scholarly journals Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) as a Substrate Component Effects Growth of Three Tree Species

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-194
Author(s):  
Zachariah W. Starr ◽  
Cheryl R. Boyer ◽  
Jason J. Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Juniperus Virginiana ◽  
Hammer Mill ◽  
Eastern Redcedar ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Sustainable and local alternative substrates are being explored for nursery crop production due to concern over pine bark (PB) supplies and costs. This study evaluated a tree species which is weedy in the Great Plains region of the United States, eastern redcedar, processed through a hammer mill equipped with a 19 mm (3/4 in) screen size to create six substrates consisting of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80% eastern redcedar chips (ERC) and 20% sand; the remaining volume was composed of PB. Each of these substrates were then used to grow baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis), and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) under two fertilizer rates: either a 4.5 kg·m−3 (7.5 lbs·yd−3) low fertilizer rate or a 8.9 kg·m−3 (15 lbs·yd−3) high fertilizer rate. Substrates composed of 40 and 80% ERC had reduced container capacity, resulting in less growth of all three species. Plants responded similarly to both fertilizer rates suggesting that the limiting factor to plant growth is substrate physical properties. Plants grown in 5–20% ERC were of comparable size and quality to those grown in the control substrate. Therefore, ERC can be recommended as a PB substrate supplement, but not as a full replacement at this time.

scholarly journals Post Harvest Processing of Eastern Redcedar and Hedge-Apple Substrates Affect Nursery Crop Growth

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13
Author(s):  
Zachariah W. Starr ◽  
Cheryl R. Boyer ◽  
Jason J. Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Juniperus Virginiana ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Eastern Redcedar ◽  
Industry Standard

Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) could be a viable container substrate for nursery crop production. It is a local, sustainable resource in regions distant from timber production areas where pine bark (PB) is processed. However, eastern redcedar chips (ERC) as a substrate have been associated with decreased container capacity and increased air space. Manipulating particle size could result in a substrate comparable to the current PB industry standard. Additionally, hedge-apple [Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid.], a common species found in the Great Plains region of the United States, could also be used as a resource for substrate construction. This study evaluated four particle sizes, 4.8, 9.5, 12.7, and 19.1 mm (3/16, ⅜, ½, and ¾ in) ERC and hedge-apple chips (HAC), and compared them to a PB control in the production of 5 plant species. Plants grown in both ERC and HAC showed few differences in growth based on substrate particle size; when growth was affected, plants grown in 4.8 mm (3/16 in) and 9.5 mm (⅜ in) particle sizes were larger than those grown in coarser 12.7 mm (½ in) and 19.1 mm (¾ in) material. However, both ERC and HAC often produced smaller plants compared to those grown in PB. Results of this study demonstrate that ERC and HAC can be viable substrates or substrate components for some plant species when the trees are processed to small particle sizes, particularly if small plants are an acceptable tradeoff for lower overhead costs.

scholarly journals Management Practices of Growers Using High Tunnels in the Central Great Plains of the United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon J.B. Knewtson ◽  
Edward E. Carey ◽  
M.B. Kirkham
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Spinacia Oleracea ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
The United States ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Leafy Greens ◽  
High Tunnels

A survey was conducted of 81 growers managing 185 high tunnels in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa to collect information about their high tunnel management practices. The survey was administered from 2005 to 2007 using internet-based and written forms. The average respondent had 4 years of high tunnel experience. The oldest tunnel still in use was 15 years old. Twenty-five percent of respondents grew crops in their high tunnels year-round. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), pepper (Capsicum spp.), leafy greens, and flowers were the most common crops. Organic soil amendments were used exclusively by 35% of growers, and in combination with conventional fertilizers by an additional 50% of growers. The summary of management practices is of interest to growers and the industries and university research and extension scientists who serve them. Growers typically reported satisfaction with their high tunnels. Growers with more than one high tunnel had often added tunnels following the success of crop production in an initial tunnel. Labor for crop maintenance was the main limiting factor reported by growers as preventing expanded high tunnel production.

scholarly journals Horticultural Uses of Municipal Solid Waste Composts

1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl J. Rosen ◽  
Thomas R. Halbach ◽  
Bert T. Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Horticultural Crop ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Msw Compost ◽  
Fecal Pathogens ◽  
End Use

