Improved Fiber Pots for Container Nursery Production

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 451a-451
Author(s):  
Eric J. Biddinger ◽  
Robert D. Berghage ◽  
David J. Beattie
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Root Distribution ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Fiber Structure ◽  
Microbial Decomposition ◽  
Central Pennsylvania ◽  
Nursery Production ◽  
Strength Medium

There is an increasing interest in the use of fiber pots to grow containerized nursery plants. Of particular interest is the ability to incorporate chemicals to modify plant growth, reduce microbial decomposition, and alter fiber structure. Four perennial plants Forsythia `Spring Glory', Baptisia australis, Ilex × meserveae `Blue Girl', and Coreopsis rosea were grown in 2.3-L fiber containers. Containers were treated with Cu(OH)2 (Spin Out®, Griffin Corp.) at 1500 or 3000 ppm, TCMBT (Busan® 30WB fungicide, Buckman Lab.) at 1700 or 3400 ppm, and combinations of Cu(OH)2 and TCMBT. Untreated plastic and untreated fiber pots were used as controls. Plants were grown in a commercial nursery in central Pennsylvania for 5 months during the 1997 growing season. Plants were harvested in the fall. Data included: root penetration of pot walls, plant growth, pot strength, medium root distribution, and root zone temperatures. Results with TCMBT were inconclusive. However, Cu(OH)2-treated pots had fewer penetrating roots and were stronger. Root zone temperatures in fiber pots were lower.

scholarly journals Does Earlier and Increased Spring Plant Growth Lead to Reduced Summer Soil Moisture and Plant Growth on Landscapes Typical of Tundra-Taiga Interface?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alemu Gonsamo ◽  
Michael T. Ter-Mikaelian ◽  
Jing M. Chen ◽  
Jiaxin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Northern High Latitude

Over the past four decades, satellite observations have shown intensified global greening. At the same time, widespread browning and reversal of or stalled greening have been reported at high latitudes. One of the main reasons for this browning/lack of greening is thought to be warming-induced water stress, i.e., soil moisture depletion caused by earlier spring growth and increased summer evapotranspiration. To investigate these phenomena, we use MODIS collection 6, Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies third-generation (GIMMS) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI3g), and Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM) satellite-based root-zone soil moisture data. The study area was the Far North of Ontario (FNO), 453,788 km2 of heterogeneous landscape typical of the tundra-taiga interface, consisting of unmanaged boreal forests growing on mineral and peat soils, wetlands, and the most southerly area of tundra. The results indicate that the increased plant growth in spring leads to decreased summer growth. Lower summer soil moisture is related to increased spring plant growth in areas with lower soil moisture content. We also found that earlier start of growing season leads to decreased summer and peak season maximum plant growth. In conclusion, increased spring plant growth and earlier start of growing season deplete summer soil moisture and decrease the overall summer plant growth even in temperature-limited high latitude ecosystems. Our findings contribute to evolving understanding of changes in vegetation dynamics in relation to climate in northern high latitude terrestrial ecosystems.

DEVELOPMENT OF WHITE SPRUCE AND ALPINE FIR SEEDLINGS ON CUT-OVER AREAS IN THE CENTRAL INTERIOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

1965 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slavoj Eis
Keyword(s):  
Root Zone ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Living Tissue ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Wilting Point

Germination of white spruce and alpine fir was similar on mineral soil at all forest sites studied and averaged 33 per cent for spruce and 6 per cent for alpine fir.Mortality of seedlings in mineral soil was confined to the period of summer droughts. During this period maximum air temperatures approached 100° F., mineral soil exceeded 120° F. and humus 135° F. Water content of the upper 20 to 40 mm. of mineral soil was reduced below the wilting point and approximately 45 per cent of the seedlings died. The average root length of seedlings which died was 18 mm.; of those which survived, 37 mm. Greatest mortality occurred on fully exposed plots of dry habitats.On undisturbed seedbeds, germination of both species was very low. Seeds remained suspended and had insufficient contact with humic particles. Radicles of seeds which did germinate failed to reach compacted moist horizons. At the depth of root penetration, raw humus was at wilting point a few days after rain. A negligible number of seedlings of either species survived on raw humus to the end of the growing season.Shoot growth of both species ended at the beginning of August, while roots kept increasing in length until late in fall. The depth of root penetration on mineral seedbeds was greatest on sandy soils. At the end of the growing season alpine fir seedlings were larger than spruce seedlings.The main cause of seedling mortality on both types of seedbed appears to be the water deficit in the root zone. Increased mortality on fully exposed plots can be attributed to the direct heating of the living tissue under water stress.

