Reduced labor, production efficiency, improved pest management practices, and improved postharvest quality and efficiency lead to increased profits for growers. Challenges related to these issues face the floral industry every day. The American Floral Endowment has supported industry-driven and industry-focused research for over 60 years, thanks to industry support. Today, AFE focuses on the needs of the floral industry now and in the future by supporting projects like the ones listed below.
AFE’s Currently Funded Research
Addressing industry challenges through cutting-edge research.
These projects address key needs of the industry from Thrips and Botrytis control, to developing the next generation of anti-ethylene control and development of disease-resistant plants. Results from the ongoing projects are shared with the industry in trade magazine publications, electronic newsletters, conferences and trade shows, and here on the AFE website. Additionally, research findings are presented monthly through AFE’s Grow Pro Webinar Series. These webinars are free to attend thanks to industry sponsorships and include time for direct Q&A with the researchers.
We welcome industry suggestions about critical needs and solutions to nagging problems.
AFE can help you. Have suggestions or need information on specific problems, contact our research team.
And, please remember that AFE has an active internship program and scholarship program to develop the next generation of floriculture professionals. If you are interested in hosting an intern, please contact Candice Musgrove (cmusgrove@afeendowment.org).
AFE’s Currently Funded Research
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
- Enhancing the Performance of Biological Control Agents for Botrytis Control: Jim Faust and Guido Schnabel, Clemson University
- Objective: Prospective biological control agents for Botrytis blight often perform well in the lab but fail in the greenhouse. Their 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
- Objective: Prospective biological control agents for Botrytis blight often perform well in the lab but fail in the greenhouse. Their 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
- Asteraceae Petal Blight: Pathogen Identification and Methods to Facilitate Effective Control Strategies:Julia Kerrigan, Clemson University
- Objective: Identify causal organisms from flowers received from different commercial locations and seasons. Develop methodology to distinguish these organisms. Screen fungicides for efficacy and resistance.
- Objective: Identify causal organisms from flowers received from different commercial locations and seasons. Develop methodology to distinguish these organisms. Screen fungicides for efficacy and resistance.
- Supporting the U.S. Specialty Cut Flower Industry through Diagnostics, Disease Management and Outreach (GP): Francesca Hand, The Ohio State University
- Objective: Evaluate the use of anaerobic soil disinfestation for the management of pathogens affecting specialty cut flowers and develop outreach material to educate growers on plant diseases affecting cut flowers.
INSECT MANAGEMENT
- Mitigation of the invasive tropical pest, Thrips parvispinus: clean start and biological control: 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.
- 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: Christian Nansen, UC Davis
- Objective: In this 3-tiered project, they 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.
Nutrition and Water Management
- Floriculture Production Practices in Peat Reduced Substrates: 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, and improve crop quality while using more economical and sustainable peat alternatives.
PLANT BREEDING AND GENETIC ENGINEERING
- Use of CRISPR to Develop Powdery Mildew Resistance in Gerbera: Dayton Wilde, University of Georgia
- Objective: 1. Gene editing of the gerbera MLO gene to confer powdery mildew resistance. 2. Develop a somatic embryogenesis system for gerbera. 3. Investigate non-transgenic means to introduce CRISPR constructs.
POST-PRODUCTION
- Development of Potent Ethylene Antagonists for Floricultural Crops: 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/PROTOCOLS
- Identification and Application of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria to Improve Floriculture Crop Plant Quality and Reduce Inputs: 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.
- 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.
- Developing Foliage Stock Plant, Liner, and Finish Plant Production Protocols for Temperate Climates: Roberto Lopez, Michigan State University
- Objective: To quantify how DLI, air and root-zone temperature, and PGRs interact to affect cutting yield and rooting, and produce high-quality liners and model how temperature influences leaf unfolding rates
- Objective: To quantify how DLI, air and root-zone temperature, and PGRs interact to affect cutting yield and rooting, and produce high-quality liners and model how temperature influences leaf unfolding rates
- Putting Floriculture A.I. to Work: Development of smart diagnostic tools: 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.
- 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: Jeb Fields, Louisiana State University
- 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. They will fine tune irrigation and fertility applications to strengthen comprehension of stratified-grown crops, water use and fertilizer efficiency.
Interested In Hosting An Intern?
Remember that AFE has an active internship program and scholarship program to develop the next generation of floriculture professionals. If you are interested in hosting an intern, please contact us!
Looking For Funding?
AFE is committed to supporting research that advances the industry and combats current challenges. This research benefits every segment of the industry. We welcome new research proposal applications by August 1st of each year.
Awarding scholarships for floriculture and horticulture students is a primary function of AFE. We understand the financial burden students face and are doing our part to help! Applications for our over 30 scholarships are due on May 1st of each year.
AFE strongly believes in funding educational programs to promote and strengthen the floriculture industry. The majority of the programs funded are wide-reaching and focus on attracting young people to the industry or are educational endeavors to identify and solve industry needs and/or challenges.