The MNLA Horticulture Research Center

Michigan-funded research that protects the industry's future.

The Michigan Legislature created the Horticulture Fund within the State Treasury on October 31, 2003, through a revision to the Insect Pests and Plant Diseases Act (Act 189 of 1931). Generated through increases in nursery license fees, the Fund provides up to $70,000 annually for research projects, training programs, and outreach materials that safeguard plants and plant products from unwanted pests. MNLA worked with the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development to establish this competitive grant program, which currently awards up to $20,000 per approved proposal.

Explore Horticulture Fund-supported research by year:

• 2022 — Horticulture Bootcamp, Engineered Substrates & Irrigation Management, Fertilizer Placement & Weed Competition, Conifer Plantation Establishment (4 reports)

• 2021 — Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Daylily Production, Alternative Weed Control for Landscape & Christmas Tree Production (2 reports)

• 2019 — Container-Grown Landscape Tree Establishment, Reducing Pesticide Loss in Nursery Run-off (3 reports)

• 2018 — Biocontrol of Spruce Decline, Nursery Run-off & Pesticide Sensitivity, Root Knot Nematode in Daylilies (3 reports)

• 2017 — Nutrient Remediation, Reduced Phosphorus Fertilization, Root Knot Nematode Management, Pest & Pathogen Management Systems (4 reports)

• 2016 — Pest & Pathogen Management, De-icing Salt Impact on Raingardens, Bioreactor Nutrient Remediation, Christmas Tree Nutrient Management (4 reports)

• 2015 — Hop Greenhouse & Nursery Pest ID, Pollinator-Safe Production, Spruce Decline Epidemiology, Environmental Planting Practices (4 reports)

• 2014 — Green Roof Substrate Compost Evaluation, Phomopsis Decline Management, Spruce Decline in Michigan (3 reports)

View All Horticulture Fund Reports

Federal support driving research across Michigan's nursery industry.

Funded through the Federal Farm Bill and administered by the USDA, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Since the program began in 2009, Michigan's nursery and perennial plant producers (the state's largest specialty crop segment) have helped drive significant allocation to Michigan, and MNLA has received over $1.3 million in grants through the program to date.

Explore MNLA's SCBGP-funded research:

• 2009 – Sustainable Nutrient & Water Management for Container Tree Production

• 2009 – State-Wide Weed Control Initiative for Michigan Nursery & Landscape Industries

• 2010 – Addressing Weed Control Issues for the MI Nursery & Landscape Industries

• 2011 – Major Weed Control Issues in MI Nurseries

• 2012 – Weed Control in Specialized & Traditional MI Nurseries

• 2014 – MI Nursery & Floriculture Product Mix, Sales, Energy and Labor Survey

• 2015 – Development of Innovative Weed Control Programs for MI Nurseries

• 2017 – Killing the Weedy Competitors: Gaining Herbaceous Perennial Market Share for Michigan

• 2019 – The Sagacious and Shrewd Weed Control Imperative for Herbaceous Perennials

• 2020 – Debating Glyphosate: Understanding Herbicide Resistance and Residuals in Nurseries

• 2021 – New Herbicides and New Uses for MI Nursery Shrub Containers

A national partnership advancing the science behind the industry.

As MNLA's national research partner, the Horticulture Research Institute (HRI), the AmericanHort Foundation, supports the scientific research and students advancing the horticulture industry. Founded on the belief that the people working in horticulture every day are best positioned to guide its research, HRI funds and directs studies with input from industry professionals across nursery and greenhouse growing, retail garden centers, landscape companies, and allied fields like landscape architecture and urban forestry.

Research funded through HRI has helped advance pest and disease management, production automation and efficiency, and a deeper understanding of how plants deliver economic, environmental, and human health benefits, work made possible entirely through donor support.

Mission: To direct, fund, promote, and communicate horticultural research that increases the quality and value of plants, improves the productivity and profitability of the horticulture industry, and protects and enhances the environment.

Vision: To be the premier horticultural research and development institution for the Green Industry.

Visit the Horticulture Research Institute