I. Statement of Purpose

The mission of the Floriculture Program at The Ohio State University is to provide the American floriculture industry with the resources necessary to attain sustained profitability and international competitiveness. This mission will be accomplished through a highly integrated program of extension, undergraduate and graduate education, and research:

Research will focus on the development of techniques that maximize profitability of crops, reduce economic inputs, and achieve government mandated environmental standards.

Education Programs will provide the industry with a labor force skilled and knowledgeable in all phases of production.

Extension will be devoted to the development of an educational and information service empowering growers with the ability to make their own decisions that result in successfully producing profitable crops.

II. Floriculture Research

Crop Production Technology

In the most basic terms, the primary objective of the grower is to regulate the growth and development of plants that maximizes the value of a crop. Growers need to control flowering, plant stature (height) and architecture (branching), and the rate (timing) of development. Growers, wholesalers, and retailers must also control post-production conditions to extend "shelf life". Knowledge of how environmental factors impact the growth and development of plants and product quality is vitally important as well. The objectives and goals of this research thrust are focused on developing new and innovative approaches to the production of floriculture crops that improve efficiency, increase productivity, and maximize profitability of American growers.

1. Develop and integrate new methods of growth regulation into existing production systems. Growers use two complementary approaches to manipulate plant growth and development. They either alter crop environment, or they adopt new cultivars in which the internal control mechanisms have been modified at the genetic level to create plants with specific desirable attributes. In addition, the advent of genetic engineering of many plant species provides a potentially useful tool by which plant characteristics can be manipulated to create essentially "designer plants". (McMahon, Metzger, Pasian, and Rose)

2. Development of new crop production technologies. American growers are facing increased competitive pressure from foreign producers. In order to meet these challenges, growers must invest in technologies that reduce production costs. Research is needed on new technologies that increase the efficiency of greenhouse resource management and are easy and economical to incorporate into existing production systems of small and large growers alike. Moreover, new mechanisms for technology transfer need to be developed and implemented. (Pasain and Rose)

3. Develop and evaluate of new crop production programs. For a number of key crops, American growers have seen their market share eroded by foreign advantages in lower labor costs, fewer government regulatory burdens, and favorable climatic conditions. Two approaches need to be undertaken if this trend is to be reversed: First, there is an urgent need to evaluate and improve existing production methods for crops that are increasingly under foreign pressure. Secondly, there is a need to identify new crops for domestic production as potential replacements for crops lost to foreign competition, develop production strategies for them, and disseminate the information to growers. (Metzger, Pasian, and Rose)

Bioregulation of Physiological Processes in Floriculture Crops

Development of new and innovative production strategies for floriculture crops is predicated on a thorough understanding of the physiological processes governing plant growth and development. Additional information is needed on how plants perceive and respond to changes in their environment. Furthermore, the key to fulfilling the promise of biotechnology is the dissection of the biochemical and genetic basis of those phenomena important to the floriculture industry. Consequently, the focus of research in this theme is on the following four areas:

1. Internal and External Factors Regulating Water Relations in Floriculture Crops. Crop water use is very important to growers. While all growers understand that their crops require adequate water to survive, they have little information to decide when and how much to irrigate their crops. Problems with overwatering such as diseases and physiological disorders can be just as devastating as underwatering. More research is needed to understand the physiological basis for, and the interaction of environmental factors in, water use efficiency by floriculture crops. (Metzger, Pasian and Rose)

2. Cellular, Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms of Growth Regulation. Producers also spend a considerable amount effort in controlling the growth of plants; in general, high quality plants can not be too tall, should be full, and have large flowers. All of these quality factors are based on the growth of specific organs that is highly regulated by the plant in response to environmental factors. Understanding the complex interaction of the environment with plants' internal regulatory mechanisms will lead to more effective use of the techniques now used for growth regulation. Furthermore, basic research on growth regulation will enable the development of novel techniques that reduce or eliminate the need for chemical growth regulators. (McMahon and Metzger)

3. Regulatory Mechanisms in Flowering. Production of plants with flowers is the primary objective for most floriculture crops. Flowering is a highly complex developmental phenomenon that is often induced by specific environmental cues such as daylength (photoperiodism) or low, non-freezing temperatures (vernalization). Although there is a large body of empirical information regarding the effects of environmental factors on flowering, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which flowering is controlled remain enigmatic. A more complete understanding of the regulation of flowering will lead to more efficient and precise timing, reduce crop production times, and accelerate breeding programs. (Metzger)

4. Physiological Factors Affecting Seed Germination and Vigor. Seed quality is underemphasized in floriculture research. Plug producers need to be concerned with both the percentage and uniformity ofgermination, as well as the vigor of the seedlings. Seed producers need to minimize seed deterioration during maturation, harvesting, and marketing. Furthermore, they need to have high standards of quality control for purity, especially when producing expensive hybrid seed. The phyiological limitations to germination imposed by the environment (dormancy and abiotic stress) have not yet been defined for many amental and landscape crops, nor has there been adequate research on osmoconditioning and other seed treatments to enhance seedling establishment. (McDonald)

Floriculture Germplasm and Genetic Systems

Genetic improvement through breeding and biotechnology is a major key to increasing the efficiency of floriculture crop production and creating new products that are valued by consumers. However, breeding programs in both industry and academia lack access to a diverse pool of germplasm from which to incorporate valuable traits into new cultivars. In addition, breeders are also hampered by the excessive periods required to produce new cultivars for many floriculture crops. The ability to incorporate novel genes into crops through biotechnology is hindered by inadequate gene transfer systems. Thus, the objectives of this research theme are centered on the development of the genetic resources for floriculture crops.

