scholarly journals Fertilizer Concentration Affects Growth and Nutrient Composition of Subirrigated Pansies

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 660-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc van Iersel
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Tissue Levels ◽  
Shoot Tissue ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Fertilizer Solution ◽  
Over Time

Ebb- and-flow irrigation is an economically attractive subirrigation method that reduces labor costs and eliminates runoff from greenhouses. The effects of fertilizer concentration on growth of subirrigated pansy (Viola ×wittrockiana Gam.) and the leachate electrical conductivity (EC) and pH were quantified, using two growing media. Leachate EC increased as the EC of the fertilizer solution increased from 0.6 to 3.6 dS·m–1 (70 to 530 mg·L–1 N). The leachate EC was fairly constant over time when the EC of the fertilizer solution was 0.6 dS·m–1, while it increased throughout the experiment at higher fertilizer concentrations. MetroMix 300 leachate consistently had a higher EC than did MetroMix 500. Leachate pH of both growing media was similar throughout the growing season. The pH decreased over time and was lower with higher fertilizer concentrations. Optimal plant growth occurred with a fertilizer EC of 1.2 or 1.8 dS·m–1, and a leachate EC between 1.5 and 4 dS·m–1. Increasing the concentration of the fertilizer solution resulted in increased shoot tissue levels of P and Mn and decreased tissue levels of K, Mg, and Na. The results of this study indicate that pansy is not very sensitive to the EC of the growing medium and can be grown successfully in a closed subirrigation system.

scholarly journals Nitrogen supply affects root:shoot ratio in corn and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Weed Science ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 670-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly D. Bonifas ◽  
Daniel T. Walters ◽  
Kenneth G. Cassman ◽  
John L. Lindquist
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Nitrogen Supply ◽  
Abutilon Theophrasti ◽  
Normal Plant ◽  
Root:Shoot Ratio ◽  
N Supply ◽  
Over Time

Competitive outcome between crops and weeds is affected by partitioning of new biomass to above- and belowground plant organs in response to nutrient supply. This study determined the fraction of biomass partitioned to roots vs. shoots in corn and velvetleaf in response to nitrogen (N) supply. Pots measuring 28 cm in diam and 60 cm deep were embedded in the ground and each contained one plant of either corn or velvetleaf. Each plant received one of three N treatments: 0, 1, or 3 g N applied as ammonium nitrate in 2001, and 0, 2, or 6 g N in 2002. Measurements of total above- and belowground biomass were made at 10 sampling dates during each growing season. The root:shoot ratio decreased over time for both corn and velvetleaf as a result of normal plant growth and as N supply increased. Root:shoot ratio was greater for corn than for velvetleaf at comparable stages of development and at all levels of N supply. Both corn and velvetleaf display true plasticity in biomass partitioning patterns in response to N supply. Velvetleaf root:shoot ratio increased by 46 to 82% when N was limiting in 2001 and 2002, respectively, whereas corn root:shoot ratio increased by only 29 to 45%. The greater increase in biomass partitioned to roots by velvetleaf might negatively impact its ability to compete with corn for light when N supply is limited.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF BLOCK COMPOST SAGO WASTE ORGANIC PLANTS ( POLYBAG ) ON COMPOSITION VARIATIONS

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Mohamad Yasin ◽  
Erma Prihastanti ◽  
Endah Dwi Hastuti
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Leaf Growth ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Sago Waste

Abstract The use of polybags is not environmentally friendly because the polybags will be thrown away and become trash so the environment will be polluted. One way to reduce environmental pollution is to use compost blocks made from sago waste. Sago waste has nutrients that can be used as plant growth media. One of the developments of growing media from compost is to form it in the form of compact compost blocks. Block compost functions in plant nurseries, stimulating root and leaf growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the type of block compost sago waste as a growing medium on variations in composition. At the time of planting, seedlings can be directly planted with holes in compost blocks. Seedlings planted in block compost have better growth in the field than seedlings planted in polybags, so that block compost can be considered as an environmentally friendly alternative to polybags. Keywords: Sago Waste; Growing Media; Block Compost.