scholarly journals Effects of Cyclanilide and Benzyladenine Tank Mixes on Shoot Production and Growth of Three Woody Landscape Species during Production

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-95
Author(s):  
M.E. Farris ◽  
G.J. Keever ◽  
J.R. Kessler ◽  
J.W. Olive
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Plant Growth Regulators ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Shoot Development ◽  
Shoot Production ◽  
Nursery Production ◽  
North Lake

Abstract A study was conducted to determine if there were synergistic effects from applying two plant growth regulators (PGRs), cyclanilide (CYC) and benzyladenine (BA), with cytokinin properties on Rhaphiolepis sp. (L.) Lindl. ‘Conor’ and ‘Snow White’ (Indian hawthorn), Rhododendron L. ‘North Lake Beauty’ (azalea), and Ilex crenata Thunb. ‘Sky Pencil’ (Japanese holly) during nursery production. Foliar applications of 100 or 200 ppm CYC promoted new shoot development in all species, whereas 2500 ppm BA either had no effect or suppressed shoot development, except in one of two experiments when shoot development was promoted in holly. With no species was there a synergistic effect on shoot development from combining the two PGRs, even when both PGRs individually promoted new shoot development in holly. Indian hawthorn and holly developed transient symptoms of toxicity in response to CYC, BA, and CYC + BA combinations that had dissipated by the end of the growing season and had no lasting effects on plant quality.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Using Biocontainers in a Pot-in-pot System for Nursery Production of River Birch

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongyin Li ◽  
Guihong Bi ◽  
Genhua Niu ◽  
Susmitha S. Nambuthiri ◽  
Robert L. Geneve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Plastic Container ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Nursery Production ◽  
Plastic Containers

The performance of biocontainers as sustainable alternatives to the traditional petroleum-based plastic containers has been researched in recent years due to increasing environmental concern generated by widespread plastic disposal from green industry. However, research has been mainly focused on using biocontainers in short-term greenhouse production of bedding plants, with limited research investigating the use of biocontainers in long-term nursery production of woody crops. This project investigated the feasibility of using biocontainers in a pot-in-pot (PIP) nursery production system. Two paper (also referred as wood pulp) biocontainers were evaluated in comparison with a plastic container in a PIP system for 2 years at four locations (Holt, MI; Lexington, KY; Crystal Springs, MS; El Paso, TX). One-year-old river birch (Betula nigra) liners were used in this study. Results showed that biocontainers stayed intact at the end of the first growing season, but were penetrated to different degrees after the second growing season depending on the vigor of root growth at a given location and pot type. Plants showed different growth rates at different locations. However, at a given location, there were no differences in plant growth index (PGI) or plant biomass among plants grown in different container types. Daily water use (DWU) was not influenced by container type. Results suggest that both biocontainers tested have the potential to be alternatives to plastic containers for short-term (1 year) birch production in the PIP system. However, they may not be suitable for long-term (more than 1 year) PIP production due to root penetration at the end of the second growing season.

Plastic Mulch Color Effects on Light Micro-environment and Watermelon Plant Growth

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 474d-474
Author(s):  
N.K. Damayanthi Ranwala ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteau
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Reflected Light ◽  
Total Light ◽  
Dry Mass Partitioning

