scholarly journals Improving Bedding Plant Quality and Stress Resistance with Low Phosphorus

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian Borch ◽  
Kathleen M. Brown ◽  
Jonathan P. Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Root Distribution ◽  
Small Volume ◽  
Plant Quality ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Bedding Plant ◽  
Low Phosphorus ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
P Leaching

Bedding plants are frequently exposed to water stress during the postproduction period, resulting in reduced quality. We demonstrated that alumina-buffered P fertilizer (Al-P) provides adequate but much lower P concentrations than conventionally used in soilless mixes. When impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook. f. `Impulse Orange') and marigold (Tagetes patula L. `Janie Tangerine') plants were grown with reduced phosphorus using Al-P, P leaching was greatly reduced and plant quality was improved. Diameter of impatiens plants and leaf area of plants of both species were reduced by Al-P. Marigold plants grown with Al-P had more flowers and fewer wilted flowers. Flower wilting was also reduced for impatiens plants grown with Al-P. In marigold plants, roots were confined to a small volume beneath the drip tube in control plants, while roots of Al-P plants were well distributed through the medium. There was no obvious difference in impatiens root distribution. When plants at the marketing stage were exposed to drought, the Al-P plants of both species wilted more slowly than the conventionally fertilized controls. The reduced leaf area in both species and the improved root distribution of marigold may account for the improvement in drought tolerance of the Al-P plants.

scholarly journals Finishing Bedding Plants: A Comparison of an Unheated High Tunnel versus a Heated Greenhouse in Two Geographic Locations

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 527-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Currey ◽  
Roberto G. Lopez ◽  
Neil S. Mattson
Keyword(s):  
Efficient Production ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Cornell University ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Bedding Plant ◽  
Cold Tolerant ◽  
Celosia Argentea ◽  
The Impact

Energy accounts for one of the largest costs in commercial greenhouse (GH) production of annual bedding plants. Therefore, many bedding plant producers are searching for energy efficient production methods. Our objectives were to quantify the impact of growing annual bedding plants in an unheated high tunnel (HT) compared with a traditional heated GH environment at two northern latitudes. Ten popular bedding plants [angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia), vinca (Catharanthus roseus), celosia (Celosia argentea), dianthus (Dianthus chinensis), geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum), petunia (Petunia ×hybrida), french marigold (Tagetes patula), viola (Viola ×cornuta), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), and osteospermum (Osteospermum ecklonis)] were grown both in an unheated HT and a glass-glazed GH with an 18 °C temperature set point beginning on 1 Apr. 2011 at both Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) and Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN). Although seven of the species exhibited a delay in flowering in the HT as compared with the heated GH, there were no differences in days to flower (DTF) for geranium, osteospermum, and viola grown at Cornell and viola at Purdue. The remaining species exhibited delays in flowering in the HT environment, which varied based on species. At Purdue, several species were lost because of a cold temperature event necessitating a second planting. For the second planting, osteospermum was the only species grown that flowered significantly later in the HT; 7 days later than the GH-grown plants. Production of cold-tolerant annuals in unheated or minimally heated HTs appears to be a viable alternative for commercial producers aiming to reduce energy costs.

scholarly journals Influence of Substrate and Fertilizer Analysis and Rate on Growth and Quality of Five Species of Bedding Plants

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-437
Author(s):  
Timothy K. Broschat ◽  
Kimberly A. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Salvia Splendens ◽  
Bedding Plant ◽  
Influence Of Substrate ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizers

Salvia (Salvia splendens) `Red Vista' or `Purple Vista,' french marigold (Tagetes patula) `Little Hero Orange,' bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) `Better Bell,' impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) `Accent White,' and wax begonia (Begonia ×semperflorens-cultorum) `Cocktail Vodka' were grown in 0.95-L (1-qt) containers using a 5 pine bark: 4 sedge peat: 1 sand substrate (Expts. 1 and 2) or Pro Mix BX (Expt. 2 only). They were fertilized weekly with 50 mL (1.7 fl oz) of a solution containing 100, 200, or 300 mg·L-1 (ppm) of nitrogen derived from 15N-6.5P-12.5K (1N-1P2O5-1K2O ratio) or 21N-3P-11.7K (3N-1P2O5-2K2O ratio) uncoated prills used in the manufacture of controlled-release fertilizers. Plants grown with Pro Mix BX were generally larger and produced more flowers or fruit than those grown with the pine bark mix. With few exceptions, plant color, root and shoot dry weights, and number of flowers or fruit were highly correlated with fertilization rate, but not with prill type. There appears to be little reason for using the more expensive 1-1-1 ratio prills, since they generally did not improve plant quality and may increase phosphorous runoff from bedding plant nurseries.

