Effect of Four Growing Substrates on Growth of Ornamental Plants in Two Irrigation Systems

In this study, areca palm (Dypsis lutescens), crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis), pentas (Pentas lanceolat), and philodendron (Philodendron) `Hope' plants were transplanted into containers filled with four growing substrates and watered daily, every 2 days, or every 3 days using subirrigation or overhead irrigation. Plants were grown in either a pine bark/sedge peat/sand substrate (BSS), Metro-mix 500 (MM), Pro-mix GSX (PM), or a 60% biosolid substrate (SYT). For both irrigation systems, final shoot dry weight of pentas, crossandra, philodendron, and areca palm plants in each substrate was greatest for plants watered every day and least for plants watered every 3 days. At all three irrigation frequencies, pentas, crossandra, and philodendron shoot dry weight in subirrigated pots filled with PM was greater than in overhead watered pots filled with PM. PM had the highest total pore space and moisture content of the four substrates examined. There was no difference in pentas, crossandra, or philodendron shoot dry weight between the irrigation systems, at all three irrigation frequencies, when plants were grown in BSS, MM, or SYT. However, for all four substrates and at all three irrigation frequencies, areca palm shoot dry weight was greater in overhead watered pots than in subirrigated pots. The final substrate electrical conductivity (EC) in all four subirrigated palm substrates was more than double the concentrations in overhead watered palm substrates. In this study, largest pentas, crossandra, and philodendron plants were grown in pots filled with PM and subirrigated daily, while largest areca palm plants were grown in pots filled with MM or SYT and watered overhead daily.

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The Response of `Tifway' Bermudagrass to Growth Retardants as Charged-hydrophilic Polymers or Foliar Spray under Two Irrigation Systems

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.3.521b ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 521B-521 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fahed A. Al-mana ◽

David J. Beattie

Keyword(s):

Water Loss ◽

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

Foliar Spray ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Hydrophilic Polymers ◽

Growth Retardants ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Overhead Irrigation ◽

Charged Polymer

A study of applying growth retardants under overhead and subsurface irrigation systems was conducted on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. cv. Tifway) grown from rhizomes in 15-cm pots containing sand medium. Paclobutrazol (50%) at 2 mg/pot was used as foliar spray or charged-hydrophilic polymers (Super Sorb C) and either incorporated or put below medium surface. Mefluidide (28%) at 0.01% ml/pot was used only as foliar spray. Before spray treatments, grasses were cut at 2 cm from medium surface, and the second cut was made at the 6th week from treatment. All growth retardant treatments reduced grass height compared to non-treated plants. The lowest grass height was produced by paclobutrazol as foliar spray under overhead irrigation in the 6th and 9th week. By the 9th week, all hormonal treatments under the two irrigation systems had no effect on grass quality, color, and establishment rate. Both paclobutrazol foliar spray and below medium surface charged-polymer treatments under subsurface irrigation had the lowest water loss and dry weight by the 6th and 9th week. The paclobutrazol charged-polymer treatment under subsurface irrigation had also the the lowest root dry weight among all treatments. Although mefluidide foliar spray was less effective on grass height than paclobutrazol, they had similar effect on water loss and shoot dry weight.

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Reducing Substrate Moisture Content (SMC) during Greenhouse Production and Postproduction of Angelonia and Heliotrope Improves Crop Quality and Economic Value

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci12910-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (7) ◽

pp. 1006-1011

Author(s):

Yanjun Guo ◽

Terri Starman ◽

Charles Hall

Keyword(s):

Moisture Content ◽

Economic Value ◽

Ornamental Plants ◽

Visual Quality ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Production Costs ◽

Greenhouse Production ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Total Plant ◽

Substrate Moisture

Retail environments are rarely optimal for ornamental plants, and wilting caused by water stress is a major cause of postproduction shrinkage. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two levels of substrate moisture content (SMC) applied during greenhouse production on angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) ‘Angelface Blue’ and heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) ‘Simply Scentsational’ growth and physiological parameters and subsequent postproduction quality during simulated retail conditions. At the end of production, angelonia total plant shoot dry weight (DW) was reduced with 20% SMC compared with 40% SMC, and plants grown with 20% SMC had higher shoot coloring percentage, reduced internode length, and required less irrigation labor–related costs compared with 40% SMC. Heliotrope grown at 20% SMC produced the same size plant as 40% SMC, but had a higher shoot coloring percentage at the end of production and postproduction, indicating lower SMC resulted in higher visual quality compared with 40% SMC. For both species, 20% SMC increased plant visual quality compared with 40% SMC and reduced irrigation water input throughout production, resulting in reduced production costs and increased floral crop economic value.

