The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is pleased to announce our 2026–2027 research funding, supporting 21 research projects at 15 universities and institutions, with a total investment of $718,160 through AFE’s research funds. These projects address some of floriculture’s most pressing challenges and help ensure growers have practical, research-based solutions for the future.

“Research is one of the most powerful investments we can make in the future of floriculture,” said Laura Barth, AFE Research Director. “We’re proud to support projects that not only advance scientific knowledge, but also provide growers with practical tools and solutions they can put to work in their operations.”

AFE administers multiple named research funds, each created to support innovation in floriculture. Below you’ll find every currently funded project, along with the fund supporting it (listed in italics). Click the fund names to learn more about each program.

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

• Exploring the Plasticity of Mefenoxam Resistance in Phythopthora Nicotianae from Floriculture Crops: Dr. Steven Jeffers and Linus Schmitz, Clemson University *FCGFRF
  • Objective: 1. Determine if mefenoxam-resistant isolates of Phytophthora nicotianae from annual vinca, petunia, and lavender are also resistant to other commonly applied fungicides. 2. Investigate if mefenoxam resistance of P. nicotianae can be readily gained or lost in culture under laboratory conditions. 3. Investigate if mefenoxam resistance of P. nicotianae can be readily gained or lost on plants under greenhouse conditions.
    
• Exploiting the Resident Microbiome of Greenhouse-Grown Lavender as a Source of Bacterial Biological Control Agents Against Phytophthora Nictianae: Dr. Cora Kenderline, Meredith College *FCGFRF
  • Objective: 1. Isolate and store culturable bacteria from rhizosphere and root tissue of three lavender varieties exhibiting different plant health conditions 1 (healthy, asymptomatic, and symptomatic) following Phytophthora nicotianae inoculation, using greenhouse-grown plugs from a North Carolina wholesale nursery, and characterize bacterial community structure across rhizosphere and root tissue compartments and health states using V4 region 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. 2. Screen bacterial isolates for in vitro antagonistic activity against P. nicotianae using dual-culture assays, and identify antagonistic isolates via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. 3. Evaluate efficacy of top-performing isolates and multi-strain consortia on the disease incidence and severity of lavender plugs inoculated with P. nicotianae.
    
• 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 *AFE, continuing
  • 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.
    
• Beyond Fumigants: Investing in Sustainable Disease Management for Cut Flower Farming: Dr. Jason Slot, The Ohio State University *GP
  • Objective: To advance sustainable, non-chemical disease management strategies for cut flower production by defining the conditions required for effective anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) and comparing its performance to soil steaming in suppressing soilborne pathogens. The research will evaluate disease reduction under varying ASD incubation periods and temperatures and assess impacts on soil health in high tunnel cut flower systems, providing growers with science-based guidance for long-term disease management.
    
• Reducing Powdery Mildew Disease in Floriculture Using RNAi Bioproducts: Dr. Mary Wildermuth, University of California, Berkeley *AFE, continuing
  • 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 the identification of powdery mildew target genes likely to also be effective targets for downy mildew control.
    
• Leveraging BSA-Seq to Efficiently Map and Develop PACE Markers for a Novel Rose Black Spot Resistance in Rosa ‘Lakeshore Louise’: Dr. David Zlesak, University of Wisconsin, River Falls *FCGFRF
  • Objective: Genetically map a novel rose black spot resistance phenotype found in ‘Lakeshore Louise’, validate and share linked PACE markers to this resistance, and share hybrids with the resistance as germplasm releases for breeders to freely use.

INSECT MANAGEMENT

• Mitigation of the Invasive Tropical Pest, Thrips parvispinus: Clean Start and Biological Control: Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre *TB, continuing
  • Objective: The goal of this 3-year project is to develop sustainable long-term solutions for the 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 *AFE, continuing
  • Objective: In this 3-tiered project, researchers will develop, test, and promote a highly innovative approach to WFT management, in which they integrate three technologies: a state-of-the-art robotic rail system to release predatory mites, customized lighting (LEDs), and optimized formulations of certified organic insecticides with plasma-activated water.
    
• Refining UV-C Light Application for Thrips Management in Greenhouse Ornamentals: Dr. Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont *TB, continuing
  • 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 to the UV-C Dome applicator.
    
• Improving Marketability of Ornamental Hibiscus Through Rapid Feeding Suppression and Treatment Timing for Two-Spotted Cotton Leafhopper: Dr. Bin Wu, Auburn University *FCGFRF
  • Objective: 1. Quantify cultivar-level feeding risk and marketability loss among selected commercial ornamental hibiscus cultivars using real-time feeding behavior monitoring and visible injury assessments. 2. Determine how long damaging feeding can occur before visible symptoms develop, using real-time feeding behavior monitoring and symptom progression assessments to identify inspection windows most relevant to protecting ornamental marketability. Compare representative drench and foliar treatment timings using real-time feeding behavior monitoring and visible quality assessments to determine which programs suppress damaging feeding rapidly enough to preserve ornamental quality and shipment confidence.

NUTRITION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

• Bioreactors for Reduction of Agrochemicals in Agricultural Production Water: Dr. Tom Fernandez, Michigan State University *AFE, continuing
  • 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.
    
