US: AFE awards $325,000 to new research projects
“The floriculture industry faces complex challenges that AFE-funded research helps address,” said Terril Nell, Ph.D., AFE Research Coordinator.
“These projects will directly benefit the industry by providing useful information to help solve critical issues, which will escalate the productivity and profitability of businesses.”
The funding will support four new projects and seven continuing projects. The goal of all AFE research is to provide knowledge that helps the industry grow stronger.
Plant breeding and genetic engineering
Making Better Plant Products by Understanding Dynamic Facets of Metabolism: Dr. Thomas A. Colquhoun, University of Florida, $33,000
Objective: Key enzyme and protein groups are being classified in Lily as a means of using this information in traditional breeding programs to create plants with favorable traits such as: stronger stems, pests/disease resistance, more colorful flowers and just the right amount of fragrance.
Understanding How Temperature Influences Crop Production Time to Facilitate Selection and Breeding of Cool-Tolerant Bedding Plants: Dr. Ryan Warner, Michigan State University, $30,827
Objective: Establish the temperature sensitivity for cropping time of current petunia and calibrachoa cultivars leading to an understanding of the genetic relationship of temperature and flowering. These results will provide commercial breeders with information to develop cultivars that will flower in the same time as plants grown at warmer production temperatures.
Disease management
Engineering Impatiens for Resistance to the Devastating Disease Downy Mildew: Dr. Zhanao Deng, University of Florida, $31,500
Objective: Develop plants with a modified plant defense gene (NPR1) that will result in plants with resistance to downy mildew during production and in the landscape.
Finding Solutions to Pre-Harvest Botrytis Infection of Cut Roses: Dr. James Faust, Clemson University, $39,767
Objective: Develop and understand the relationships between the greenhouse environment, such as temperature, humidity, leaf wetness and cultural practices on Botrytis spore populations in cut roses.
Thrips
Insect management
A Novel Approach to Fungal-based Thrips Management with Marigold Guardian Plants: Dr. Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont, $24,815
Objective: Evaluate the persistence of Beauveria bassiana, an insect-killing fungus, that when combined with a solid nutritional substrate (millet) in the potting mix will provide control of western flower thrips for longer periods.
Successful IPM of Western Flower Thrips Starts with Clean Cuttings: Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, $45,000 (NEW!)
Objective: Investigate the use of cutting dips containing reduced-risk materials (insecticidal soap, mineral oil) and biopesticides (Beauveria bassiana) as a means of reducing thrips infestations on propagative materials to levels where they can be easily managed thereafter using biocontrol.
Post production
Economic and Postharvest Quality Analysis of Floriculture Crops Produced at Substrate Moisture Content: Dr. Terri Starman, Texas A&M University, $13,500 (NEW!)
Objective: Demonstrate that use of lower volumes of water applied during irrigation can produce high-quality bedding plants with improved shelf life at retail while conserving water during production.
Cut rose with Botrytis
Inhibitors of Ethylene Action for Improving Cut Flower Longevity: Dr. Rasika Dias, University of Texas at Arlington, $21,500 (NEW!)
Objective: Improve our fundamental understanding of ethylene chemistry in plants, offer new and better ethylene antagonists for wider use, and provide ways of managing post-harvest quality of flowers and shelf life.
Postharvest Management of Botrytis During Shipping and Storage: Dr. John Dole, North Carolina State University, $34,000
Objective: Identify the relationship between ethylene sensitivity and Botrytis susceptibility of cut roses and whether use of anti-ethylene agents reduce Botrytis development. Also, the relationship of temperature and relative humidity conditions inside shipping boxes will be related to incidence of Botrytis relative to packing materials and pre-cooling methods.
Production technology/protocols
Making LED Lighting More Cost-Effective: Dr. Marc van Iersel, University of Georgia, $20,000
Objective: Supplemental lighting is most efficient when little sunlight is available. Programs will be developed to effectively use supplemental LED lighting based on environmental conditions and plant growth requirements. Also, the use of far-red supplemental lighting will be evaluated to induce flowering in short day plants.
Development of Sole-Source Lighting Guidelines for the Production of Floriculture Transplants: Dr. Erik Runkle, Michigan State University, $30,973 (NEW!)
Objective: This project will provide an understanding of how sole source LED lighting from red, blue, far-red and ultra-violet lighting will affect growth and development on a broad range of floriculture crops (including bedding plants, herbaceous perennials and cut flower transplants).
For more information
American Floral Endowment
T: +1 (703) 838-5211
www.endowment.org