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LIME AND GYPSUM APPLICATIONS ON SOIL CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES AND INITIAL GROWTH OF EUCALYPTUS

FLORESTA ◽

10.5380/rf.v48i4.57455 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 573 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Camila Adaime Gabriel ◽

Paulo Cezar Cassol ◽

Marcia Aparecida Simonete ◽

Letícia Moro ◽

Priscylla Pfleger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Soil Phosphorus ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Initial Growth ◽

Soil Electrical Conductivity ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Eucalyptus Dunnii ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Chemical Attributes

Eucalyptus crops in Southern Brazil are generally conducted in acidic soils, thus their yield can be increased by lime and gypsum applications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lime and gypsum applications on soil chemical attributes and initial growth of Eucalyptus benthamii and Eucalyptus dunnii in a Humic Cambisol (Inceptisol). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with seedlings of both species of eucalyptus grown in soil treated with different rates of lime (0, 3, 6, and 12 Mg ha-1), and gypsum (0, 6, 3, 12.6, and 25.2 Mg ha-1). At 90 days after application of the treatments, the soil chemical attributes and growth components of eucalyptus seedlings. The lime increased the production shoot dry weight, however, the response to gypsum was negative. The lime increased the soil pH, exchangeable calcium (Ca), base saturation (V %), and slightly the soil electrical conductivity, decreased the soil aluminium saturation (m %), and promoted little reduction in the exchangeable potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) contents. The gypsum didn't alter the soil pH, but decreased the m%, increased soil phosphorus (P) contents, and expressively increased the electrical conductivity, which may have had a negative effect on the eucalyptus growth. In conclusion, the addition of limestone decreases the soil acidity and benefits the growth of eucalyptus seedlings. However, the addition of gypsum has no expressive effects upon those variables, but it can decrease the growth of seedlings when the rates are excessive.

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Plant Growth and Leachate Electrical Conductivity and pH as Influenced by Controlled-release Fertilizer Blends and Coating Technologies

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech03767-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 639-643 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carey Grable ◽

Joshua Knight ◽

Dewayne L. Ingram

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Controlled Release ◽

Polymer Coating ◽

Ornamental Plants ◽

Nutrient Release ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Polymer Coatings ◽

Release Rates ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Controlled Release Fertilizers

Although controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) have been used in container-grown ornamental plants for decades, new coating technologies and blends of fertilizers coated for specific release rates are being employed to customize fertility for specific environments and crops. A study was conducted in the transitional climate of Kentucky to determine the nutrient release rates of three controlled-release blends of 8- to 9-month release and growth response of ‘Double Play Pink’ japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) and ‘Smaragd’ arbovitae (Thuja occidentalis). Fertilizer 1 (16N–3.5P–8.3K–1.8Mg + trace elements) and Fertilizer 2 (18N–3.1P–8.3K–1.8Mg + trace elements) were prototype blends with different experimental polymer coatings. Fertilizer 3 was a blend of 18N–2.2P–6.6K–1.1Ca–1.4Mg–5.8S + trace elements, which combined 100% resin-coated prills with a polymer coating. Fertilizer 4 was commercially available 15N–3.9P–10K–1.3Mg–6S + trace elements. Fertilizer 3 released its nutrients earlier in the 12-week study than the other three fertilizers and resulted in lower shoot dry weight in both species. The new polymer coating technologies show promise for delivering a predicted release rate and are appropriate for container production of these woody shrubs in Kentucky. An interesting side note of this experiment was that leachate pH measurements across treatments averaged 1.2 units lower for arbovitae (6.3) than for japanese spirea (7.5) at week 12. It was assumed that chemical and/or biological reactions at the root/substrate interface in arbovitae moderated pH increases over the study.

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822 PB 269 PINE BARK SOIL AMENDMENTS AND NUTRITION AFFECT GROWTH AND DROUGHT TOLERANCE OF VIBURNUM PLICATUM VAR. TOMENTOSUM `MARIESII'

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.29.5.551b ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 551b-551

Author(s):

Carleton B Wood ◽

Timothy J. Smalley ◽

Mark Rieger

Keyword(s):

Drought Tolerance ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Shoot Growth ◽

Soil Amendments ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Ammonium Toxicity ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Nitrogen Deficiencies ◽