Vegetation indices as a proxy for spatio-temporal variations in water availability in the semi-arid Rio Santa valley (Callejón de Huaylas, Peru)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenz Hänchen ◽  
Cornelia Klein ◽  
Fabien Maussion ◽  
Wolfgang Gurgiser ◽  
Georg Wohlfahrt
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Vegetation Indices ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Rainfall Data ◽  
Season Length ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Over Time

<p>In the semi-arid Peruvian Andes, the agricultural growing season is mostly determined by the timing of the onset and cessation of the wet season, to which annual crop yields are highly sensitive. Recently, local farmers in the Rio Santa valley (Callejón de Huaylas) bordered by the glaciated Coordillera Blanca to the east and the unglaciated Coordillera Negra to the west, reported increasing challenges in the predictability of the onset, more frequent dry spells and extreme precipitation events during the wet season. Previous studies based on time-series of local rain gauges however did not show any significant changes in either timing or intensity of the wet season. Both in-situ and satellite rainfall data for the region lack the necessary spatial resolution to capture the highly variable rainfall distribution typical for complex terrain, and are often of questionable quality and temporal consistency. As in other Andean valleys, there remains considerable uncertainty in the Rio Santa basin regarding hydrological changes over the last decades. These changes are of a great concern for the local society and the lacking knowledge about changes in water availability (i.e. rainfall) and water demand (i.e. land use practices) hinder the assessment of relevant factors for the development of adaption strategies.</p><p>The over-archiving goal of this study was to better understand variability and recent changes of plant growth and rainfall seasonality and the interactions between them in the Rio Santa basin. Specifically, we aimed to illustrate how satellite-derived information on vegetation greenness can be exploited to infer a robust and highly resolved picture of recent changes in rainfall and vegetation across the region: As the semi-arid climate causes water availability (i.e. precipitation) to be the key limiting factor for plant growth, patterns of precipitation occurrence and the seasonality of vegetation indices (VIs) are tightly coupled. Therefore, these indices can serve as an integrated proxy of rainfall. By combining a 20 year time series of MODIS Aqua and Terra VIs (from 2000 to today) and datasets of precipitation (both remote-sensing and observations) we explore recent spatial and temporal changes in vegetation and water availability by combining VIs timeseries and derived land surface phenology (LSP) with measures of wet season onset and cessation from rainfall data. Furthermore, we analyse the interaction of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the wet and growing season.</p><p>We find spatially variable but significant greening over the majority of the Rio Santa valley domain. This greening is particularly pronounced during the the dry season (Austral winter) and indicates an overall increase of plant available water over time. The start of the growing season (SOS) is temporally highly variable and dominates the variability of growing season length over time. Peak and end of season (POS, EOS) are significantly delayed in the 20 year analysis. By partitioning the results into periods of three stages of ENSO (neutral, Niño, Niña) we find an earlier onset of the rainy and growing season and an overall increased season length in years associated with El Niño.</p>

scholarly journals Biochar Improves the Properties of Poultry Manure Compost as Growing Media for Rosemary Production

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Fornes ◽  
Luisa Liu-Xu ◽  
Antonio Lidón ◽  
María Sánchez-García ◽  
María Luz Cayuela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Rooted Cuttings ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Manure Compost ◽  
Plant Cultivation ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
The Stability

