he Florida ornamental plant industry has an annual wholesale value exceeding $1.75 billion, with a $9 billion total value added impact to the State.  The rapid growth in the ornamental industry has produced unique sets of problems for plant disease researchers.  Growers cultivate an assortment of plant species in structures that include multimillion dollar computerized greenhouses, shadehouses, plastic poly hoop-houses, and Dutch glass greenhouses.  The environmental conditions in these various structures along with cultural differences of the many plant species, makes each disease outbreak and subsequent management recommendation unique.

s a plant pathologist assigned to work with the ornamental plant industry in Florida, I have developed a diverse research program that includes both applied and basic components.