Persistence and Replacement of Preplant Fertilizers from Highly Leached Peat-based Root Media

A series of experiments was conducted to quantify the rate of nutrient loss from a container medium in a 15-cm-wide (1.3-liter) pot with a container capacity (CC) of 0.7 liter/pot under mist propagation and to determine the effectiveness of reapplying fertilizer to medium at 90% of CC with either top watering or subirrigation. Reducing the volume of water applied per day decreased the rate of nutrient leaching. Based on CC leached (CCL), the rate of nutrient loss was similar for all treatments. Differences in the rate of macronutrient removal from the media were measured, but, by 2 CCL, the concentration of all nutrients tested was below acceptable levels for the saturated media extract. With top watering, reapplying water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) at volumes under 0.2 liter/pot did not affect the nutrient concentration in the lower half of the pot at WSF concentrations up to 86 mol N/m3. Applying up to 0.8 liter/pot did increase nutrient concentrations in the lower half of the pot, but the media nutrient concentrations were lower than that of the applied WSF concentration. Applying WSF with subirrigation was limited by the moisture content of the media prior to the irrigation.

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Root-medium Nutrient Levels and Irrigation Requirements of Poinsettias Grown in Five Root Media

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.3.535 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 535-538

Author(s):

William R. Argo ◽

John A. Biernbaum

Keyword(s):

Root Zone ◽

High Water ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Root Medium ◽

Root Media ◽

Entire Experiment ◽

Soluble Fertilizer ◽

Water Holding

`V-14 Glory' poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) were grown in five root media using top watering with 20% leaching for 112 days. Root media with a high water-holding capacity required fewer irrigations and fertilizer applications than those with a lower water-holding capacity. However, similar amounts of water were applied and leached with both types of root media over the entire experiment. The reduction in the number of fertilizations was compensated for by an increase in the amount (volume) of fertilizer applied at any one irrigation. The greatest differences in root-media nutrient concentrations were found between the top 2.5 cm (top layer) and the remaining root medium within the same pot (root zone). After 58 days, when fertilization with water-soluble fertilizer (28.6N–0P–8.5K mol·m–3) was stopped, nutrient concentrations in the top layer were 3 to 6 times greater than those in the root zone for all five root media tested. For the final 42 days of the experiment after fertilization was stopped, nutrient concentrations in the root zone remained at acceptable levels in all root media. The nutrients contained in the top layer may have provided a source of nutrients for the root zone once fertilization was stopped.

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Irrigation Requirements, Root-medium pH, and Nutrient Concentrations of Easter Lilies Grown in Five Peat-based Media with and without an Evaporation Barrier

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.119.6.1151 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 119 (6) ◽

pp. 1151-1156 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

William R. Argo ◽

John A. Biernbaum

Keyword(s):

Root Zone ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Average Amount ◽

Applied Water ◽

Medium Ph ◽

Root Medium ◽

Root Media ◽

Soluble Fertilizer ◽

Water Holding

Subirrigated Easter lilies were grown in five commercially formulated root media using one water-soluble fertilizer applied independently to each medium based on water-holding capacity and water loss. The number of irrigations ranged from 12 to 20 and the amount of applied water ranged from 5.3 to 6.8 liters for the uncovered media treatments. When the root-medium surface was covered with an evaporation barrier, the average amount of applied water was reduced by 35% compared to the uncovered media. The largest effect on root media pH was between uncovered and covered media due to the reduced amount of water applied. Similar macronutrient concentrations were measured in the five media during the experiment with few exceptions. The greatest differences in nutrient concentrations were found within the pots. The top 2.5 cm (top layer) contained nutrient concentrations up to 10 times higher than those measured in the remaining root medium (root zone) of the same pot. Covering the root-medium surface with an evaporation barrier reduced the stratification of fertilizer salts. Root-zone soluble salt concentrations of plants in the covered pots were similar to those of uncovered plants even though 36% less fertilizer was applied to the covered plants.

