The HRI, the research affiliate of AmericanHort, has granted $527,000 in funds to various research projects.

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) has announced the portfolio of research projects receiving funding in 2015. The Horticultural Research Institute is investing $527,000 in the industry's future for 2015.

"Diverse, high quality research is imperative for the long-term advancement of the horticultural industry," said Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort's senior vice president, industry advocacy and research. "The projects that were selected for 2015 funding will produce innovation, guidance on best practices, and ultimately bring increased efficiencies, better stewardship, and new insights."

HRI encourages investigators to seek out matching funds as part of the proposal application process. As a result, an additional $8.5 million in funds from other granting agencies exponentially increases HRI's 2014 research investment.

The projects, which were classified by the primary investigators into varying categories of research, benefit numerous segments of the horticulture industry.

The recipients of the funding are:

Dr. John Adamczyk, Jr. of the USDA-ARS Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory in Poplarville, MS.

Dr. Carrie Reinhardt Adams at the University of Florida in Gainesville.