scholarly journals Controlled-release Fertilizer Application Rates for Container Nursery Crop Production in Southwestern Ontario, Canada

HortScience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 1414-1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Agro ◽  
Youbin Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Optimal Range ◽  
Production Time ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽  
Application Rates

Region-specific trials examining optimum controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) rates for the Canadian climate are limited. This study was conducted to determine an optimum range of CRF application rates and the effect of the application rate on growth, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) losses of six economically important container-grown woody ornamental shrubs using typical production practices at a southwestern Ontario nursery. Salix purpurea ‘Nana’, Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’, Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bombshell’, Hibiscus syriacus ‘Ardens’, and Spiraea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ were potted in 1-gal pots and fertilized with Polyon® 16N-2.6P-10K (5–6 month longevity) incorporated at rates of 0.8, 1.2, 1.7, 2.1, and 2.5 kg·m−3 N in 2012. The experiment was repeated for the 2013 growing season with rates of CRF incorporated at 0.05, 0.35, 0.65, 0.95, and 1.25 kg·m−3 N. Plant performance (i.e., growth index) and leachate electrical conductivity (EC) and pH were evaluated once every 3 to 4 weeks during the respective growing seasons. The amount of N and P lost to the environment was determined for the 2012 growing season. The interaction between nutrient supply rate and target species affected most response variables. Although higher levels of fertilization produced larger plants and had the potential to decrease production time, increased losses of N and P and higher EC leachate values occurred. Results of this study indicate that an acceptable range of CRF application rates can be used for each species depending on the production goals, i.e., decreased production time, maximum growth, or decreased nutrient leachate. Overall, the highest acceptable CRF rates within the optimal range were: 1.25 kg·m−3 N for Spiraea; 1.7 kg·m−3 N for Hydrangea; 2.1 kg·m−3 N for Cornus; and 2.5 kg·m−3 N for Weigela, Salix, and Hibiscus. The lowest acceptable rates within the optimal range were: 0.35 kg·m−3 N for Hibiscus; 0.65 kg·m−3 N for Cornus, Weigela, Salix, and Spiraea; and 0.80 kg·m−3 N for Hydrangea.

scholarly journals Use of Species-specific Controlled-release Fertilizer Rates to Manage Growth and Quality of Container Nursery Crops

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane Clark ◽  
Youbin Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Nursery Crops ◽  
Species Specific

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) application rates or ranges for the production of five 2-gal nursery crops. Plants were evaluated following fertilization with 19N–2.6P–10.8K plus minors, 8–9 month CRF incorporated at 0.15, 0.45, 0.75, 1.05, 1.35, and 1.65 kg·m−3 nitrogen (N). The five crops tested were bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), ‘Green Velvet’ boxwood (Buxus ×), ‘Magic Carpet’ spirea (Spiraea japonica), ‘Palace Purple’ coral bells (Heuchera micrantha), and rose of sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). Most plant growth characteristics (i.e., growth index, plant height, leaf area, and shoot dry weight) were greater in high vs. low CRF treatments at the final harvest. Low CRF rates negatively impacted overall appearance and marketability. The species-specific CRF range recommendations were 1.05 to 1.35 kg·m−3 N for rose of sharon, 0.75 to 1.05 kg·m−3 N for ‘Magic Carpet’ spirea, and 0.75 to 1.35 kg·m−3 N for bigleaf hydrangea and ‘Green Velvet’ boxwood, whereas the recommended CRF rate for ‘Palace Purple’ coral bells was 0.75 kg·m−3 N. Overall, species-specific CRF application rates can be used to manage growth and quality of containerized nursery crops during production in a temperate climate.

scholarly journals Container-grown Shrubs Respond Differently to Controlled-release Fertilizer Rates in a Temperate Climate

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane Clark ◽  
Youbin Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Species Specific