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Assessment of errors in nutrient analyses of roots

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr9941275 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 1275 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

RK Misra

Keyword(s):

Soil Contamination ◽

Nutrient Concentration ◽

Clay Soil ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Nutrient Loss ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Root Sample ◽

Nutrient Analyses ◽

And Storage

Errors in nutrient analyses of roots may arise from soil adhering to roots, the method of root separation from soil and storage of root samples. Experiments were conducted on fine roots of Eucalyptus nitens from a clay soil to establish a method for estimating true concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in root samples (i.e. unbiased by the soil adhering to roots), and to test the adequacy of measurements of ash residues of root samples for estimating the quantity of soil adhering to roots. Results indicated that nutrient concentrations on the basis of ash-free weight of root samples approached true nutrient concentrations of roots when the quality of soil adhering to roots was small, and the nutrient concentration of soil was much lower than the roots. Estimates of true nutrient concentrations of roots calculated from the information on the weight of soil adhering to roots and the nutrient concentration of the soil were satisfactory in the prediction of nutrient content of roots for a range of soil-contamination. The factor which accounted for contamination, and helped estimation of true concentrations from measured concentrations, depended on the magnitude of soil contamination and the relative concentrations of nutrients in roots and soil. Wet separation (washing) of roots from soil compared with dry separation resulted in 24% loss of K. With various methods of storage of washed root samples, the level of soil contamination was 5-20% of the root sample. Submergence of roots in water for 15 days after washing reduced the concentration of N, P and K in roots to 84, 50 and 54% of those roots which were dried immediately following washing. The rate of nutrient loss from roots was greater for K than for N and P when washed samples were stored submerged. On the basis of this study, it is recommended that roots, after separation from soil, should be dried as soon as possible with a minimum exposure of roots to wet conditions. Estimates of soil adhering to roots, and nutrient concentration of the adhering soil, are required to infer correct concentrations of nutrients in root samples.

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Erosion and nutrient loss reduction with an alternative planting method for coffee (Coffea arabica).

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v92i3-4.2633 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 92 (3-4) ◽

pp. 153-169

Author(s):

David Sotomayor-Ramírez ◽

John Ramírez-Ávila ◽

Edwin Más ◽

Gustavo A. Martínez

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Coffea Arabica ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Nutrient Loss ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Nutrient Losses ◽

Nutrient Runoff ◽

The Media ◽

Planting Method

Coffee (Coffea arabica) planting in the interior mountainous region of Puerto Rico is usually performed on steep slopes after vegetation removal. The construction of individual terraces around the tree, such as the "Media Luna" planting method, prior to planting could reduce sediment and nutrient losses and could increase yields by improved on-site water and nutrient retention. Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the "Media Luna" planting technique could reduce sediment, total phosphorus (TP), and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) in runoff during and after the establishment of a coffee plantation in Puerto Rico. The experiments were conducted on a commercial farm where the predominating soils were Mucara (Dystric Eutrudepts) in Phase 1, and Humatas (Typic Haplohumults) in Phase 2. In Phase 1 (recent plantings), sediment and nutrient runoff losses were similar in the conventional countour planting method and in the "Media Luna" treatments. Nutrient concentrations in runoff increased in events following fertilization. Recently loosened unconsolidated sediment material in the "Media Luna" treatment may be more susceptible to losses during the initial establishment phase. In phase 2 (mature plantings), sediment and nutrient losses were greater from soils planted with the conventional contour planting method than from those with the "Media Luna" treatment. The lower TP concentrations measured during Phase 2 suggests that the "Media Luna" technique could be a beneficial practice for coffee production in some areas of Puerto Rico.

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Modifying a Soilless Root Medium with Aluminum Influences Phosphorus Retention and Chrysanthemum Growth

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.3.381 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 381-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kimberly A. Williams ◽

Paul V. Nelson

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Triple Superphosphate ◽

Root Medium ◽

Greenhouse Study ◽

Sulfate Solutions ◽

Root Media ◽

Soluble Fertilizer ◽

P Leaching ◽

Modified Media

Soilless container root media have little capacity to retain P, and preplant amendments of triple superphosphate (TSP) and water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) P applications are readily leached from them. A soilless medium modified with Al2(SO4)3 was tested to reduce such P losses. Aluminum sulfate solutions were applied to a 70 sphagnum peat: 30 perlite (v/v) medium to result in 0.32, 0.96, and 1.92 kg Al/m3 and dried at 70C. Adsorption isotherms (25C, 0 to 500 mg P/liter) showed that P retention increased as the rate of Al addition increased. In a greenhouse study, plants of Dendranthema ×grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura `Sunny Mandalay' were grown in Al-modified media and an unmodified medium in factorial combination with P from preplant amendment of 0.1 kg TSP-P/m3, or P applied at each watering as WSF at rates of 5.5 or 21.8 mg P/liter. The two highest rates of Al were excessive and resulted in low pH and excessive soluble Al levels in the root medium solution early in the cropping cycle, which were detrimental to plant growth. When the root medium was modified with 0.32 kg Al/m3, soluble Al levels in medium solution were not significantly different than in the unmodified control. TSP-P that leached was substantially reduced by the addition of Al, yet sufficient P was released throughout the cropping cycle for adequate plant growth. Plants grown in Al-modified medium with 0.1 kg TSP-P/m3 did not differ from control plants in unmodified medium + 0.27 kg TSP-P/m3 and were larger than plants grown in unmodified medium + 0.1 kg TSP-P/m3. Aluminum modification of the root medium substantially reduced P leaching when used with WSF containing P. In addition, growth of plants in unmodified medium fertilized with 5.5 vs. 21.8 mg P/liter was similar.

