Thrips & Botrytis Research Library

This is the result of a five-year dedicated research initiative to address the control and management of Thrips and Botrytis. It is a one-stop-shop complete with informative webinars, insightful fact sheets, and engaging articles in both English and Spanish. 

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A floriculture researcher holding a plant in a small pots uses a dropper to apply a substance to the soil of the plant.

About the Thrips & Botrytis Library

In 2017, a special research campaign was established to address the control and management of Thrips and Botrytis. Losses from these pests affect all segments of the industry every day, and thrips and botrytis are challenging to control using currently available pesticides and management strategies. AFE’s goal of reaching $1.5 million in pledges was met in 2019 with contributions from 25 industry leaders and organizations to support new and innovative research to address these challenges. With those funds, AFE has been able to support more than fifteen multi-year research projects to reduce losses and produce higher-quality flowers and plants. Research and research findings like those presented today are possible only through industry support and contributions. Thanks to generous donors, AFE can provide research solutions to support a stronger industry. Make a donation today!

View Thrips Resources → View Botrytis Resources →

Educational Training Packets

These training packets were created by the American Floral Endowment as a part of our Thrips and Botrytis Educational Training Programs. Our first training sessions occurred in late 2022 in Colombia. Feel free to download these and use them as an ongoing educational and training resource for you, your business and your employees! To download, click the links below and then press ‘Save As’ on the file.

Download the Botrytis Presentation (Spanish)

Download the Botrytis Presentation (Spanish)

Download the Thrips Presentation (English)

Download the Thrips Presentation (English)

Our Sponsors

Thank you to the following organizations who have made contributions in support of this important initiative!
  • Altman Plants
  • Ball S.B.
  • Bouquet Collection, Inc.
  • CalFlowers
  • Colombia Flower Council by Asocolflores & AFIF
  • Continental Flowers
  • Equiflor Corp. – Rio Roses
  • Falcon Farms, Inc.
  • FlorExpo, LLC
  • Fresca Farms
  • Galleria Farms
  • Golden Flowers
  • Jardines de los Andes
  • Joseph H. Hill Memorial Foundation, Inc.
  • Kee Kitayama Research Foundation
  • Len Busch Roses
  • Mayesh Wholesale Florist
  • Metrolina Greenhouses
  • Passion Growers
  • Royal Flowers
  • Tagawa Greenhouses
  • The Elite Flower Company
  • The Queen’s Flowers Corp.
  • Solé Farms
  • Sunshine Bouquet Company

Find Solutions By Species

A particular plant giving you trouble? We’ve got you covered! Click the species below to see research reports in English and Spanish.

Don’t see what you need? Contact lbarth@afeendowment.org to let us know and we will try our best to connect you to the best resources available.

En Español

Species

Calibrachoa

Can Western Flower Thrips be Managed without Insecticides?

Chrysanthemum

Evaluation of UV-C for Management of Western Flower Thrips in Commercial Greenhouses
Less is More: Reducing Fertilizer Application Adds to Chrysanthemum IPM Strategy
Can Western Flower Thrips be Managed without Insecticides?
Distinction of arthropod-induced stressors of Chrysanthemum using hyperspectral imaging technologies
Manipulating nutrient inputs to reduce thrips in flower crops
Controlling Thrips: Start Clean by Dipping Unrooted Cuttings

Geranium

Managing Botrytis blight on geraniums

Gerbera

Can calcium and silicon sprays reduce thrips damage?
Less is More: Reducing Fertilizer Application Adds to Chrysanthemum IPM Strategy
Natamycin for Botrytis Blight Management of Floriculture Crops

Marigolds

Evaluation of UV-C for Management of Western Flower Thrips in Commercial Greenhouses
Encouraging Progress on Thrips Management with Ultraviolet Light
Can Western Flower Thrips be Managed without Insecticides?
A Novel Approach to Fungal-based Thrips Management with Marigold Guardian Plants
From Marigold Guardian Plants to Habitat Hedges: Stepping It Up a Notch
Insect-killing Fungi and Marigolds Team Up
Insect-killing fungi for thrips IPM
Magnificent Marigolds: A Plant-Mediated System to Enhance Thrips IPM

Petunia

Key Takeaways & Pointers for Botrytis Management Alternatives to Conventional Fungicides
Can calcium and silicon sprays reduce thrips damage?
Evaluation of the Combination of Natamycin, On-Gard Calcium, and Howler for Botrytis Blight Management on Petunia Flowers
Optimizing the efficacy of beneficial bacteria against Botrytis blight in greenhouse crops
Use of the Seafood Byproduct Chitosan for Management of Botrytis on Floriculture Crops
Natamycin for Botrytis Blight Management of Floriculture Crops
Biological control agents show promise as Botrytis management tools
Beneficial Bacteria Identified for the Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea in Floriculture Crops
Protect from Botrytis Infection: Achieving results with calcium treatments
Co-Application of Biopesticides and Chitosan for Optimized Suppression of Botrytis Infection in Greenhouse Floriculture

Poinsettia

Managing Botrytis blight on poinsettia

Portulaca

Can Western Flower Thrips be Managed without Insecticides?