Composting of municipal solid waste (MSW) has received renewed attention as a result of increasing waste disposal costs and the environmental concerns associated with using landfills. Sixteen MSW composting facilities are currently operating in the United States, with many more in the advanced stages of planning. A targeted end use of the compost is for horticultural crop production. At the present time, quality standards for MSW composts are lacking and need to be established. Elevated heavy metal concentrations in MSW compost have been reported; however, through proper sorting and recycling prior to composting, contamination by heavy metals can be reduced. Guidelines for safe metal concentrations and fecal pathogens in compost, based on sewage sludge research, are presented. The compost has been shown to be useful in horticultural crop production by improving soil physical properties, such as lowering bulk density and increasing water-holding capacity. The compost can supply essential nutrients to a limited extent; however, supplemental fertilizer, particularly N, is usually required. The compost has been used successfully as a sphagnum peat substitute for container media and as a seedbed for turf production. High soluble salts and B, often leading to phytotoxicity, are problems associated with the use of MSW compost. The primary limiting factor for the general use of MSW compost in horticultural crop production at present is the lack of consistent, high-quality compost.

scholarly journals Effect of Fertilizer Rate on Growth of Azalea and Holly in Pine Bark and Pine Tree Substrates

HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1561-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. Jackson ◽  
Robert D. Wright ◽  
Jake F. Browder ◽  
J. Roger Harris ◽  
Alex X. Niemiera
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Hammer Mill ◽  
Flux Chamber ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Delaware Valley ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Pine Trees

Recent interest in the use of wood substrates in horticulture crop production has justified the need for determining fertilizer requirements in these substrates compared with traditional pine bark (PB) and peatmoss substrates. The objective was to determine the response of japanese holly (Ilex crenata Thunb. ‘Compacta’) and azalea (Rhododendron obtusum Planck. ‘Delaware Valley’) grown in a pine tree substrate (PTS) (trade name WoodGro™) or milled PB to fertilizer rate. Pine tree substrate is produced from freshly harvested loblolly pine trees (Pinus taeda L.) that are delimbed, chipped, and ground in a hammer mill to a desired particle size. Japanese holly plants were grown in 2.8-L containers in the fall of 2005 and again in the spring of 2007 with the addition of azalea. Plants grown in PTS or PB were fertilized by incorporating Osmocote Plus fertilizer (15N–3.9P–10K) at rates of 3.5, 5.9, 8.3 or 10.6 kg·m−3 for japanese holly and 1.2, 3.5, 5.9, or 8.3 kg·m−3 for azalea. After 3 months, shoot dry weights were determined for japanese holly and azalea. Japanese holly root dry weights were determined for both experiments, and substrate CO2 efflux (μmol CO2 m−2·s−1) was measured on the treatments at the end of the experiment using a LI-6400 soil CO2 flux chamber. In 2005, japanese holly shoot dry weights of PTS-grown plants were comparable to plants grown in PB at the 8.3 kg·m−3 fertility rate, and shoot dry weights of PTS-grown plants were higher than PB at the 10.6 kg·m−3 rate. In 2007, japanese holly and azalea shoot dry weights of PTS-grown plants were comparable to PB plants at the 5.9 kg·m−3 fertilizer rate. Both japanese holly and azalea achieved shoot growth in PTS comparable to shoot growth in PB with ≈2.4 kg·m−3 additional fertilizer for PTS. Substrate CO2 efflux rates were higher in PTS compared with PB indicating higher microbial activity, thereby increasing the potential for nutrient immobilization in PTS.

scholarly journals Impact of Pruning Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L. Schmidt ◽  
Tom D. Wardle
Keyword(s):  
South Dakota ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Juniperus Virginiana ◽  
Eastern Redcedar ◽  
Total Height ◽  
Forest Industries ◽  
Future Utilization