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Growth of Poinsettias, Nutrient Leaching, and Water-use Efficiency Respond to Irrigation Methods

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.29.8.858 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 858-864 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

John M. Dole ◽

Janet C. Cole ◽

Sharon L. von Broembsen

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Concentration ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Euphorbia Pulcherrima ◽

The Media ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Total Dry Weight ◽

Soluble Fertilizer ◽

Mn Concentration ◽

Ebb And Flow

`Gutbier V-14 Glory' poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Ex. Klotzsch) grown with ebb-and-flow irrigation used the least amount of water and produced the least runoff, and plants grown with capillary mats used the greatest amount of water and produced the most runoff, compared to microtube and hand-watering systems. The maximum amount of water retained by the pots and media was greatest for the microtube and ebb-and-flow systems and became progressively lower for the hand-watering and capillary mat systems. The media and leachate electrical conductivity from plants grown with subirrigation systems was higher than those grown with top irrigation. For the two top-irrigation systems (microtube and hand-watering), plants grown with 250 mg N/liter from a 20N-4.4P-16.6K water-soluble fertilizer had greater leaf, stem, and total dry weights than those grown with 175 mg N/liter. The two subirrigation systems (ebb-and-flow and capillary mat) produced plants that were taller and had greater leaf, stem, and total dry weights when grown with 175 than with 250 mg N/liter. The higher fertilizer concentration led to increased N, P, Fe, and Mn concentration in the foliage. Nitrogen concentration was higher in top-irrigated plants than in subirrigated plants. The ebb-and-flow system produced the greatest total dry weight per liter of water applied and per liter of runoff; capillary mat watering was the least efficient in regard to water applied and runoff.

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The Pour-Through Procedure for Monitoring Container Substrate Chemical Properties: A Review

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae7120536 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 536

Author(s):

James E. Altland

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Concentration ◽

Extraction Procedure ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Nondestructive Method ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Horticultural Crop ◽

Substrate Solution ◽

The Past ◽

Saturated Media ◽

Substrate Ph

The pour-through procedure is a nondestructive method commonly used by horticultural crop producers and research scientists to measure chemical properties and nutrient availability in container substrates. It is a method that uses water as a displacement solution to push the substrate solution out of the bottom of the container so it can be analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, and nutrient concentrations. The method was first introduced in the early 1980s. Since then, research has been conducted to determine factors that affect the results of the pour-through including volume, nature and timing of application of the displacement solution, container size, and substrate stratification. It has also been validated against other common methods for determining container substrate pH, EC, and nutrient concentration, most notably the saturated media extraction procedure. Over the past 40 years, the method has been proven to be simple, robust, and consistent in providing crop producers and researchers valuable information on substrate chemical properties from which management decisions and experimental inferences can be made.

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Controlled-release Fertilizer during Cutting Propagation Affects Growth and Tissue Nutrient Concentrations of Rooted Cuttings of Annual Bedding Plants

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.49.2.152 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 152-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christopher J. Currey ◽

Roberto G. Lopez

Keyword(s):

