AFE approves more than $280,000 in research funding

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) has approved more than $280,000 in scientific research project funding for 2014-2015 to support five continuing projects, five new projects and the Gus Poesch Research Fund.

 

“AFE research covers expansive topics that help address and solve critical industry issues,” says Eric Nissen of Sunshine State Carnations, Inc. and AFE Production and Post-Harvest Research committee chairman. “These projects will all provide useful information that will enable the entire floral industry to become more productive and profitable.”

• Managing Pythium Species in Floriculture Irrigation Water: Dr. Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University, $40,000 (year one of three)

• Integrated Control of Western Flower Thrips: Dr. Steven Frank, North Carolina State University, $18,900 (year two of two)
• Beneficial Fungal Endophytes for Effective Insect Management in Floricultural Crops: Dr. Kevin Heinz, Texas A&M University, $33,000 (year two of three)

• Gene Mining in Impatiens for Resistance to Infection by the Downy Mildew Pathogen, Plasmopara Obducens: Dr. Gul Shad Ali, Dr. Aaron Palmateer and Dr. Tamer Kahveci, University of Florida, $29,000 (year one of one)
• Development of Petunia with Enhanced Stress Tolerance: Dr. Nicole Waterland, West Virginia University, $19,000 (year one of two)

Post Production

• New and Potent Inhibitors of Ethylene Action for Improving Cut Flower Longevity: Dr. Rasika Dias, The University of Texas at Arlington, $24,200 (year one of two)
• Innovative Packaging Technologies to Enhance the Quality of Fresh Cut Flowers: Dr. Thomas Gianfagna, Rutgers, $10,300 (year one of one)

• Utilization of Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) Irradiation on Ornamental Plants for Disease Suppression, Growth Regulation and Extended Post-Harvest Longevity: Dr. Mark Bridgen, Cornell University, $18,700 (year two of three)
• Post-Shipping/Storage Solutions for Recovery and Rooting of Unrooted Cuttings: Dr. John Dole, NCSU, $31,900 (year two of two)
• Development and Evaluation of Various Biochars as Aggregates for Increasing Substrate pH Stability: Dr. Brian Jackson, NCSU, $28,000 (year two of three)

Gus Poesch Research Fund for The Ohio State University (2013-2014)

• Online Tool for Insect Forecast and Control: Dr. Luis Canas, $12,200
• Basic and Applied Production and Post Production Training for Future Floriculture Faculty: Dr. Michelle Jones,$12,900
• Floriculture Industry Roundtable of Ohio: Dr. Claudio Pasian, $2,000