Feb 20, 2009

HRI Awards $200,000 in Research Grants and ScholarshipsSource: Horticulture Research Industry

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the research arm of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA), recently granted $200,000 to nine research projects and five student scholarships throughout the country for 2009, fueling the future of the green industry.

Key considerations used by the HRI executive committee in determining funding levels and research grants included economic conditions impacting HRI’s in¬vestment income, the green industry economic outlook and the general quality of the research proposals. The selected research projects showed collaborative efforts between researchers and research institutions, along with a focus on priority issues for the green industry, according to an HRI press release.

The HRI leadership remains committed to HRI’s stakeholders and mission to support innovative and quality research that is vital for the growth of the green industry.

HRI continues research activities through collaboration with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative. HRI will continue to expand the funding base for nursery research by pursuing appropriate external funding opportunities such as competitive grants from USDA and other federal agencies.

HRI Grants and Scholarships for 2009 (research funding is subject to institutional and researcher contractual agreements with HRI):

$50,000 – Development of alternative container substrates a block grant
Auburn University, Ala., and Kansas State University
(Drs. Charles H. Gilliam, Jeff L. Sibley, Glenn Fain and Cheryl Boyer)

$30,000 – Development of new landscape plants for all regions of North America Landscape Plant Development Center, Minn., Washington State University and North Dakota State University
(Drs. Harold Pellett, Rita L. Hummel and David Dai)

$17, 500 – Reducing pesticide consumption through targeted application in nurseries
The Ohio State University, Ohio
(Dr. Erdal Ozkan)

$20,000 – Your trees on crack: The role of glyphosate in nursery/landscape bark cracking
The Ohio State University, USDA-ARS, Ore., and Purdue University, Ind.
(Drs. Hannah Mathers, Carolyn Scagel, Janna L. Beckerman and Michael V. Mickelbart)

$20,000 – Structural changes in the U.S. nursery industry: An assessment of production and marketing trends
University of Florida IFAS and Texas A&M University
(Drs. John J. Haydu, Alan Hodges, Charles R. Hall and Marco Palma)

$25,000 – A systematic approach to solve nursery and landscape water management: Initial industry application
Colorado State University
(Dr. William L. Bauerle)

$20,000 – Biodegradable plant container business plan
(HRI representatives to be determined)

$6,000 – Influence of nitrogen application rate on the development of powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases and growth of crapemyrtle, hydrangea and rose
Auburn University, Ala.
(Drs. Kira Bowen and Austin Hagan)

$5,000 – Sustainable Sites Initiative
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas
(Dr. Steve Windhager)

HRI Student Scholarships
$1,750 – Timothy Bigelow and Palmer W. Bigelow Jr. Scholarship
$2,000 – Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship
$1,250 – Spring Meadow Nursery Scholarship
$750 – The Usrey Family Scholarship
$750 – The Muggets Scholarship

For more information, contact Teresa Jodon at (202) 789-2900 or tjodon@anla.org.