Water Contents

Container-grown Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum `Mariesii' were planted in tilled beds and tilled beds amended with aged pine bark. After transplanting, plants were fertilized at three different rates: no fertilizer, 18.4 g of N m-2, and 36.8 g of N m-2. A 31 day drought was begun 73 days after planting. Fertilization of tilled plots induced ammonium toxicity, which caused a linear reduction in leaf area, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight. Fertilization of amended plots had no effect on shoot growth but reduced mot growth by 54%; thus, amendments ameliorated ammonium toxicity. Between 10 and 28 days after beginning the drought, plants in unfertilized-amended plots maintained higher relative leaf water contents (RLWC) and relative leaf expansion rates (RLER) than plants in unfertilized-tilled plots. Amendment induced nitrogen deficiencies contributed to the increased drought tolerance of plants from unfertilized-amended plots. Since fertilized plants developed symptoms of ammonium toxicity, we were unable to determine if increasing fertility would counteract the drought tolerance conferred by pine bark soil amendments.

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Use of Ground Miscanthus Straw in Container Nursery Substrates

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-29.3.114 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 114-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

James E. Altland ◽

James C. Locke

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Management Practices ◽

Dry Weight ◽

The United States ◽

Primary Component ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Growth Reduction ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Air Space ◽

Foliar Nutrient

Abstract Pine bark (PB) is the primary component in nursery substrates in the United States. Availability of pine bark is decreasing and price is increasing. The objective of this research was to determine if miscanthus straw (MS) can replace all or part of the pine bark fraction in nursery container substrates. Five substrates were created that contained 15% sphagnum peatmoss, 5% municipal solid waste compost, and the remaining 80% consisted of one of the five following PB:MS ratios: 0:80, 20:60, 40:40, 60:20, and 80:0. Luna Red hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) were grown in each substrate and evaluated for eight weeks in a greenhouse. Ground MS increased air space and decreased container capacity and bulk density as its concentration in the substrate increased. Additions of MS did not affect hibiscus chlorophyll content, and had negligible effects on hibiscus foliar nutrient levels. Increasing levels of MS caused a decrease in plant shoot dry weight, although growth reduction was most pronounced with 80% MS. Ground MS has potential to be a suitable substrate for nursery growers, however, some changes to management practices will be necessary.

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407 Nitrogen Retention and Release by Paper Pellets in the Bottom of Nursery Containers

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.3.463b ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 463B-463

Author(s):

J.O. Glenn ◽

C.H. Gilliam ◽

J.H. Edwards ◽

G.J. Keever ◽

J. Olive ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Destructive Sampling ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Recycled Paper ◽

Total N ◽

Foliar N ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Nitrate N

Recycled paper pellets in the bottom of containers were evaluated for retention of N from container leachate. `Formosa' azalea were transplanted on 15 Apr. in 2.8-L containers in a pine bark/peat substrate (3:1; v/v). Treatments included paper (0 or 2.5 cm depth) in the bottom of containers and two rates of Osmocote 18–6–12 (0.68 kg or 1.36 kg N/yd3). Immediately after transplanting, plants were topdressed with 3.2 g of 12–4–6 fertilizer. Data collected included leachate samples every 2 weeks for NO3-N and NH4-N levels and destructive sampling every 4 weeks for shoot dry weight, foliar N, and total paper N. Nitrate-N and NH4-N leachate concentrations were reduced with the 0.68 kg N/yd3 fertilizer rate and with paper. For example, 28 days after planting (DAP) NO3-N leachate concentrations were reduced 36% with the 0.68 kg N/yd3 fertilizer rate and 46% with paper in the bottom of containers. NH4-N in the leachates was reduced 53% with the 0.68 kg N/yd3 fertilizer rate and 59% with paper. Azalea shoot dry weight was not affected by paper or fertilizer rate up to 112 DAP; however, as the study progressed, plants with paper in the bottom of containers grew larger than plants in no paper treatments (29% at 168 DAP, 31% at 196 DAP). Total N absorbed by paper was not affected by fertilizer rate, and peaked at 168 DAP [980 (0.68 kg N/yd3) to 1066 (1.36 kg N/yd3) mg per container, or 41% – 28% of applied N], after which it began to decline. This decline in paper N was associated with greater growth of azalea with paper.