To determine the response of container-grown shrubs to controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) rate when grown in a temperate climate, Polyon® 19–04–10 + Minors, an 8–9 month CRF, was incorporated into growing substrates for ‘Gro-Low’ fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica Aiton), ‘Goldmound’ spirea (Spiraea × bumalda Burv.) and ‘Bloomerang’® purple lilac (Syringa × ‘Penda’) transplants. Also, a 15–06–11 + Micros, a 10–12 month CRF, was incorporated into growing substrates for ‘Green Mound’ boxwood (Buxus × ‘Green Mound’), ‘Runyan’ yew (Taxus × media) and ‘Emerald’ white-cedar (arborvitae) (Thuja occidentalis L.) transplants, at six rates (0.15, 0.45, 0.75, 1.05, 1.35 and 1.65 kg·m−3 N; 0.25, 0.76, 1.26, 1.77, 2.28 and 2.78 lb·yd−3 N). We observed greater growth index, leaf area, and shoot dry weight at high vs. low CRF rates for the majority of species. Nutrient deficiency symptoms such as light green leaves were observed at low CRF rates for some species, including fragrant sumac, lilac and white-cedar. Optimal species-specific CRF application rates were 1.05 kg·m−3 N (1.77 lb·yd−3 N) for lilac and yew and 0.45 kg·m−3 N (0.76 lb·yd−3 N) for boxwood and white-cedar, while the optimal CRF ranges were 0.75 to 1.35 kg·m−3 N (1.26 to 2.28 lb·yd−3 N) for fragrant sumac and 0.75 to 1.05 kg·m−3 N (1.26 to 1.77 lb·yd−3 N) for spirea. Adjusting CRF application rates based on plant response may provide nursery growers with an efficient tool for managing nursery crop growth and production timing in the temperate climate.

scholarly journals Effect of Topdressed Controlled-release Fertilizer Rates on Nursery Crop Quality and Growth and Growing Substrate Nutrient Status in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane Clark ◽  
Youbin Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Growth Data ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Outdoor Nursery ◽  
Over Time

The objectives of the current study were to 1) determine the best topdressed controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) application rates for quality and growth of two nursery crops under temperate climate outdoor nursery production conditions in the Niagara region, Ontario, Canada, and 2) evaluate the nutrient status of the growing substrate following topdressing of two CRF types during the growing season. Fall-transplanted Goldmound spirea (Spiraea ×bumalda ‘Goldmound’) and Wine & Roses® weigela [Weigela florida (Bunge) A. DC. ‘Alexandra’] were grown in 2-gal (7.56 L) containers and topdressed on 7 May 2015 with Osmocote Plus 15N–3.9P–9.9K, 5–6 month CRF or Plantacote 14N–3.9P–12.5K, 6 month Homogeneous NPK with Micros. CRF was applied at rates of 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5, and 9.0 g nitrogen (N)/pot for both species. The best plants at the end of the growing season (i.e., 23 Sept. 2015) were spirea at 3.0–4.5 and 3.0–6.0 g N/pot, and weigela at 3.0–4.5 and 6.0 g N/pot, with Osmocote and Plantacote, respectively. At CRF rates above these rates, the majority of plants showed no increase in growth or quality attributes. All weigela plants, despite CRF application rate, showed K deficiency symptoms during the study. Using marketable-size criteria and plant growth data over time, estimates of production timing are presented for fall-transplanted, spring-topdressed weigela and spirea. These estimates may assist growers in choosing CRF application rates to meet time-sensitive production goals. Early in the growing season, NO3-N and P concentrations in the growing substrate were highest at CRF rates ≥4.5 and ≥6.0 g N/pot, respectively, and P continued to be high in August and September at 9.0 g N/pot. NH3-N and K concentrations at all CRF application rates were greater early in the growing season and decreased over time. At high CRF rates toward the end of the growing season, concentrations of NO3-N, NH3-N, and P once again increased. Considering crop-specific CRF application rates and understanding changes in growing substrate nutrient status during the growing season may help nursery growers prevent negative environmental impacts from over-fertilizing.

scholarly journals 647 Effects of Nitrogen Application Rates on Leachate Nitrogen Concentrations and Leatherleaf Fern Establishment

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 509B-509
Author(s):  
Robert H. Stamps
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
N Application ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
N Application Rate