• Development of Smart Nutrient Diagnostic Tools for Hydrangeas: Dr. Brian Whipker, North Carolina State University *FCGFRF
  • Objective: 1. Expand leaf tissue interpretation standards to improve the accuracy of diagnosing nutritional issues of hydrangea. 2. Develop a machine learning algorithm that creates an automated AI interpretation tool for leaf tissue diagnostics. 3. Incorporate hydrangeas into the web-based diagnostic app, which is being developed as part of an AFE grant, that will allow growers to input their lab analysis results and obtain interpretations and recommendations. 4. Publish revised leaf tissue nutrient interpretation standard results scientifically. 5. Include values in the leaf tissue database for archiving for future users.
    
• Floriculture Production Practices in Peat Reduced Substrates: Dr. Brian Jackson, North Carolina State University *AFE, continuing
  • Objective: Provide data on crop management strategies that can be immediately implemented in grower operations to improve production efficiency, reduce crop losses, and improve crop quality while using more economical and sustainable peat alternatives. 

BREEDING AND GENETICS

• Milkweed Makeover: Overcoming Challenges in Developing Ornamental Cultivars of Asclepias: Dr. Mason McNair, Michigan State University *FCGFRF
  • Objective: We will induce whole-genome 10 duplication in A. tuberosa and A. incarnata to evaluate the potential of tetraploids to enhance floral 11 and vegetative traits relevant to ornamental production. In parallel, controlled intraspecific hybrid 12 populations will be developed for quantitative-trait loci (QTL) analysis to identify genomic regions 13 associated with key horticultural traits. Finally, we will synthesize experimental findings into an accessible “Guide to Asclepias Breeding,” including pollination protocols, phenotyping workflows, and trait-inheritance summaries.
    
• Producing Genome Sequences to Improve Landscape Rose Adaptation: Dr. Oscar Riera-Lizarazu, Texas A&M University *AFE
  • Objective:  This project aims to generate high-quality genome sequences of rose lines carrying major resistance loci for rose rosette disease and black spot. These genomic resources will enable identification of resistance genes and support the development of improved, disease-resistant rose cultivars through targeted breeding and genomic tools.
    
• Enhancing Bacterial Blight Resistance in Pelargonium Through Germplasm Screening and Molecular Tool Development: Dr. Xingbo Wu, University of Florida, and Yu Ma, The Ohio State University *AFE
  • Objective: This project aims to develop the first molecular resources to support the breeding of bacterial blight-resistant pelargonium cultivars to promote sustainable production. Moreover, the resources and knowledge generated through this work will have broader applications, supporting future efforts to improve resistance to other diseases, enhance stress resilience, and extend postharvest shelf-life.
    

POST-PRODUCTION

• Detecting and Removing Botrytis-Infected Flowers: Dr. John Dole, North Carolina State University *AFE
  • Objective: to validate the use of hyperspectral and multispectral imaging technologies for the rapid, early detection of Botrytis infection in cut roses after harvest but prior to shipping. Specifically, the research aims to determine the reliability and robustness of these detection methods across multiple rose cultivars and production environments, enabling the removal of infected stems before symptoms are visible and improving overall postharvest quality and vase life for customers.
    
• Flower Quality Assessment of Chrysanthemums: Dr. John Dole, North Carolina State University *AFE, JHMRF
  • Objective: The objective of this project is to develop rapid, non-destructive methods for assessing postharvest cut flower quality in chrysanthemums using hyperspectral and multispectral imaging. By identifying key wavelengths associated with water status, carbohydrate status, and disease presence, the research will support real-time quality monitoring, improved postharvest handling decisions, and more consistent delivery of high-quality cut flowers to customers.

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY/PROTOCOLS

• Improving fertilizer nutrient use efficiency and plant health with novel plant growth-promoting bacteria: Dr. Michelle Jones, The Ohio State University *AFE
  • Objective: The objective of this project is to optimize the use of novel plant growth–promoting bacteria in greenhouse floriculture to improve nutrient use efficiency and plant health while reducing fertilizer and chemical inputs. The research will identify how much fertilizer can be reduced and determine the most effective application methods to consistently produce high-quality ornamental crops.
    
• HortCalculator for Cut Flowers: Dr. Ariana Torres, Purdue University *FCGFRF
  • Objective: 1. Validate the economics of cut flower production by collecting one year of financial data from 6–8 farms, comparing open-field and high tunnel production across crops and market channels. 2. Develop new HortCalculator tools that help growers evaluate high tunnel investments, including ROI, depreciation, cost-share opportunities, and side-by-side production comparisons. 3. Create publicly available economic benchmarks for cut flower production costs, labor, revenue, and profitability across major marketing channels. 4. Deliver the results through field days and webinars, training more than 100 growers and evaluating how the tools influence investment decisions and on-farm adoption.
    
• Putting Floriculture A.I. to Work: Development of Smart Diagnostic Tools: Dr. Brian Whipker, North Carolina State University *AFE, continuing
  • 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.

AFE can continue to fund ground-breaking research projects with lasting impacts thanks to the support of generous donors. As noted above, the Endowment has five named funds designated for research. More information about our named funds is available 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.