DESIGN AND TESTING OF A NURSERY BLOCK FOR WATER RUNOFF RESEARCH

Water quality has become a significant issue in the nursery industry. Local testing of runoff contamination from nursery production is, however, of little value to other growers because of the variation in management practices and nursery layouts. Two nursery blocks have been designed and constructed to test runoff from production with sprinkler and drip irrigation systems in combination with constant liquid fertilization and controlled release fertilizers. Management practices using various combinations of irrigation systems with fertilizer application rates are being tested in a small area with reasonable control of inputs. Preliminary data has shown no difference in plant response to irrigation method, but runoff was significantly reduced with drip irrigation. Plant quality was better with controlled release fertilizer, which generally yielded less N and P contamination in runoff, than constant liquid fertilization except during extremely hot weather.

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INNOVATIVE IRRIGATION TECHNIQUES IN NURSERY PRODUCTION TO REDUCE WATER USAGE

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.25.9.1183d ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 1183d-1183

Author(s):

John Kabashima

Keyword(s):

Water Availability ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Management Practices ◽

Regulatory Agencies ◽

Water Usage ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Nursery Production ◽

Controlled Irrigation ◽

Large Production ◽

Computer Controlled

Several production nurseries were surveyed about techniques used to reduce water usage and runoff. The nurseries surveyed used from 400,000 gallons of water per day to 5,000,000 gallons of water per day during peak usage. Water availability and the potential for nitrate runoff from large production nurseries to contaminate the environment have resulted in requirements by regulatory agencies to decrease water usage and runoff. Nurseries have complied by using techniques such as drip irrigation, subirrigation, pulsing, recycling, and computer controlled irrigation systems. The use of techniques such as recycling and “better management practices” have resulted in significant decreases (approximately 30%) in water usage.

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Hydrological processes and water flux quantification in agricultural fields under different tillage and irrigation systems using water stable isotopes

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-11039 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alba Canet-Marti ◽

Angela Morales-Santos ◽

Reinhard Nolz ◽

Günter Langergraber ◽

Christine Stumpp

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotopes ◽

Water Content ◽

Water Flow ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Management Practices ◽

Hydrological Processes ◽

Agricultural Fields ◽

Soil Profiles ◽

Water Fluxes ◽

Irrigation Systems

Sustainable agriculture should be based on management practices that improve resource usage efficiency and minimize harmful impacts on the environment while maintaining and stabilizing crop production. Both tillage and irrigation can have a great influence on hydrological processes within agroecosystems. However, it remains difficult to directly assess the effect of practices on water fluxes which has been mainly indirectly quantified by complex numerical modelling methods in the past. Therefore, the objective of the study was to use a space for time concept and measure oxygen and hydrogen isotopes (&#948;18O, &#948;2H) in the pore water of soil profiles as well as moisture contents for quantifying the soil water balance and fluxes. Covering all combinations, soil profiles and isotope analysis was performed for 16 sites planted with winter wheat and managed with different tillage (conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), minimal tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT)) and irrigation systems (hose reel boom irrigation with nozzles (BI), sprinkler irrigation (SI), drip irrigation (DI) and no irrigation (NI)). The results indicated that the more intense the tillage, the lower the water content. Among the irrigation systems, DI had the highest average water content. Tracing the minimum in the isotopic composition of the pores water within the depth profiles showed a deeper percolation of water in the CT fields, which indicates higher water flow velocity. Considering both water content and differences in water flow velocities resulted in water fluxes ranging from 90 to 151 mm yr-1. The losses due to evapotranspiration varied between 57 and 80%. The resulting evapotranspiration within tillage and irrigation variants decreased in the order RT>CT&#8776;MT>NT, and SI>BI>DI>NI. Thus, the method revealed that the lower water content in CT fields is a consequence of deeper water infiltration. Moreover, irrigation water contributed mostly to evapotranspiration, and drip irrigation showed the lowest evapotranspiration losses among irrigation systems. This study demonstrated that water stable isotopes can be used as indicators and are a promising method to quantify water fluxes in agricultural fields with great potential for evaluating management practices.

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Carbon footprint of crop production in China: an analysis of National Statistics data

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859614000665 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 153 (3) ◽

pp. 422-431 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

K. CHENG ◽

M. YAN ◽

D. NAYAK ◽

G. X. PAN ◽

P. SMITH ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Footprint ◽

Crop Production ◽

Management Practices ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Paddy Rice ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Carbon Equivalent ◽