scholarly journals 375 Low Phosphorus Controls Bedding Plant Growth

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 457B-457
Author(s):  
Douglas Cox
Keyword(s):  
Growth Control ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
P Deficiency ◽  
Commercial Media ◽  
Sphagnum Peat Moss ◽  
Bedding Plant ◽  
P Fertilizer

`Ultra Red' petunia (Petunia × hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr.), `Bonanza Orange' marigold (Tagetes patula L.), and `Marglobe' tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were fertilized with a low-P, water-soluble fertilizer to evaluate the potential of low-P nutrition to control growth. Beginning at transplanting, plants received N at 150 mg·L–1 fertilizer solutions twice a week until finish from 20N–4.3P–16.6K continuously (control), 20N–0P–16.6K continuously, or four or six applications of 20N–0P–16.6K followed by 20N–4.3P–16.6K to finish. Growth media were two commercial soilless substrates (Fafard 3B and Metro Mix 360), and a 2 sphagnum peat moss: 1 perlite: 1 vermiculite combination (v/v) containing no starter or granular P fertilizer. All species in the 2:1:1 growth medium responded to low P treatments with significant growth reductions. In the commercial media, presumably due to the presence of a P-containing starter fertilizer, there were no visible effects of low P on the size of ornamental species and only small reductions in the measured growth characteristics compared to the control. Tomato growth, however, was significantly reduced by low P treatments in both commercial media. This research suggests that the P requirement of some ornamental bedding species is very low and that to use low P for growth control, plants must be grown in a substrate containing no P fertilizer. Under these conditions, four or six applications of 20N–0P–16.6K followed by 20N–4.3P–16.6K to finish resulted in desirable growth reductions and no P deficiency symptoms.

scholarly journals Evaluation of an Energy Storage Module as the Primary Heat Source for Greenhouse Production of Bedding Plants

1994 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Merritt ◽  
K.C. Ting
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Storage Unit ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Energy Storage Unit ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Change Material

A phase change material (PCM) energy storage unit operating in a greenhouse from 29 Oct. through 21 Dec. 1992 cooled it on the average 1.7C in the day and warmed it 2.2C at night due to both sensible and latent heat absorbed, released, and circulated. Tagetes patula `Mighty Marietta' and `Early Queen Sophia' marigolds and Viola × Wittrockiana `Yellow Blotch' and `Blue Blotch' pansies were grown in a PCM and a control (no PCM) greenhouse. Temperatures went below 0C 10 days in the control greenhouse and 4 days in the PCM greenhouse. The lowest temperature of -7.8C killed the marigolds in the control greenhouse. Neither marigolds nor pansies were killed in the PCM greenhouse, which attained a low temperature of -3.3C. On 4 Dec., plants were destructively harvested. Morphologically the marigolds were taller, and had more leaf area and dry matter when grown in the PCM greenhouse as compared to the control, but pansies were taller, and had more leaf area and dry matter when grown in the control greenhouse, as compared to the PCM greenhouse.

scholarly journals Short-term Temperature Change Affects the Carbon Exchange Characteristics and Growth of Four Bedding Plant Species

2003 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc W. van Iersel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Dark Respiration ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Bedding Plant ◽  
Wide Range

Bedding plants are exposed to a wide range of environmental conditions, both during production and in the landscape. This research compared the effect of short-term temperature changes on the CO2 exchange rates of four popular bedding plants species. Net photosynthesis (Pnet) and dark respiration (Rdark) of geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum L.H. Bail.), marigold (Tagetes patula L.), pansy (Viola ×wittrockiana Gams.), and petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr.) were measured at temperatures ranging from 8 to 38 °C (for Pnet) and 6 to 36 °C (for Rdark). Net photosynthesis of all species was maximal at 14 to 15 °C, while Rdark of all four species increased exponentially with increasing temperature. Gross photosynthesis (Pgross) was estimated as the sum of Pnet and Rdark, and was greater for petunia than for the other three species. Gross photosynthesis was less sensitive to temperature than either Pnet or Rdark, suggesting that temperature effects on Pnet were caused mainly by increased respiration at higher temperatures. Gas exchange-temperature response curves were not useful in determining the heat tolerance of these species. There were significant differences among species in the estimated Rdark at 0 °C and the Q10 for Rdark. Differences in the Q10 for Rdark were related to growth rate and plant size. Large plants had a greater Q10 for Rdark, apparently because these plants had a higher ratio of maintenance to growth respiration than small plants. The Q10 of the maintenance respiration coefficient was estimated from the correlation between the Q10 and relative growth rate, and was found to be 2.5 to 2.6.