1. Establish Germplasm Repository for Herbacious Ornamental Crops. Highly valued traits such as pest resistance, compact growth habit, and stress tolerance all have a genetic basis, as do aesthetic qualities such as flower color and form that sustain consumer interest. The ability to breed for traits that improve production efficiency requires a diverse pool of germplasm from which to incorporate new genes into existing crops. There is a critical need for the establishment of a germplasm repository for floriculture crops from which breeders can draw for their programs. (McDonald and Metzger)

2. New Crop Development. Key to sustained consumer interest in floriculture products is the continual introduction of novel products for the home and garden. While conventional breeding programs have had significant success in creating new products for the consumer, the introduction of novel traits into existing crops should be exploited. In addition, more work needs to be focused on the introduction, testing, and development of wild species as potential crops for cut flowers, potted house plants, and the garden. (Metzger and Pasian)

3. Genetic Systems in Floriculture Crops. Efficient breeding programs require the establishment of the genetic basis for traits of interest. For most ornamental plants, there is a critical need to identify, characterize, and determine the inheritance patterns of genetic loci for important traits. In addition, efficient transformation systems for ornamental crops need to be developed in order to exploit biotechnology. It is also important that patent holders be protected from unauthorized propagation and sale of cultivars that they developed; the use of "molecular fingerprinting" would provide unambiguous information regarding cultivar identity. (Faculty to be identified at a later time)

III. Undergraduate Education

Foundations of Floriculture Science

During the course of producing a crop, a grower is constantly faced with problems that require quick decisions. These situations are often novel and cannot be always be solved via formula approaches. Solutions to problems need to be based squarely on the scientific method in which the grower is able to carefully and objectively observe, process the information in a logically manner, and develop options for the best course of action. In addition, these decisions must be made in the context of a business and managerial environment. This requires that the grower is able to draw from a firm foundation of information from a variety of disciplines. For students to understand the scientific basis of crop production, they must be able to integrate the fundamental concepts from biology, botany, and environmental science.

1. Floriculture Crop Biology. Floriculture science is based on the fundamental biology of the crops. Students need to learn the basic factors that influence and limit crop growth and development and how this information is used in the production of floriculture crops.

2. Creating and Maintaining the Production Environment. The grower needs to be vigilant of a myriad of biotic and abiotic greenhouse environmental conditions. In general, successful production of floriculture crops requires more intensive monitoring and manipulation of environmental factors than any other types of crop. A rigorous floriculture education needs to include a thorough exploration of the physical and engineering requirements of modern greenhouses used in crop production. This knowledge must also be conveyed in the context of the specific physiological requirements associated with the production of individual crops. In addition, the concept of cost-benefit analysis as a guiding principle in all decisions regarding the physical environment of the greenhouse needs to be routinely included in all floriculture production courses.

3. Crop Production Strategies. Profitability of any crop is predicated on an efficient production strategy that incorporates all the requirements necessary for maximum plant quality with the minimum economic input. Growers therefore need to understand how to utilize technologies and implement methods that form the basis of modern floriculture crop production.

Professional Skills

Floriculture students are training to be professionals and must have specific professional skills to succeed. These skills are crucial and require years to evelop. The curriculum developed by OSU and the Dept. of H&CS recognizes this need and promotes its development. Floriculture courses are designed to allow students to practice these skills in a supportive setting that is relevant to situations that will be faced as employees of the industry.

1. Develop Communication Skills. Members at all levels of the floriculture industry face daily situations in which effective communication is essential. They have to be able accurately provide and receive information as employees, as a managers/leaders, as technical experts, and as a spokespersons for their firm. Good communication skills includes proficiency in both written and verbal forms of information dissemination, as well as the ability to listen and process information.

2. Develop Individual Leadership Qualities. Students graduating with baccalaureate degrees are the future leaders of the American floriculture industry. If the industry is to remain competitive, then it must have a cadre of leaders/managers who are not only thoroughly trained in technical aspects, but also must be imbued with personal qualities such as self-motivation, self-reliance, and have self-esteem. Students must also understand that these qualities are intricately tied to acceptance of accountability and responsibility for individual actions. Although these qualities are are not taught but are instead learned through experience, classroom situations can be created to promote their development.

3. Develop Professional Team Skills. The quality management programs that are driving much of today's and future business practices are based on the team concept. In order to effectively compete in the global marketplace, the American floriculture industry needs leaders who grasp the concept of team management and understand team dynamics to effectively utilize their leadership skills.