This study was conducted to evaluate the spectral properties of various colored plastic color mulches and to determine the effects of upwardly reflected light from the mulch surfaces on watermelon plant growth when differences in root zone temperatures are minimized. Two-week-old watermelon plants were grown with black mulch, red-painted mulch, SRM-Red mulch (Sonoco, Inc., Harstville, S.C.), and white mulch. Total light reflection (58 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) and red: far-red (R:FR = 0.44) of reflected light were lower in black mulch and highest in white mulch (634 and 0.92, respectively). Both black mulch and white mulch had same blue:red (B:R = 0.6) while white mulch had higher B:FR (0.58) in reflected light compared to black mulch (0.26). Reflective properties of red mulches were somewhat similar, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.8, 0.2, and 0.18, respectively. However, SRM-Red mulch had highest total light (355 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) transmission through the mulch, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.84, 0.28, and 0.23, respectively. Light transmission through the other mulches was nonsignificant. Watermelon plants grown with black mulch and red mulches had higher internode lengths compared to white mulch after 20 days. Further, plants grown under black had significant higher petiole elongation accompanied with higher dry mass partitioning to petioles, and lower partitioning to roots, stems, and leaves. There was no effects of surface mulch color on total plant dry mass or photosynthesis although plants with black had higher transpiration rate. This suggests the differential regulation of dry mass partitioning among plant parts due to mulch color. The similar plant responses with black mulch and white mulch to plants treated with FR or R light at the end of photoperiod implies the involvement of phytochrome regulation of growth due to mulch surface color.

scholarly journals Combined simulation and optimization framework for irrigation scheduling in agriculture fields

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireia Fontanet ◽  
Daniel Fernàndez-Garcia ◽  
Gema Rodrigo ◽  
Francesc Ferrer ◽  
Josep Maria Villar
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Simulation And Optimization ◽  
Optimization Framework ◽  
Net Margin ◽  
Combined Simulation

AbstractIn the context of growing evidence of climate change and the fact that agriculture uses about 70% of all the water available for irrigation in semi-arid areas, there is an increasing probability of water scarcity scenarios. Water irrigation optimization is, therefore, one of the main goals of researchers and stakeholders involved in irrigated agriculture. Irrigation scheduling is often conducted based on simple water requirement calculations without accounting for the strong link between water movement in the root zone, soil–water–crop productivity and irrigation expenses. In this work, we present a combined simulation and optimization framework aimed at estimating irrigation parameters that maximize the crop net margin. The simulation component couples the movement of water in a variably saturated porous media driven by irrigation with crop water uptake and crop yields. The optimization component assures maximum gain with minimum cost of crop production during a growing season. An application of the method demonstrates that an optimal solution exists and substantially differs from traditional methods. In contrast to traditional methods, results show that the optimal irrigation scheduling solution prevents water logging and provides a more constant value of water content during the entire growing season within the root zone. As a result, in this case, the crop net margin cost exhibits a substantial increase with respect to the traditional method. The optimal irrigation scheduling solution is also shown to strongly depend on the particular soil hydraulic properties of the given field site.

scholarly journals The effect of seaweed extract on tomato plant growth, productivity and soil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hashmath Inayath Hussain ◽  
Naga Kasinadhuni ◽  
Tony Arioli
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Tomato Plant ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Seaweed Extract ◽  
Total Bacterial Count ◽  
Soil Biology

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of seaweed extract (SWE) made from the brown algae Durvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodosum on plants and soil. The application of SWE to soil growing tomato plants showed dual effects. SWE comprehensively improved tomato plant growth (flower clusters, flower number, fruit number, root length, root and shoot dry weight, SPAD) and increased plant productivity (yield and quality). Similarly, SWE application effected soil biology at the soil root zone by increasing total bacterial count and available soil nitrogen and impacting bacterial community diversity with an increase in certain bacterial families linked to soil health. A broader understanding of the effects of SWE on the plant-soil ecosystem may offer breakthrough approaches for sustainable food production.