Controlled Release ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽

Bedding Plants ◽

Tissue Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Soluble Fertilizer ◽

Soilless Substrate ◽

The Impact

Our objectives were to quantify the effects of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) on the growth, morphology, and tissue nutrient concentration of annual bedding plants during propagation. Unrooted cuttings of Angelonia angustifolia ‘AngelFace White’ and ‘Sundancer Pink’, Impatiens hawkeri ‘Celebrette Apricot’ and ‘Celebrette Rose Hot’, Nemesia fruticans ‘Bluebird’ and ‘Raspberry Sachet’, Pelargonium ×hortorum ‘Savannah Red’, and Petunia ×hybrida ‘Cascadia Marshmallow Pink’ and ‘Suncatcher Yellow’ were received from a commercial propagator. Cuttings were immediately stuck individually in cells containing soilless substrate supplemented with 0, 3, 6, 12, or 24 g·L−1 CRF (Osmocote Plus 15–3.9–10 3–4 month) and placed under clear mist water or cuttings were stuck in substrate containing no CRF and fertilized with water-soluble fertilizer beginning immediately after placing cuttings into propagation. Shoot dry mass of cuttings grown in substrates containing up to 12 or 24 g·L−1 CRF increased by up to 150% for some taxa compared with unfertilized cuttings. Incorporating CRFs into propagation substrates increased the concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in tissues by up to 103%, 42%, and 137%, respectively, compared with unfertilized cuttings. Additionally, tissue nutrient concentrations for cuttings fertilized with 6 g·L−1 CRF or greater were similar to cuttings receiving water-soluble fertilizer (WSF). When the impact of CRF on growth and nutrient concentrations are taken together, our results indicate that CRF is a fertilization application technology that holds promise for use during propagation of herbaceous stem-tip cuttings.

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Effect of Lime, Irrigation Water Quality, and Water-soluble Fertilizer on pH and Macronutrient Management of Peat-based Root Media

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.763f ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 763F-764

Author(s):

William R. Argo ◽

John A. Biernbaum

Keyword(s):

Irrigation Water ◽

Hydrated Lime ◽

Linear Increase ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Irrigation Water Quality ◽

Medium Ph ◽

Root Media ◽

Soluble Fertilizer ◽

The Relationship

Impatiens were planted into peat-based media containing two dolomitic liming materials [Ca(OH)2·Mg(OH)2 at 1.8 kg·m–3 or CaCO3·MgCO3 at 8.4 kg·m–3] and subirrigated for 17 weeks using four irrigation water qualities (IWQ) with varied alkalinity, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO4-S content and three water-soluble fertilizers (WSF) with varied NH4:NO3 ratio, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO4-S content. After 8 weeks, medium pH ranged from 4.5 to 8.5. Lime type did not affect the long-term increase in medium pH, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations with IWQ/WSF solutions containing low NH4-N and high Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations. The carbonate lime did buffer the medium pH, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations with IWQ/WSF solutions containing high NH4-N and low Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations. With both lime types, there was a linear increase in tissue Ca and Mg as the applied concentrations increased from 0.5 to 4.0 mol·m–3 Ca2+ and 0.3 to 3.0 mol·m–3 Mg2+ with the various IWQ/WSF. The relationship was similar for both lime types up to week 8, after which tissue Ca and Mg decreased with the hydrated lime and low solution Ca2+ and Mg2+. Relationships were also developed between the applied SO4-S concentration and tissue S and medium pH and tissue P.

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Controlled Release Fertilizer Effects on Growth and Foliar Nutrient Concentration of Container Grown Jeffrey Pine and Singleleaf Pinyon

Western Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/wjaf/7.4.113 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 113-117 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. F. Walker ◽

C. D. Huntt

Keyword(s):

Controlled Release ◽

Nutrient Concentration ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Pinus Monophylla ◽

Jeffrey Pine ◽

Pine Seedlings ◽

Foliar Nutrient ◽

Soluble Fertilizer ◽

Controlled Release Fertilizers

Abstract Two controlled release fertilizers, Sierra 17-6-12 Plus Minors controlled release nutrients and Agriform 14-4-6 container tablets, were evaluated for their effects on containerized Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) and singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) planting stock. Seedlings produced with a conventional water soluble fertilizer, Peters 20-10-20, and unfertilized seedlings provided bases for comparison of fertilizer effects on growth and mineral nutrition. After 12 mo, mean volume of Jeffrey pine seedlings fertilized with Sierra prills exceeded that of Agriform and Peters treatments by >40% and unfertilized seedlings by 215%. Volume of singleleaf pinyon in the Sierra and Peters treatments exceeded those of the Agriform and unfertilized treatments by ≥100%. Shoot/root ratios of seedlings fertilized with Agriform tablets were significantly higher than those of the other treatments in both species. Foliar analyses for 11 plant-essential elements revealed that concentrations of most elements in fertilized seedlings were sufficient for adequate seedling nutrition. Apparent luxury consumption of one or more nutrients, particularly N, was detected in Jeffrey pine fertilized with Sierra prills and Agriform tablets. Overall, Sierra 17-6-12 proved effective for growth of Jeffrey pine and singleleaf pinyon container seedlings, while Agriform 14-4-6 was marginal for growing Jeffrey pine and unsuitable for singleleaf pinyon. West. J. Appl. For. 7(4):113-117.

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