The goal is to raise $1.5 million through industry support to conduct new and innovative research leading to effective control procedures and management strategies. The research will lead to reduced losses and higher quality flowers and plants.
There are several research projects being funded by the Endowment, but two are currently being fast-tracked in 2018:
Spray Application of Calcium and Silicon on Flower Petals to Improve Resistance to Botrytis Infection and Western Flower Thrips Feeding
- This three-year project will be led by team leader James Faust of Clemson University.
- Research goal: Improve Botrytis and thrips management on flower petals through increased host resistance resulting from calcium and/or silicon spray application.
- Objective: Evaluate the effect of calcium and silicon to improve flower petal resistance to Botrytis and western flower thrips.
- This three-year project will be led by team leader Bruce Parker, Ph.D., of the University of Vermont.
- Research goal: Develop strategies for using ultraviolet light to disrupt population expansion of western flower thrips as an efficient tool in floral crop production.
- Objective: Determine the effect of the western flower thrips' lethal dose of UV-C exposure on the growth and flowering of roses and mums under lab conditions.
- Bouquet Collection, Inc.
- CalFlowers
- Continental Flowers
- Equiflor Corp. – Rio Roses
- Falcon Farms, Inc.
- Fresca Farms
- Galleria Farms
- Golden Flowers
- Jardines de los Andes
- Metrolina Greenhouses
- The Elite Flower Company
- The Queen's Flowers Corp.
- Solé Farms
For more information
American Floral Endowment
T: +1 (703) 838-5211
www.endowment.org