Compost represents a sustainable alternative for peat (P) replacement in soilless plant cultivation, but its use can be limited by several inadequate physical and physicochemical properties. Biochar can alleviate some of the limitations of compost for its use as growth media by improving the physical properties, decreasing salinity and making the phytotoxic compounds unavailable for plants. We studied the physical and physicochemical properties of holm oak biochar (B), poultry manure compost (PMC), poultry manure composted with biochar (PMBC), a commercial peat (P) and multiple combinations of these materials as growth media, and their effect on the rooting and growth of rosemary. PMBC and PMC showed similar physical and physicochemical properties as growing media, and they both were phytotoxic when used in a rate above 50% (by volume) in the growing medium. However, when used at proportion of 25%, PMBC was less phytotoxic than PMC and enhanced the percentage of rosemary cutting rooting. The incorporation of B in the growing medium instead of P (either at 50% or 75% in volume) increased the stability of the growing media and the percentage of rooted cuttings, but it did not affect plant growth significantly. Our results demonstrate the potential of substituting peat by a combination of poultry manure compost and biochar for the formulation of growth media.

scholarly journals 374 Interactions of Temperature and Fertilizer Concentration Affect Growth of Petunia and Geranium

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 457A-457
Author(s):  
Jong-Goo Kang ◽  
Marc van Iersel
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Fertilizer Recommendations ◽  
Increasing Temperature ◽  
Fertilizer Solution

Fertilizer recommendations for fertilizing bedding plants are normally based on nitrogen content of the fertilizer solution. However, nutrient availability is more closely related to the concentration of nutrients in the growing medium than the concentration in the fertilizer solution. Environmental conditions can affect the accumulation of nutrients in the growing medium and optimal fertilizer concentrations are likely to depend on environmental conditions. To test this hypothesis, we grew petunias and geraniums under three temperature regimes (35 °C/27C, 25 °C/17C, and 15 °C/7 °C) and with five concentrations of fertilizers [electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.15, 1, 2, 3, and 4 dS·m–1]. Temperature and fertilizer EC affected the plant growth. Optimal fertilizer EC decreased as temperature increased. Growth was better correlated with EC of the growing medium than with EC of the fertilizer solution. Irrespective of growing temperature, plant growth was best when EC of the growing medium was between 3 and 4 dS·m–1. A lower growing medium EC slowed down growth, presumably because of mild nutrient deficiencies. Higher fertilizer concentrations in the growing medium (>4 dS·m–1) decreased growth because of salt stress. The EC of the growing medium increased with increasing EC of the fertilizer solution and with increasing temperature. Because of the interactive effect of fertilizer concentration and temperature on the EC of the growing medium, plants should be grown with more dilute fertilizer solutions at higher temperatures. Fertilization guidelines for growers should be based on maintaining the EC of the growing medium within an optimal range instead of the more traditional recommendations based on the concentration of the fertilizer solution.

scholarly journals Managing Fertilization of Bedding Plants: A Comparison of Constant Fertilizer Concentrations versus Constant Leachate Electrical Conductivity

HortScience ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong-Goo Kang ◽  
Marc W. van Iersel
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Fertilizer Management ◽  
Soluble Salts ◽  
Optimal Range ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Acidic Nature ◽  
Production Period ◽  
Very High ◽  
Fertilizer Solution

In the last decade, there has been an increasing focus on maintaining the electrical conductivity (EC) of leachate of bedding plants within an optimal range. However, there has been no research determining whether an optimal leachate EC results in better growth than using constant fertilizer concentrations throughout the production period. To evaluate the effects of constant fertilizer concentrations and constant leachate EC on the growth of wax begonia (Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum Hort.) ‘Cocktail mix’ and petunia (Petunia × hybrida Hort. Vilm-Andr.) ‘Gnome white’, we grew plants either with one of six different fertilizer concentrations (fertilizer EC of 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, or 5.5 dS·m−1) or by maintaining a leachate EC close to 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, or 5.5 dS·m−1. The leachate EC of plants fertilized with constant fertilizer concentrations increased throughout the experiment if the fertilizer EC was 2.5 dS·m−1 or higher, was stable in the 1.5 dS·m−1 treatment, and decreased in the 0.5 dS·m−1 treatment. In treatments in which we tried to maintain the leachate EC constant, the leachate EC on average was within 0.2 dS·m−1 of the target EC. As a result of the acidic nature of the fertilizer, the pH of the growing medium decreased throughout the experiment with increasing leachate or fertilizer EC. When plants were fertilized with constant fertilizer concentrations, fertilizer solution EC of 0.52 and 1.24 dS·m−1 were estimated to be optimal for begonia and petunia, respectively. When the growing medium was maintained at a constant EC, 1.0 and 1.7 dS·m−1 were estimated to be optimal for begonia and petunia, respectively. Growth of both begonia and petunia was greatly inhibited when high fertilizer concentrations caused accumulation of soluble salts in the growing medium. Growth was reduced more by high fertilizer EC than by high leachate EC treatments. This difference probably occurred because superoptimal fertilizer concentrations resulted in very high leachate EC (up to 10.5 dS·m−1 for petunia and 12.5 dS·m−1 for begonia), which in turn inhibited growth. Periodic measurements of leachate EC can be a valuable tool in fertilizer management to prevent such excess buildup of salts in the growing medium.