One of the most difficult times to balance crop nitrogen (N) requirements with concerns about nitrate-N leaching occurs during crop establishment, when root systems are poorly developed and not widely distributed in the growing medium. This dilemma can be exacerbated when producing a slow-growing plant such as leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis [Forst.] Ching) on sandy soils in shadehouses in areas with significant rainfall. Rhizomes were planted in 36 drainage lysimeters containing Tavares fine sand located in a shadehouse. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at nine rates using liquid and/or controlled-release fertilizer. Nitrogen application rates were varied as the rhizomes became established and spread into unplanted areas of the lysimeters. Irrigation and rainfall were monitored and the amount of water not lost to evapotranspiration was determined. Nitrogen (ammoniacal, nitrate/nitrite, total Kjeldahl) concentrations in leachate collected below the rootzone were determined. Stipe sap nitrate and frond total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) were determined to try to develop a production monitoring technique. Initially, only leachate samples from controlled-release fertilizer plots treated at 21 and 42 kg of N/ha per year and liquid fertilizer at 28 kg of N/ha per year were consistently below the maximum contamination level (MCL) of 10 mg·L–1. As the fern became established, leachate nitrate/nitrite-N concentrations from higher N application rate treatments also remained below the MCL. Leachate N concentrations decreased as rainfall increased. Fern growth increased with increasing N application rate. Stipe sap nitrate-N and frond TKN concentrations were not well-correlated during establishment.

scholarly journals Nodulation and Plant Growth of Shepherdia ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ Topdressed with Controlled-release Fertilizer

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1956-1962
Author(s):  
Ji-Jhong Chen ◽  
Heidi Kratsch ◽  
Jeanette Norton ◽  
Youping Sun ◽  
Larry Rupp
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Nodule Formation ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Gas Exchange Parameters ◽  
N Content ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽  
Application Rates

Shepherdia ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ (‘Torrey’ hybrid buffaloberry) is an actinorhizal plant that can fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) in symbiotic root nodules with Frankia. Actinorhizal plants with N2-fixing capacity are valuable in sustainable nursery production and urban landscape use. However, whether nodule formation occurs in S. ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ and its interaction with nitrogen (N) fertilization remain largely unknown. Increased mineral N in fertilizer or nutrient solution might inhibit nodulation and lead to excessive N leaching. In this study, S. ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ plants inoculated with soils containing Frankia were irrigated with an N-free nutrient solution with or without added 2 mm ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) or with 0.0 to 8.4 g·L−1 controlled-release fertilizer (CRF; 15N–3.9P–10K) to study nodulation and plant morphological and physiological responses. The performance of inoculated plants treated with various amounts of CRF was compared with uninoculated plants treated with the manufacturer’s prescribed rate. Plant growth, gas exchange parameters, and shoot N content increased quadratically or linearly along with increasing CRF application rates (all P < 0.01). No parameters increased significantly at CRF doses greater than 2.1 g·L−1. Furthermore, the number of nodules per plant decreased quadratically (P = 0.0001) with increasing CRF application rates and nodule formation were completely inhibited at 2.9 g·L−1 CRF or by NH4NO3 at 2 mm. According to our results, nodulation of S. ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ was sensitive to N in the nutrient solution or in increasing CRF levels. Furthermore, plant growth, number of shoots, leaf area, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, root dry weight, and N content of shoots of inoculated S. ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ plants treated with 2.1 g·L−1 CRF were similar to those of uninoculated plants treated with the manufacturer’s prescribed rate. Our results show that S. ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ plants inoculated with soil containing Frankia need less CRF than the prescribed rate to maintain plant quality, promote nodulation for N2 fixation, and reduce N leaching.