IV. Graduate Education

The most important innovations in the floriculture industry will be derived by applying knowledge and technology from other disciplines to floricultural problems. The applications of computer science, genetics, and engineering to everyday greenhouse production practices- which we now take for granted- are some of the many examples of the importance of utilizing research and technology from outside the normal boundaries of the discipline we call "floriculture". Since the primary purpose of a graduate education program in floriculture is to prepare future scientists and researchers who will provide the industry with new ideas and technologies, it follows that such programs need to be broadly based in many disciplines. This then forms the guiding principle directing the objectives and goals for the Floriculture Graduate Education Program at OSU

Professional Skills. An important component in the development of a graduate student into a well-rounded and complete scientist capable of managing an independent research program is an educational program that encompasses a series of professional skills surpassing that which is learned in traditional classroom settings; these skills form the essence of what science is, and the role that it has in society.

1. Individual Leadership and Self-Empowerment Skills. Scientific creativity and productivity demand proficiency in a set of skills not normally required for those students ending their formal education at the baccalaureate level. Scientists need to be able to gather information from diverse discipline areas, critically analyze, and integrate the information into general conclusions. The ability to ask the appropriate questions, ie., formulate testable hypotheses is critical if a scientist is to be successful. In addition, today's scientists need to be well versed in a variety of technical skills in order to be able to attack complex scientific problems.

2. Communication Skills. The ability to communicate is obligatory skill for scientists and researchers. Not only do they have to be able to communicate their results to their peers, but they must be able to present scientific information so that the target groups can effectively use that information. Moreover, the ability to attract grant money for funding research projects is heavily dependent on the ability to effectively communicate. Therefore the development of communication skills is priority objective for the OSU Floriculture Program at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

3. Professional Team Skills. As in the business world, successful scientific research projects are based upon a team concept in which individual team members have expertise in different areas. For the research project to succeed, it is necessary for the team goals to be clearly articulated. In addition, the role of each team member needs to be defined and understood by all other members. Finally, a well managed research team needs a leader who thoroughly understands team dynamics and can effectively marshall resources and focus the collective talents of team members to attain goals and objectives.

V. Floriculture Extension

In the past, extension was perceived as an advisory and consultive organization on which growers relied to make many decisions during the course of producing a crop. In addition, chemical and seed companies viewed university extension programs as a convenient and inexpensive product testing service. At present, however, the University has diminished resources to perform these functions at past levels. Therefore, floriculture extension at OSU is evolving into primarily an educational and information service that will enable growers to be less reliant on the university for making decisions and diagnosing problems.

For Efficient Information Exchange. For Floriculture Extension to effectively serve Ohio growers, it is essential that efficient lines of information exchange are available. First, OSU Floriculture Extension must have the means to continuously monitor current trends and to identify emerging problems; this requires a rapid supply of accurate and up-to-date information from the field. Second, growers need an easily accessible source of current information, ie., there needs to be efficient mechanisms for the dissemination of useful information.

1. Nurture Communication Channels with the Ohio Floriculture Industry. The primary responsibility of OSU Floriculture Extension is to serve as a bridge between the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science and the Ohio commercial floriculture industry by developing two-way channels of communication. There is a critical need to develop and foster information links with growers that utilize traditional means of communication as well as modern electronic information exchange technology.

Grower Education for an Environmentally Sound and Profitable Industry

1. Teach Technical Skills for More Efficient and Environmentally Sound Floriculture Crop Production. For growers to remain competitive, it is essential that they stay abreast of the latest developments in technology, production techniques, new crops, and government regulations. Educational and informational services need to be available for growers so that they have the ability to make their own educated decisions resulting in more successful, profitable, and environmentally sound crop production.

2. Teach Management Skills for Higher Profitability. A highly competitive global economy and an unpredictable market for floricultural crops in the US may compromise profitability of Ohio producers who may be excellent crop growers but lack modern business management skills. Educational and informational services to teach growers how to be better managers will keep the Ohio floriculture industry profitable and make it more competitive with out-of-state and foreign competition.

Creation of a Floriculture Information Clearinghouse

For growers to make informed decisions regarding any aspect of crop production, it is important to have a knowledge base that encompasses a wide variety of disciplines and subject areas. Trade journals only partially fill growers' needs for acquiring up-to-date and/or in depth information. There is a critical need to have a readily accessible pool of information from which growers can draw for prudent decisions. The floriculture extension program at OSU is developing a "floriculture information clearing house" in which an in depth information base is acquired and a variety of methods by which growers can easily access that information created.

1. Determine Industry Needs for Information and Technology Transfer. Modern technology puts an ever growing amount of information at our finger tips. To read, interpret, and become an expert in more than a few subjects is impractical. A major goal of this extension program is to pool together specialists with expertise in a variety of disciplines. This group of experts will communicate on a regular basis and discuss issues of interest to the floriculture industry in Ohio and surrounding states.

2. Effectively Utilize Extension Agents for Primary Grower Contact. County extension agents represent the first line of defense when a grower has a problem. A major goal of this extension program is to increase the interest in floriculture among Ohio Extension Agents and to provide them with the opportunity of increasing their knowledge in this field.