scholarly journals Improvement of Plant Stress Resistance with Low Phosphorus

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 674d-674
Author(s):  
Kristian Borch ◽  
Kathleen B. Evensen ◽  
Jonathan Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Small Volume ◽  
Aluminum Toxicity ◽  
Plant Stress ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Fertilization Program ◽  
P Deficiency ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Low Phosphorus ◽  
P Desorption

Impatiens (Impatiens × hybrida `Impulse Orange'), and marigold (Tagetes × hybrida `Janie Tangerine') plants grown under low phosphorus were more resistant to drought stress than plants grown with a conventional, high-P fertilization program. Low concentrations of P were supplied using alumina-buffered P incorporated into the peat media. Alumina was charged with two levels of P, giving two levels of P-desorption. The alumina-buffered P amendment amounted to 2% by volume of the medium. Control plants (high-P treatment) were fertilized with a nutrient solution containing a P concentration of 1.5 mm. Phosphorous leaching was reduced by 96% to 99.4% in the low-P treatments compared with controls. Low-P plants showed no signs of P deficiency or aluminum toxicity. Impatiens plant diameter was significantly reduced by low-P fertilization, and leaf area was reduced by low P in both species. In marigold plants, roots were confined to a small volume beneath the drip tube in high-P plants, while in low-P plants they were well distributed through the medium. Impatiens roots showed no obvious differences in root distribution. Plants at the marketing stage were exposed to drought. The low-P plants of both species wilted more slowly and recovered more quickly when irrigated than the high-P controls. The reduced leaf area on the low-P plants may account for the improvement in drought tolerance.

Growth of Ornamental Plants in Compacted Soils in Relation to Root Growth under Low Oxygen and High Atmospheric Pressure

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 479d-479
Author(s):  
Michael Knee ◽  
Ruth Brake
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Root Elongation ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Compacted Soils ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Physical Resistance ◽  
High Atmospheric Pressure

In urban situations, particularly after construction, herbaceous ornamentals may be planted into soils that are compacted or have poor structure so that plant roots may encounter poor aeration or physical resistance. Low oxygen concentrations may be the most important aspect of poor aeration and are readily reproduced in the laboratory. High atmospheric pressure might be used to screen for the ability to grow against physical resistance. We tested the suggestion that “native” plants would grow better in compacted soils than typical bedding plants and for differences in tolerance to low oxygen or high pressure. Plants were grown from seed in the greenhouse at four levels of compaction in peat-based medium and in field soil. Shoot dry weights of the native plants Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea purpurea, and Schizachyrium scoparius, were less affected by growth in compacted soil or peat medium than those of the bedding plants, Antirrhinum majus, Gypsophila elegans, Impatiens balsamina, Tagetes patula and Zinnia elegans. The oxygen content of media declined with compaction to a minimum of 10 kPa. Half maximal root elongation was observed at 1 to 3 kPa oxygen for most species without any separation between the groups. A presure of 1100 kPa reduced root elongation of the bedding plants by 50 to 70% but only 5 to 20% for the native plants.

Phosphorus Fertilization in Ebb and Flow Production of Bedding Plants

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 523b-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin James ◽  
Marc van Iersel
Keyword(s):  
Dry Mass ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Nutrient Runoff ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Bedding Plant ◽  
Ebb And Flow

The quantity and quality of available water in the Southeastern United States continues to decline as demands on limited resources increase. Growers will soon be forced to comply with legal limitations on water consumption and limits on nutrient runoff from their operations. A lack of information on standard growing practices using alternative irrigation systems such as ebb and flow is hindering their acceptance and implementation. We are currently conducting a series of experiments to establish basic growing guidelines for the use of ebb and flow in the greenhouse in bedding plant production. In the third of these experiments, Petunia × hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr. `Blue Frost' and Begonia × hiemalis Fotsch. `Ambassador Scarlet' were grown for 5 weeks on ebb and flow tables with fertigation solutions (225 ppm N) containing three different levels of phosphorus (0, 50, and 100 ppm). Three soilless media were also used, which varied in their percentage content of vermiculite, perlite, pine bark and coconut coir. For both the begonias and petunias dry mass of the shoot was greatest in plants grown with higher levels of phosphorus. In comparison to plants grown with 0 ppm phosphorous, petunias and begonias grown with 50 or 100 ppm P were 44% and 25% greater in mass, respectively. However, begonias had 38% more flowers when fertigated with the higher levels of phosphorous while petunias flowered earlier with 0 ppm P fertigation solution. The electrical conductivity of the media did not change significantly over the course of the growing period, but the pH dropped by an average of 1 over the same time interval.

