AFE’s Currently Funded Research

Our Focus

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. 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.

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Current Research Priorities

Our priorities are focused on all floricultural crops, including fresh-cut flowers and greens, flowering and foliage potted plants, bedding plants, and perennials. Projects benefiting any industry segment, from grower to the consumer will be considered for funding. Click here to view the full list of priorities.

AFE’s Currently Funded Research

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. 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
    
• 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

• 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, 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. 
    
• 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 and 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.
    
• 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, and improve crop quality while using more economical and sustainable peat alternatives. 

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/PROTOCOLS

• 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. 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!

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Looking For Funding?

Research Scholarships Grants

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.

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