Abstract In recent years, eastern redcedar has been the most rapidly expanding tree resource in the Great Plains from Oklahoma to South Dakota, primarily in rangelands and pastures. Based on these increases and potential management-related problems, eastern redcedar is perceived as a threat to the rangeland resource. Pruning eastern redcedar can allow for increased herbaceous growth under the eastern redcedar's crown, improve livestock handling, maintain the species for diversity and habitat contributions, and improve wood quality for potential future utilization by forest industries. To determine the effect of pruning to different heights on tree growth, we compared unpruned trees' total height and diameter to trees pruned from ground level to heights of 60, 90, 120, and 150 cm. No significant differences in the total height were found for all pruning treatments over all time periods. After more than 10 yr, trees pruned to 60, 90, and 120 cm had smaller diameters at ground level than unpruned trees. There were no differences in ground diameters for trees pruned to 150 cm compared to unpruned trees after 4 yr of growth. There were no significant differences in dbh for eastern redcedar trees pruned to all heights. Management of eastern redcedar, including pruning, is recommended as an alternative to control measures. West. J. Appl. For. 17(4):189–193.

Biohydrologic effects of eastern redcedar encroachment into grassland, Oklahoma, USA

Biologia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Wine ◽  
Jan Hendrickx
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Woody Encroachment ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Juniperus Virginiana ◽  
Eastern Redcedar ◽  
Deep Drainage ◽  
Southern Great Plains ◽  
The Usa

AbstractWoody encroachment affects the biohydrology of rangelands worldwide and can increase evapotranspiration by increasing plant rooting depth, increasing the duration of the growing season, or by initiating a process of hydrologic recovery in formerly overgrazed landscapes. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) is encroaching rapidly into rangelands in the Southern Great Plains of the USA, and beyond, including Oklahoma. However, the degree to which increasing growing season duration causes higher evapotranspiration after encroachment is not known. Here we show that increasing the duration of the growing season in north-central Oklahoma’s water-limited climate from seven months (April–October) to 12 months increases modeled evapotranspiration only marginally, from 95% to 97% of precipitation. However, this increase in evapotranspiration with woody encroachment into grassland corresponded to a two-thirds reduction in deep drainage. This study’s estimate of the hydrologic effects of eastern redcedar encroachment is likely to be highly conservative because it does not take into account the runoff-inducing effects of livestock grazing. Comparing simulated hydrologic fluxes in the present study to past work measuring runoff from grazinglands suggests that eastern redcedar encroachment into overgrazed rangelands is likely to increase evapotranspiration significantly. Whether or not eastern redcedar encroachment effects on evapotranspiration are discernable at the watershed scale will depend on the extent of encroachment throughout the watershed. Further research is necessary to quantify how the hydrologic effects of eastern redcedar encroachment vary due to climatic gradient.

scholarly journals Productivity of Cotton as Affected by Tillage Practices, Fertilizer Rates and Intercropping Systems in the Guinea Savannah Agroecology, Ghana

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Philip Ghanney ◽  
Joseph Xorse Kugbe ◽  
Benjamin Kongyeli Badii ◽  
Daniel Asomning Odoom
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Ecological Zone ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Fertilizer Application Rate ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Extensive areas of bare, compacted, and nutrient-poor soils hinder crop production in the Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological zone of Ghana. Resolving this challenge can be effected by developing sustainable land management strategies that can adequately improve soil nutrient status and enhance crop yield. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the productivity of cotton as affected by tillage practices, fertilizer rates and intercropping systems in the Guinea Savanna agroecology of Ghana, during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. Treatments consisted of 2 tillage practices (ploughing and direct seeding [sole cotton]), 2 fertilizer application rates (54-30-30 kg/ha NPK and 0-0-0 kg/ha NPK) and 3 intercropping systems (sole cotton, cowpea intercrop and soybean intercrop) which were laid in split-split plot design with three replications. The tillage practices, fertilizer rates and the intercropping systems were respectively allocated as the main plot, sub-plot and sub-sub plot treatment respectively. Unlike the three-way interaction effect which did not significantly influence variation in growth, yield and yield components of cotton, the two-way interaction  and the single factors were however influential. The combined impact of the NPK fertilizer application rate at 54-30-30 kg/ha and ploughing resulted in higher seed yield of cotton. Comparatively, seed yield of cotton was 35.78% higher when 54-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate (1.29 t/ha) was applied compared with 0-0-0 kg/ha fertilizer rate (0.61 t/ha). It is however recommended that resource-poor farmers in the Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zone of Ghana adopt to the use of 54-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and ploughing for cotton seed yield maximization.