Culture of Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in Sand Root Media Amended with Three Fertilizers

Weed Science ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Sutton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Tissue ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Hydrilla Verticillata ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Pond Water ◽  
Sand Soil ◽  
Plant Weight ◽  
Root Media ◽  
Tuber Production

Hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata(L.f.) Royle # HYLLI] was grown for 4 to 16 weeks in pans filled with either an organic muck-sand soil, sand, or sand mixed with Osmocote, Esmigran, and dolomite under outdoor conditions in plastic-lined pools with flowing pond water. Dry weight for plants cultured in sand plus the fertilizers was dependent on the concentration of fertilizer and was from 6 to 14 times that of plants cultured in sand alone. Dry weight was also higher for three treatments of sand amended with fertilizer than for plants cultured in the organic muck-sand soil. Water temperature for different growth periods influenced dry weight of hydrilla cultured with all three root media. Tuber production was independent of three levels of fertilizer for 16 weeks of plant growth, but plant weight was dependent on the concentration of nutrients in the root zone. Of nine plant tissue nutrients measured, only phosphorus in both the shoots and roots was dependent on the level of fertilizer in the root zone. This suggests that growth of hydrilla is controlled by nutrients in the root zone. The use of sand amended with various levels of fertilizers may be a way to simulate fertility levels of sediments as a method to study aquatic sites for their potential to support growth of hydrilla.

scholarly journals Modeling the irrigation requirements for an experimental site in Northern Alberta, Canada

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Rahbeh ◽  
David Chanasyk ◽  
Shane Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Experimental Site ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation ◽  
Northern Alberta ◽  
Irrigation Requirements

A combined methodology of the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM), the generation of stochastic rainfall realizations, and an historical meteorological record were used to determine the supplementary irrigation requirement for an experimental site located in northern Alberta. The site receives an annual rainfall of approximately 500 mm yr -1, and contains a fluctuating water table. The simulated results showed maximum irrigation requirements of 270 mm, however, half that amount can be required during an average or wet growing season of mean rainfall of 350 and 500 mm, respectively. The irrigation requirements were influenced by rainfall amount and distribution, downward flux and the subsequent fluctuation of the water table and the depth of water table at the beginning of the growing season, which was influenced by the winter season precipitation. The simulated results suggested that a water table less than 2 m deep from the ground surface can significantly reduce the irrigation requirements. Therefore, the winter precipitation and initial depth of the water table are suitable indicators of the likely requirement of irrigation during the growing season.

Changing sensitivity of global vegetation productivity to hydro-climate drivers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wantong Li ◽  
Matthias Forkel ◽  
Mirco Migliavacca ◽  
Markus Reichstein ◽  
Sophia Walther ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Terrestrial Vegetation ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Vegetation Productivity ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Global Vegetation

<p>Terrestrial vegetation couples the global water, energy and carbon exchange between the atmosphere and the land surface. Thereby, vegetation productivity is determined by a multitude of energy- and water-related variables. While the emergent sensitivity of productivity to these variables has been inferred from Earth observations, its temporal evolution during the last decades is unclear, as well as potential changes in response to trends in hydro-climatic conditions. In this study, we analyze the changing sensitivity of global vegetation productivity to hydro-climate conditions by using satellite-observed vegetation indices (i.e. NDVI) at the monthly timescale from 1982–2015. Further, we repeat the analysis with simulated leaf area index and gross primary productivity from the TRENDY vegetation models, and contrast the findings with the observation-based results. We train a random forest model to predict anomalies of productivity from a comprehensive set of hydro-meteorological variables (temperature, solar radiation, vapor pressure deficit, surface and root-zone soil moisture and precipitation), and to infer the sensitivity to each of these variables. By training models from temporal independent subsets of the data we detect the evolution of sensitivity across time. Results based on observations show that vegetation sensitivity to energy- and water-related variables has significantly changed in many regions across the globe. In particular we find decreased (increased) sensitivity to temperature in very warm (cold) regions. Thereby, the magnitude of the sensitivity tends to differ between the early and late growing seasons. Likewise, we find changing sensitivity to root-zone soil moisture with increases predominantly in the early growing season and decreases in the late growing season. For better understanding the mechanisms behind the sensitivity changes, we analyse land-cover changes, hydro-climatic trends, and abrupt disturbances (e.g. drought, heatwave events or fires could result in breaking points of sensitivity evolution in the local interpretation). In summary, this study sheds light on how and where vegetation productivity changes its response to the drivers under climate change, which can help to understand possibly resulting changes in spatial and temporal patterns of land carbon uptake.</p>

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