Ghg Mitigation ◽

Application Rates

SUMMARYAssessing carbon footprint (CF) of crop production in a whole crop life-cycle could provide insights into the contribution of crop production to climate change and help to identify possible greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation options. In the current study, data for the major crops of China were collected from the national statistical archive on cultivation area, yield, application rates of fertilizer, pesticide, diesel, plastic film, irrigated water, etc. The CF of direct and indirect carbon emissions associated with or caused by these agricultural inputs was quantified with published emission factors. In general, paddy rice, wheat, maize and soybean of China had mean CFs of 2472, 794, 781 and 222 kg carbon equivalent (CE)/ha, and 0·37, 0·14, 0·12 and 0·10 kg CE/kg product, respectively. For dry crops (i.e. those grown without flooding the fields: wheat, maize and soybean), 0·78 of the total CFs was contributed by nitrogen (N) fertilizer use, including both direct soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission and indirect emissions from N fertilizer manufacture. Meanwhile, direct methane (CH4) emissions contributed 0·69 on average to the total CFs of flooded paddy rice. Moreover, the difference in N fertilizer application rates explained 0·86–0·93 of the provincial variations of dry crop CFs while that in CH4 emissions could explain 0·85 of the provincial variation of paddy rice CFs. When a 30% reduction in N fertilization was considered, a potential reduction in GHGs of 60 megatonne (Mt) carbon dioxide equivalent from production of these crops was projected. The current work highlights opportunities to gain GHG emission reduction in production of crops associated with good management practices in China.

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EFFECTS OF CONTROLLED-RELEASE AND LIQUID FERTILIZATION ON LEATHERLEAF FERN AND NITROGEN LEACHING

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.27.6.582f ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 582f-583

Author(s):

Robert H. Stamps

Keyword(s):

Controlled Release ◽

Fine Sand ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Application Rate ◽

Vase Life ◽

N Leaching ◽

Application Rates ◽

One Year ◽

Liquid Fertilization ◽

Intact Soil

Established leatherleaf fern was grown for one year in a glasshouse in intact soil columns (Astatula fine sand, 21 × 61 cm) contained in drainage lysimeters. Columns were fertilized at rates of 224, 448, or 672 kg N ha-1 yr-1 using controlled-release (CR) fertilizer, either 360-day (360CR) or 180-day (180CR) term, or weekly applications of liquid (L) fertilizer. Water use, yield (number of harvestable fronds) and average frond weight increased linearly with increasing fertilization rate and more fronds were produced using L than CR fertilizers. Frond color measurements paralleled yield results. During cool weather when vase life is greatest, fronds from L fertilizer lysimeters lasted longer than fronds from CR treated plots. During warmer weather, treatments had no effect on vase life. Nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) leaching increased with fertilization rate and exceeded 10 ppm in leachate from the L and 180CR treatments at all application rates. NO3-N in leachate from 360CR lysimeters never exceeded 8 ppm at any application rate.

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Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) for Enhanced Water Distribution: SDI - Seepage Hybrid System

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-hs1217-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Lincoln Zotarelli ◽

Libby Rens ◽

Charles Barrett ◽

Daniel J. Cantliffe ◽

Michael D. Dukes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drip Irrigation ◽

Water Distribution ◽

Management Practices ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

Soil Surface ◽

High Water ◽

Subsurface Drip Irrigation ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Seepage Irrigation ◽

Subsurface Drip

In terms of water use efficiency, the traditional seepage irrigation systems commonly used in areas with high water tables are one of the most inefficient methods of irrigation, though some irrigation management practices can contribute to better soil moisture uniformity. Subsurface drip irrigation systems apply water below the soil surface by microirrigation, improving the water distribution and time required to raise the water table for seepage irrigation. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Libby Rens, Charles Barrett, Daniel J. Cantliffe, Michael D. Dukes, Mark Clark, and Steven Lands, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1217

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Design for a Simulated Nursery for Water Runoff Research

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.28.9.952 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 28 (9) ◽

pp. 952-953

Author(s):

Janet C. Cole ◽

Vicki L. Stamback ◽

Charlie Gray

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Model System ◽

Model Systems ◽

Water Runoff ◽

Chemical Concentration ◽

Runoff Water ◽

Nursery Production ◽

Few Data ◽

Potential Pollution

Few data are available to indicate the chemical concentration of runoff from nursery operations, and, to our knowledge, no model systems have been developed to gain such data. This paper describes such a model system, in which nursery production beds have been designed to collect and quantify runoff water and contaminant concentrations so that management practices may be identified to decrease potential pollution problems.

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Maintenance Considerations for Drip Irrigation Systems

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.2.1.38 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 38 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D.C. Sanders

Keyword(s):

Drip Irrigation ◽

System Efficiency ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Application Rates ◽

Lateral Lines ◽

Water Meter

Because drip irrigation systems are very susceptible to clogging, maintenance revolves around flushing the system. Both primary and secondary filters and main and lateral lines and drip tubes require flushing on a regular basis. Chlorination and use of acid often are necessary for keeping lines clear of contaminants. Rubber gaskets and diaphragms should be replaced every 2 years. A water meter will assist in assuring that desired application rates are being obtained. The use of air vents assures that air locks do not reduce system efficiency. The calibration of injector pumps should be verified at least two times per season.