Roses

Key Takeaways & Pointers for Botrytis Management Alternatives to Conventional Fungicides
Can calcium and silicon sprays reduce thrips damage?
New bioproducts for Botrytis blight management of floriculture Crops
Evaluation of the combination of natamycin and calcium dips on Botrytis infection of roses
Natamycin for Botrytis Blight Management of Floriculture Crops
Can Western Flower Thrips be Managed without Insecticides?
The Use of Calcium Sprays and Dips to Improve Botrytis Management
Research Update: Pink pigmentations in rose petals are not caused by Botrytis management in cut roses
A pre-season checklist for Botrytis management
Not all spots are Botrytis
Protect from Botrytis Infection: Achieving results with calcium treatments
Postharvest management of Botrytis during shipping and storage

Especies

Calibrachoa

¿Pueden ser los trips occidentales de las flores manejados sin el uso de insecticidas?

Crisantemo

Evaluación del uso de luz UV-C para el manejo de los trips occidentales de las flores en invernaderos comerciales
Menos, es más: reducción de la aplicación de fertilizantes se suma a las estrategias de MIP del crisantemo
¿Pueden ser los trisp occidentales de las flores manejados sin el uso de insecticidas?
Distinción del estrés inducido por artrópodos en crisantemo utilizando tecnologías de imágenes hiperespectrales
Manipulación de insumos nutricionales para reducir los trips en los cultivos de flores
Comienze limpio con inmersiones en sus esquejes sin enraizar

Gerbera

¿Pueden las aspersiones de calcio y silicio reducir el daño de trips?
Menos, es más: reducción de la aplicación de fertilizantes se suma a las estrategias de MIP del crisantemo
Natamicina para el manejo del moho gris de Botrytis en cultivos de floricultura

Tagetes

Evaluación del uso de luz UV-C para el manejo de los trips occidentales de las flores en invernaderos comerciales
Progreso alentador en el manejo de trips con luz ultravioleta
¿Pueden ser los trisp occidentales de las flores manejados sin el uso de insecticidas?
Un enfoque novedoso para el manejo de trips basado en el uso de hongos y plantas trampa de Tagetes
De plantas trampa de Tagetes a hábitats de cercos vivos: Un paso hacia adelante
Magnificas planta de mariagold: Un sistema midiado por plantas para MIP de trips

Petunia

Puntos clave para tener en cuenta sobre estrategias alternativas a los fungicidas convencionales para el manejo de Botrytis.
¿Pueden las aspersiones de calcio y silicio reducir el daño de trips?
Evaluación de la combinación de natamicina, On-Gard Calcium y howler para el control del moho gris de Botrytis en flores de petunia
Optimización de la eficacia de las bacterias beneficas contra el tizón de Botrytis (moho gris) en cultivos de invernadero
Uso del Subproducto de Mariscos Quitosano para el Manejo de Botrytis en Cultivos de Floricultura
Natamicina para el manejo del moho gris de Botrytis en cultivos de floricultura
Agentes de Control Biológico se muestran prometedores como estrategias de manejo de la pudrición por Botrytis
Bacterias benéficas identificadas para el control biológico de Botrytis cinerea en cultivos de floricultura
Logrando Resultados con Tratamientos de Calcio

Portulaca

¿Pueden ser los trisp occidentales de las flores manejados sin el uso de insecticidas?

Rosa

Puntos clave para tener en cuenta sobre estrategias alternativas a los fungicidas convencionales para el manejo de Botrytis.
¿Pueden las aspersiones de calcio y silicio reducir el daño de trips?
Nuevos bioproductos para el manejo del tizón de Botrytis en cultivos de floricultura
Evaluación de la potencial sinergia entre las aplicaciones de natamicina y calcio
Natamicina para el manejo del moho gris de Botrytis en cultivos de floricultura
¿Pueden ser los trisp occidentales de las flores manejados sin el uso de insecticidas?
Actualización de investigación: uso de aspersiones e inmersiones de calcio para el manejo de Botrytis
Las pigmentaciones rosadas en los pétalos de rosa no son causadas por Botrytis
Lista de ‘cosas por hacer’ en la pre-temporada para el manejo de Botrytis.
No todas las pecas son Botrytis
Logrando Resultados con Tratamientos de Calcio

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