scholarly journals Effects of Depolymerized Gellan with Different Molecular Weights on the Growth of Four Bedding Plant Species

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Piotr Salachna
Keyword(s):  
Plant Production ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Growth Promoters ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Rudbeckia Hirta ◽  
Salvia Splendens ◽  
Bedding Plant ◽  
Plant Growth Promoters ◽  
Derivatives Of

New solutions allowing for the shortening of the growing cycle and improvements in plant quality are constantly sought in order to improve the efficiency of bedding plant production under covers. Biodegradable polysaccharides and their derivatives have become increasingly popular in horticulture as plant growth promoters. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of depolymerized gellan of different molecular weights (MW 56 kDa and 77 kDa) on the growth and physiological parameters of ornamental bedding plants Rudbeckia hirta L., Salvia splendens Sellow ex J.A. Schultes, Scabiosa atropurpurea L., and Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S.F. Blake. The results showed that the application of depolymerized gellan accelerated flowering and stimulated the growth of all assessed species, regardless of MW. The plants treated with depolymerized gellan grew higher and had greater fresh weight of their above-ground parts, higher leaf relative chlorophyll content (SPAD; soil and plant analysis development), and higher stomatal conductance (gs). The use of 56 kDa gellan fraction resulted in the formation of inflorescences with the greatest fresh weight in S. atropurpurea. Leaves of R. hirta treated with this fraction showed the highest values of SPAD and gs. This study demonstrated that gellan derivatives of low MW may be used for the production of innovative plant biostimulants.

scholarly journals Fertilizer Formulation and Method of Application Influence Bedding Plant Growth and Nitrogen Leaching in Urban Landscapes

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-213
Author(s):  
James E. Altland ◽  
Charles H. Gilliam ◽  
James H. Edwards ◽  
Gary J. Keever ◽  
Donna C. Fare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Immediate Release ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Chicken Manure ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Bedding Plant ◽  
Industry Practice

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate fertilizer formulation, method of application, and frequency of application on growth of landscape bedding plants and nitrogen (N) leaching. In the first experiment, ‘Peppermint Cooler’ vinca (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don ‘Peppermint Cooler’), ‘Bonanza Yellow’ marigold (Tagetes patula L. ‘Bonanza Yellow’), and ‘Hawaii Blue’ ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum Mill. ‘Hawaii Blue’) were planted in raised beds. Four inorganic fertilizer formulations used included 13N–5.6P–10.9K (13–13–13) and 15N–0P–12.6K (15–0–15) granular water soluble (GWS) fertilizers, Osmocote 14N–6.0P–11.6K (14–14–14) (3 to 4 month release) controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), and Osmocote 17N–3.0P–10.1K (17–7–12) (12 to 14 month release) CRF. Each fertilizer was applied at a rate of 4.9 g N/m2 (1 lb N/1000 ft2) either incorporated into the top 10.2 cm (4 in) pre-plant or topdressed postplant. Additional treatments included an industry practice of incorporating 13N–5.6P–10.9K (13–13–13) pre-plant and topdressing 17N–3.0P–10.1K (17–7–12) post-plant; and a pre-plant incorporation of an organically-based fertilizer composed of recycled newspaper amended with chicken manure (caged layer manure). In Expt. 2, a similar experimental setup was used with ‘Peppermint Cooler’ vinca, ‘Red Vista’ salvia (Salvia splendens F. Sellow ex Roem. & Schult. ‘Red Vista’), and ‘Strata’ salvia (Salvia farinacea Benth. ‘Strata’). Inorganic fertilizers were applied in either single or multiple applications. Inorganic fertilizers included 15N–0P–12.6K (15–0–15) GWS fertilizer, Osmocote 14N–6.0P–11.6K (14–14–14) CRF, and Osmocote 17N–3.0P–10.1K (17–7–12) CRF. Three organically-based fertilizers were applied pre-plant and were composed of recycled newspaper amended with either chicken, beef cattle, or dairy cow animal manures. Summarizing across both experiments, plants treated with GWS fertilizers appeared to benefit with improved foliar color from immediate release of nutrients, while those treated with CRFs required at least 4 weeks to achieve dark foliar color. Nutrient leaching below plant roots was greater for GWS compared to CRFs. The industry practice treatment provided some improved plant growth in both experiments; however, it also caused initially high levels of soil-water-N (SWN) in Expt. 1. The organically-based fertilizer resulted in larger, more attractive (higher foliar color ratings) plants than inorganic fertilizers, though it also resulted in the highest levels of SWN compared to all other treatments.

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