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Tolerance of Otebo Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) to New Herbicides in Ontario

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-05-144.1 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 862-866 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Peter H. Sikkema ◽

Darren E. Robinson ◽

Christy Shropshire ◽

Nader Soltani

Keyword(s):

Moisture Content ◽

Plant Height ◽

Weed Management ◽

Safety Margin ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Field Trials ◽

High Rate ◽

Seed Moisture Content ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Seed Moisture

Weed management is a major production issue facing otebo bean growers in Ontario. Field trials were conducted at six Ontario locations during a 2-yr period (2003 and 2004) to evaluate the tolerance of otebo bean to the preplant incorporated (PPI) application of EPTC at 4,400 and 8,800 g ai/ha, trifluralin at 1,155 and 2,310 g ai/ha, dimethenamid at 1,250 and 2,500 g ai/ha,S-metolachlor at 1,600 and 3,200 g ai/ha, and imazethapyr at 75 and 150 g ai/ha. EPTC, trifluralin, dimethenamid, andS-metolachlor applied PPI resulted in minimal (less than 5%) visual injury and with exception of the low rate of dimethenamid causing a 16% reduction in shoot dry weight and the high rate causing an 8% plant height reduction had no adverse effect on plant height, shoot dry weight, seed moisture content, and yield. Imazethapyr applied PPI caused up to 7% visual injury and reduced plant height, shoot dry weight, and yield 8, 18, and 12% at 75 g/ha and 19, 38, and 27% at 150 g/ ha, respectively. Seed moisture content was also reduced by 0.4% with both rates. Based on these results, otebo bean is not tolerant of imazethapyr applied PPI at rates as low as 75 g/ha, the proposed use rate. EPTC, trifluralin, dimethenamid, andS-metolachlor applied PPI have a 2× rate crop safety margin for use in otebo bean weed management.

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Seed Quality of Stored Soybean (Glycine max L.) as Influenced by Storage Containers and Storage Periods

The Agriculturists ◽

10.3329/agric.v12i1.19585 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 85-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

N Akter ◽

MM Haque ◽

MR Islam ◽

KM Alam

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Seed Weight ◽

Seed Quality ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Germination Index ◽

Storage Container ◽

Storage Containers

An experiment was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during April 2013 to June 2013 to study the effect of three storage containers (tin container, polythene bag and cloth bag); and five storage periods (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days) on the seed quality of soybean. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. The soybean seeds stored in tin container showed maximum germination capacity with high germination index, highest seedling growth, seedling dry weight per plant and vigour index. The seeds stored in cloth bag had the lowest seed quality during the testing period. The highest 1000-seed weight, moisture content, electrical conductivity, abnormal seedlings and number of dead seeds were recorded in cloth bag; where the equivalent lowest values were recorded in tin container. The moisture content, 1000-seed weight, electrical conductivity, number of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds were increased with the longer period of storage. In addition, germination index, seedling growth, dry weight per plant of soybean seedling, and vigor index decreased with the increase in storage period. Among the three containers, tin container was the best and the cloth bag was the worst storage container for soybean seed storage for long period. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v12i1.19585 The Agriculturists 2014; 12(1) 85-95

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Growth of tomato seedlings in substrates containing a nanocomposite hydrogel with calcium montmorillonite (NC-MMt)

Horticultura Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-053620190210 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 199-203

Author(s):

Raphael AC Melo ◽

Marçal HA Jorge ◽

Adriel Bortolin ◽

Leonardo S Boiteux ◽

Caue R Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Peat Moss ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Nanocomposite Hydrogel ◽

Tomato Seedlings ◽

Root Dry Weight ◽

Shoot Dry Weight

ABSTRACT The correct use of hydrogels in some situations can increase seedling survival rates, plant growth, and the water-retention capacity of the growing medium. A technique for the production of a nanocomposite hydrogel using calcium montmorillonite (NC-MMt) was recently developed. However, additional research is necessary in order to validate this innovative input, particularly for the production of vegetable crops seedlings. In this context, the main objective of the present study was to evaluate the growth and development of seedlings, tomato hybrid ‘BRS Nagai’, in substrates containing different amendments of hydrogel NC-MMt. The trial was conducted in a 3x3 factorial arranged in a complete randomized blocks design, with three replications. Three substrates (peat moss, pine bark, and coconut peat) corresponded to the first factor and three rates of the NC-MMt hydrogel (0%= R1, 1.5%= R2 and 2.0%= R3, on a w/w basis) corresponded to the second factor. Each plot was composed of 16 plants that were assessed after three weeks. Overall, peat moss-based and pine bark-based substrates resulted in higher values for most of the analyzed traits: plant emergency percentage, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, plant height/shoot dry weight ratio, root dry weight, shoot dry weight/root dry weight ratio and the Dickinson Quality Index. Rates of NC-MMt hydrogel displayed significant responses only to root superficial area and root volume. NC-MMt hydrogel amendment (mainly 1.5%) combined with specific substrates (mainly peat moss-based substrate) was able to improve the growth of ‘BRS Nagai’ tomato seedlings, with no observed toxic effects.

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