates an automated AI interpretation tool for leaf tissue diagnostics for poinsettias, geraniums, New Guinea impatiens, petunia, and gerbera. 3. Create a web-based diagnostic app for poinsettias, geraniums, New Guinea impatiens, petunia, and gerbera growers to input their lab analysis results and obtain interpretations and recommendations.
Reducing Peat-Use in Greenhouse Production Through Wood Fiber Substrate Stratification: Dr. Jeb Fields, University of Florida
- Objective: Reduce peat-use and reliance in greenhouse production through stratified substrate systems by (1) evaluating the effectiveness of wood fiber and other low-cost “filler” materials as sub-strata, (2) exploring shallow stratification to increase proportion of filler materials, and (3) amending the upper (high-performance) strata with wood fiber. We will fine tune irrigation and fertility applications to strengthen comprehension of stratified-grown crops water use and fertilizer efficiency.
Nutrition and Water Management
Floriculture Production Practices in Peat Reduced Substrates: Dr. Brian Jackson, North Carolina State University
- Objective: Provide data on crop management strategies that can be immediately implemented in grower operations to improve production efficiency, reduce crop losses, improve crop quality, while using more economical and sustainable peat alternatives.
AFE is proud to continue supporting research that addresses the challenges and opportunities within floriculture. The 2025-2026 funding will drive continued growth and success across the industry.
AFE can continue to fund ground-breaking research projects with lasting impacts thanks to the support of generous donors. The Endowment has five named funds designated for research – the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund, the Joseph H. Hill Memorial Research Fund, the Christian B. Nissen Research Fund, the Gus Poesch Research Fund, and the Thrips & Botrytis Research Fund. More information on our named funds can be found here. If you are interested in establishing a fund, please reach out to us at afe@endowment.org.
Stay tuned for updates on these exciting projects as they unfold, shaping the future of floriculture. Applications for research funding must be submitted by August 1st. Notifications are sent after the first review, completed by October 1st, with final selections made by January 15th. Learn more about the application and apply here.