Species-specific fertilization can benefit container nursery crop production

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane Clark ◽  
Youbin Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Canopy Area ◽  
Weigela Florida ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Container Nursery

Clark, M. J. and Zheng, Y. 2015. Species-specific fertilization can benefit container nursery crop production. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 251–262. To determine the responses of six container-grown shrub species to different controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) application rates, plant growth and root-zone traits were evaluated following fertilization with Polyon® 16–6–13, 5–6 month CRF incorporated at 0.60, 0.89, 1.19, 1.49 and 1.79 kg m−3 N. The six species tested at a southwestern Ontario, Canada, nursery were Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’ (yellow-twig dogwood), Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ (dwarf winged euonymus), Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ (Pee Gee hydrangea), Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Nugget’ (Nugget ninebark), Spiraea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ (Magic Carpet spirea), Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ (Wine and Roses weigela). Different species responded differently to the CRF rates applied. For the majority of species at the final harvest, growth index, plant height, canopy area, leaf area and above-ground dry weight were greater in high vs. low CRF rates; however, different species had different optimal CRF application rates or ranges: 1.49 kg m−3 N for Hydrangea and Spiraea, 1.19 kg m−3 N for Weigela, 1.19 to 1.49 kg m−3 N for Cornus and Physocarpus, and ≤0.60 kg m−3 N for Euonymus. Based on these species-specific optimal fertilizer rates or ranges, growers can group plant species with similar fertilizer demands, thereby reducing fertilizer waste and maximizing plant production.

scholarly journals Nitrate Loading to the Soil Profile Underlying Two Containerized Nursery Crops Supplied Controlled Release Fertilizer

1993 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-85
Author(s):  
M.H. Brand ◽  
R.J. McAvoy ◽  
E.G. Corbett
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Nitrate Nitrogen ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Cornus Amomum

Abstract Cornus amomum and Rhododendron ‘Cary's Red’ were grown in #3 (10 1) containers outdoors and supplied with a controlled release fertilizer (CRF). At two week intervals, core samples were removed from the soil underlying the crop at 30 cm (12 in) increments to a depth of 90 cm (36 in). Soil samples and foliar samples were analyzed for nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) concentration. NO3-N accumulated rapidly in the upper 30 cm (12 in) of soil underlying containerized crops. Accumulation in the 30–60 cm (12–24 in) layer occurred later in the growing season and NO3-N buildup in the 60–90 cm (24–36 in) layer lagged behind both upper soil layers. Maximum NO3-N concentrations exceeded 40 mg/kg (6.36 × 10−4 oz lb−1) of soil and levels above 20 mg/kg (3.18 × 10−4 oz/lb) of soil were sustained throughout the 90 cm (36 in) soil profile for much of the growing season. Patterns of soil NO3-N concentration suggest that, by the middle of the growing season, rapid-growing Cornus may better utilize released N fertilizer than slower growing Rhododendron. Foliar samples confirm significantly higher NO3-N uptake by Cornus than by Rhododendron.

scholarly journals Growth of Capillary-Irrigated Andorra Juniper and Sarcoxie Euonymus as Affected by Controlled Release Fertilizer Type and Placement

1990 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-95
Author(s):  
Peter R. Hicklenton
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Branch Length ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
The Other ◽  
Soluble Salts ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizer ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Euonymus Fortunei ◽  
Capillary Bed

Abstract Juniperus horizontalis Moench. ‘Plumosa compacata’ and Euonymus fortunei Turcz. ‘Sarcoxie’ were grown on a sand capillary bed with two types of controlled release fertilizer (3:1 Type 100:Type 40 Nutricote 16N-4.4P-8.1K (16-10-10),and Osmocote 18N-2.6P-9.7K (18-6-12) either medium-incorporated, surface-applied or dibbled below the roots. Throughout the growing season, neither leaf area, root or shoot dry weight of euonymus was affected by fertilizer type or placement. Branch length growth and dry weight of juniper was not affected by fertilizer type when fertilizer was surface-applied or medium incorporated. Dibbled Osmocote produced similar results, but dibbled Nutricote resulted in poor root and shoot development in juniper throughout the season. Medium soluble salt concentration (determined on container leachate) was 2800 dS/m in the dibbled Nutricote treatments in June (approximately 2.5 times higher than that in the other treatments). Soluble salts decreased between June 21 and August 16 in all treatments and then remained quite constant until the end of the season (September 13).

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