UTILIZATION OF RAWAPENING PEAT FOR NUTRIENT BLOCK AS A MEDIA NURSERIES Anthocephalus cadaba and Paraserianthes falcataria

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Hanggari Sittadewi., dkk
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Leaf Growth ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Paraserianthes Falcataria ◽  
Land Rehabilitation ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
The Media

Nutrient Block is a growing medium product in the form of a square (25 x 25 cm) or cylindrical (diameter = 20 cm, height = 25 cm) made of peat which has been composted, plus adhesive gypsum or tapioca waste. Nutrient Block is designed to support the post mining land rehabilitation program that is now threatening the environmental degradation in mining areas. Nutrient Block products has been proved good for growth because of the media in addition to having physical properties that are capable of storing large amounts of water, contain enough nutrients in the form available to plants,so it can support plant growth. Results of the Nutrient Block application test to Jabon (Anthocephalus cadaba) and Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria) plants showed that good performance, both plant height and diameter of trees and leaf growth in plants Jabon appear healthy and getting wider.keywords: nutrient block, post-mining land rehabilitation. Paraserianthes falcataria, Anthocephalus cadaba

scholarly journals Optimizing hydroponic culture media and NO3−/NH4+ ratio for improving essential oil compositions of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Ahmadi ◽  
Abbas Samadi ◽  
Ebrahim Sepehr ◽  
Amir Rahimi ◽  
Sergey Shabala
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Essential Oil ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Echinacea Purpurea ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Growing Media

AbstractMedicinal plants represent a valuable commodity due to beneficial effects of their natural products on human health, prompting a need for finding a way to optimize/increase their production. In this study, a novel growing media with various perlite particle size and its mixture with peat moss was tested for hydroponic-based production of Echinacea purpurea medicinal plant under greenhouse conditions. The plant growth parameters such as plant height, total fresh leave weight, fresh root weight, total biomass, total chlorophyll, leaf area, and essential oil compositions were assessed. Perlite particle size in the growing media was varied from very coarse (more than 2 mm) to very fine (less than 0.5 mm), and the ratio between perlite and peat moss varied from 50:50 v/v to 30:70 v/v. In addition, two nitrate (NO3−) to ammonium (NH4+) ratios (90:10 and 70:30) were tested for each growing media. The medium containing very fine-grade perlite and 50:50 v/v perlite to peat moss ratio was found to be most optimal and beneficial for E. purpurea performance, resulting in maximal plant height, fresh and dry weight, leaf surface area, and chlorophyll content. It was also found that an increase in NO3−/NH4+ ratio caused a significant increase in plant growth parameters and increase the plant essential oil content. The major terpene hydrocarbons found in extract of E. purpurea with the best growth parameters were germacrene D (51%), myrcene (15%), α-pinene (12%), β-caryophyllene (11%), and 1-Pentadecene (4.4%), respectively. The percentages of these terpene hydrocarbons were increased by increasing of NO3−/NH4+ ratio. It can be concluded that decreasing the perlite particle size and increasing the NO3−/NH4+ ratio increased the plant growth parameters and essential oil compositions in E. purpurea.