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FATE AND MOVEMENT OF NO3– N AS A RESULT OF STAGED LEACHING IRRIGATION EVENTS AND FERTILIZER SOURCE DURING POTATO PRODUCTION IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.3.498b ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 498B-498

Author(s):

Christine M. Worthington ◽

Chad M. Hutchinson

Keyword(s):

Controlled Release ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Potato Crop ◽

Potato Production ◽

Water Runoff ◽

Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽

Run Off ◽

N Loading ◽

Surface Water Runoff

The St. Johns River has been identified by the state of Florida as a priority water body in need of restoration. Best Management Practices were evaluated for potato (Solanum tuberosum L. `Atlantic') production in the Tri-County Agricultural Area to reduce nitrate run-off from about 9,300 ha in production. Objectives of this study were 1) determine the influence of soluble and controlled release fertilizer (CRF) and timing of leaching irrigation on nitrate leaching and 2) compare yield and quality of the potato crop fertilized with either a soluble or controlled release nitrogen fertilizer in a seepage irrigated production system. The experiment was a split-split plot with four replications. Main plots were irrigation events (0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after planting, (WAP)), nitrogen source and rates included (ammonium nitrate (AN) 224 kg·ha–1 or controlled release fertilizer (CRF) 196 kg·ha–1). About 7.6 cm of water was applied at each irrigation event and surface water runoff collected. CRF decreased NO3-N loading by an average of 35%, 28%, and 32% compared to AN fertilizer during the 2, 8, and 12 WAP irrigation events, respectively, compared to AN. Plants in CRF treatments had significantly higher total and marketable tuber yields (30 and 25 t·ha–1) compared to plants in AN treatments (27 and 23 t·ha–1), respectively. Plants in the CRF treatments also had significantly higher total and marketable yields in 2005 (28 and 23 t·ha–1) compared to plants in AN treatments (25 and 21 t·ha–1), respectively. CRF was an effective alternative to conventional soluble forms of fertilizer maintaining yields and protecting natural resources from nonpoint source pollution.

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Changing Fertilizer Management Practices in Sugarcane Production: Cane Grower Survey Insights

10.20944/preprints202012.0198.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Syezlin Hasan ◽

James C. R. Smart ◽

Rachel Hay ◽

Sharyn Rundle-Thiele

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Application Rate ◽

Practice Change ◽

Farm Income ◽

Fertilizer Management ◽

Application Rates ◽

Fertilizer Application Rate ◽

The Impact

Research focused on understanding wider systemic factors driving behavioral change is limited with a dominant focus on the role of individual farmer and psychosocial factors for farming practice change, including reducing fertilizer application in agriculture. Adopting a wider systems perspective, the current study examines change and the role that supporting services have on fertilizer application rate change. A total of 238 sugarcane growers completed surveys reporting on changes in fertilizer application along with factors that may explain behavior change. Logistic regressions and negative binomial count-data regressions were used to examine whether farmers had changed fertilizer application rates and if they had, how long ago they made the change, and to explore the impact of individual and system factors in influencing change. Approximately one in three sugarcane growers surveyed (37%) had changed the method they used to calculate fertilizer application rates for the cane land they owned/managed at some point. Logistic regression results indicated growers were less likely to change the basis for their fertilizer calculation if they regarded maintaining good relationships with other local growers as being extremely important, they had another source of off-farm income, and if they had not attended a government-funded fertilizer management workshop in the five years preceding the survey. Similar drivers promoted early adoption of fertilizer practice change; namely, regarding family traditions and heritage as being unimportant, having sole decision-making authority on farming activities and having attended up to 5 workshops in the five years prior to completing the survey. Results demonstrated the influence of government-funded services to support practice change.

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Best Management Practices for Minimizing Nitrate Leaching from Container-Grown Nurseries

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2001.99 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 96-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jianjun Chen ◽

Yingfeng Huang ◽

Russell D. Caldwell

Keyword(s):

Surface Water ◽

Nitrate Leaching ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Ornamental Plants ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Plant Production ◽

Agricultural Practice ◽

Application Rates ◽

N Management

Containerized plant production represents an extremely intensive agricultural practice; 40,000 to 300,000 containers may occupy one acre of surface area to which a large amount of chemical fertilizer is applied. Currently, recommended fertilizer application rates for the production of containerized nursery ornamental plants are in excess of plant requirements, and up to 50% of the applied fertilizers may run off or be leached from containers. Among the nutrients leached or allowed to runoff, nitrogen (N) is the most abundant and is of major concern as the source of ground and surface water pollution. In this report, current N fertilizer application rates for different container-grown nursery ornamental plants, the amount of nitrate leaching or runoff from containers, and the potential for nitrate contamination of ground and surface water are discussed. In contrast, our best N management practices include: (1) applying fertilizers based on plant species need; (2) improving potting medium�s nutrient holding capacity using obscure mineral additives; (3) using controlled-release fertilizers; and (4) implementing zero runoff irrigation or fertigation delivery systems that significantly reduce nitrate leaching or runoff in containerized plant production and encourage dramatic changes in N management.

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