scholarly journals Polycultural Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) as Affected by Tillage Practices, Fertilizer Rates and Intercropping Systems in the Guinea Savannah Agroecology, Ghana

2020 ◽  
pp. 10-22
Author(s):  
Philip Ghanney ◽  
Joseph Xorse Kugbe ◽  
Benjamin Kongyeli Badii
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Profit Maximization ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Soil impoverishment remains a major constraint to food crop production in the Guinea Savanna agroecology of Ghana. Most soils identified in this ecology are fragile and deficient in nutrients due to inappropriate management practices. To resolve this challenge, field studies were conducted to assess the polycultural productivity of maize as affected by tillage practices, fertilizer rates and intercropping systems. The study was however conducted in two cropping seasons (2016 and 2017) at Yagaba in the Mamprugu Moaduri District of Northern Ghana. Treatments consisting of 2 tillage practices (direct seeding and ploughing), 2 fertilizer application rates (zero rate [0-0-0 kg/ha NPK] and recommended rate [60-30-30 kg/ha NPK]) and 3 intercropping systems (sole maize, cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L. Walp] and soybean [Glycine max L.]) were factorially examined in three replications using randomized complete block design. Although the maize responded differently to the varied treatments, its exposure to ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean intercropping system were in general influential in enhancing vegetative growth, yield and yield components. The responsiveness of maize to ploughing and 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate increased grain yield by 8.60% and 37.68%, respectively than their untreated controls. Regardless of not directly supplying the intercrops with the inorganic fertilizer, nodulation count and effectiveness of cowpea and soybean were improved under ploughed fields treated with 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate. The combined impact of ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean integration resulted in higher profit returns. Hence, this study recommends to small-holder farmers in the Guinea Savannah agroecology of Ghana to adapt to the implementation of ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean intercropping system for yield improvement and profit maximization.

scholarly journals Production and Landscape Establishment of Nursery Crops in Eastern Redcedar-Amended Substrates

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-83
Author(s):  
Travis R. Carmichael ◽  
Cheryl R. Boyer ◽  
Jason J. Griffin ◽  
Stuart L. Warren ◽  
Catherine C. Lavis
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Miscanthus Sinensis ◽  
Juniperus Virginiana ◽  
Eastern Redcedar ◽  
Production Phase ◽  
Nursery Crops ◽  
Landscape Establishment

Substrate material used for the purpose of growing ornamental plants in the Great Plains is generally shipped a significant distance, primarily from the Southeastern United States. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana; ERC) chips have been identified as a possible alternative to pine bark (PB) for nursery substrates. Landscape establishment of Ulmus parvifolia ‘Emer II’ (elm), Rosa ‘Radtkopink’ (rose), Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’ (holly), Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Kitten’ (maiden grass), Gaillardia ×grandiflora (blanket flower), Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’ (sedum), Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ (hosta), and Hemerocallis ‘Charles Johnston’ (daylily) plants were grown in three substrate mixes. Substrate mixes were composed of 80:20 PB:sand (PBS), 40:40:20 PB:ERC:sand (PBERCS) or 80:20 ERC:sand (ERCS) (by vol). The study was split into production and landscape phases. During the production phase, pH and EC were among the parameters measured. For both phases of the study, growth index (GI), SPAD, caliper and shoot- and root dry weight were measured. At the end of the production phase, differences in growth were observed in elm, holly, and maiden grass where substrates containing PB or a mixture of PB:ERC resulted in greater growth over a primarily ERC-based substrate. Sedum also exhibited growth differences, with plants growing larger in ERCS as a production substrate. At the conclusion of the landscape establishment phase, there were no observed differences in growth for tested species with the exception of holly and hosta which grew best if produced in PBS and/or PBERCS prior to transplanting based on shoot- and root dry weights as well as GI on most evaluation dates. The majority of species in this study overcame any growth shortages present at the end of production within the first growing season in the landscape. Therefore, ERC is a viable substrate option for producing and planting many nursery crops, though it is advisable for each nursery to evaluate their particular crops for production in alternative substrates.

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