US (CA): CCFC funds two studies of benefit to the floriculture industry
Founded in 1993 to honor longtime flower farmer and industry leader Kee Kitayama, KKRF funds research and provides educational programs for California's cut flower and potted plant industry. The CCFC collaborated with KKRF to identify and fund initiatives to improve production and the competitiveness of California's flower farms.
"In these rapidly changing times, it's imperative that all farmers step up and invest in research to help maintain the viability of our farms. By working collectively to fund projects through organizations like KKRF, we are better able to find solutions to the challenges that continue to affect growers in the floriculture industry," said Mike A. Mellano, chair of CCFC's Grower Research and Economic Development (GRED) Committee and chair of the KKRF. "It's really exciting that KKRF, working with the CCFC, is able to direct and fund projects with world-class researchers throughout the university system."
A study titled "Potential Risks From Current Use of Imidacloprid On Waxflower To Honey Bees And Other Pollinators And Suggested Alternative Best Management Practices" by James A. Bethke, floriculture nursery farm adviser for UC Cooperative Extension San Diego, received $11,700 in funding.
The study aims to: determine concentrations of imidacloprid found in selected parts of the plant (stem, leaf, flower, nectar, and pollen); investigate alternative chemical control methods for piercing sucking insects and other pests of waxflower; and develop alternative best management practices for waxflower production.
A second study titled "Evaluation of Biocontrol and Conventional Fungicides for Control of Phytophthora in California Ornamental Nurseries" received $18,300 in funding.
"I'm very pleased to have received funding from CCFC for my research. The funding was essential in providing sufficient support to get this important and timely evaluation underway," said study director, Steve Tjosvold, environmental farm adviser for the University of California Cooperative extension.
For more information:
California Cut Flower Commission
PO Box 90225, Santa Barbara, CA
93190-0225
www.ccfc.org