scholarly journals Perchlorate and Agriculture on Mars

Soil Systems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Christopher Oze ◽  
Joshua Beisel ◽  
Edward Dabsys ◽  
Jacqueline Dall ◽  
Gretchen North ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Soil Column ◽  
Metal Availability ◽  
Metal Release ◽  
High Solubility ◽  
Plant Life ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Successful Removal ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Martian Regolith

Perchlorate (ClO4−) is globally enriched in Martian regolith at levels commonly toxic to plants. Consequently, perchlorate in Martian regolith presents an obstacle to developing agriculture on Mars. Here, we assess the effect of perchlorate at different concentrations on plant growth and germination, as well as metal release in a simulated Gusev Crater regolith and generic potting soil. The presence of perchlorate was uniformly detrimental to plant growth regardless of growing medium. Plants in potting soil were able to germinate in 1 wt.% perchlorate; however, these plants showed restricted growth and decreased leaf area and biomass. Some plants were able to germinate in regolith simulant without perchlorate; however, they showed reduced growth. In Martian regolith simulant, the presence of perchlorate prevented germination across all plant treatments. Soil column flow-through experiments of perchlorate-containing Martian regolith simulant and potting soil were unable to completely remove perchlorate despite its high solubility. Additionally, perchlorate present in the simulant increased metal/phosphorous release, which may also affect plant growth and biochemistry. Our results support that perchlorate may modify metal availability to such an extent that, even with the successful removal of perchlorate, Martian regolith may continue to be toxic to plant life. Overall, our study demonstrates that the presence of perchlorate in Martian regolith provides a significant challenge in its use as an agricultural substrate and that further steps, such as restricted metal availability and nutrient enrichment, are necessary to make it a viable growing substrate.

scholarly journals Performance of Ornamental Plants in Alternative Organic Growing Media Amended with Increasing Rates of Expanded Shale

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 594-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Sloan ◽  
Raul I. Cabrera ◽  
Peter A.Y. Ampim ◽  
Steve A. George ◽  
Wayne A. Mackay
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Tissue ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Organic Materials ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Light Weight ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Micronutrient Uptake ◽  
Expanded Shale

Organic and inorganic amendments are often used to improve chemical and physical properties of soils. The objective of this study was to determine how the inclusion of light-weight expanded shale in various organic matter blends would affect plant performance. Four basic blends of organic growing media were prepared using traditional or alternative organic materials: 1) 75% pine bark (PB) + 25% sphagnum peatmoss (PM), 2) 50% PB + 50% wastewater biosolids (BS), 3) 100% municipal yard waste compost (compost), and 4) 65% PB + 35% cottonseed hulls (CH). Light-weight expanded shale was then blended with each of these mixtures at rates of 0%, 15%, 30%, and 60% (v/v). Vinca (Catharanthus roseus), verbena (Verbena hybrida), and shantung maple (Acer truncatum) were planted into the growing media after they were transferred into greenhouse pots. Vinca growth was monitored for 3 months before harvesting aboveground plant tissue to determine total biomass yield and elemental composition. Verbena growth was monitored for 6 months, during which time aboveground plant tissue was harvested twice to determine total biomass yield. Additionally, aboveground vinca plant tissue was analyzed for nutrients and heavy metal concentrations. In the absence of expanded shale, verbena and shantung maple trees produced more aboveground biomass in the 50-PB/50-BS blends, whereas vinca grew more biomass in the pure compost blends. Inclusion of expanded shale in the various organic matter blends generally had a negative effect on plant growth, with the exception of shantung maple growth in the 65-PB/35-CH blend. Reduced plant growth was probably due to a lower concentration of nutrients in the growing media. Macro- and micronutrient uptake was generally reduced by addition of expanded shale to the organic growing media. Results suggest that organic materials that have been stabilized through prior decomposition, such as compost or PM, are safe and reliable growing media, but expanded shale offers few benefits to a container growing medium except in cases where additional porosity is needed.

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