CHARACTERIZATION AND USE OF SUBSTRATES COMPOSED OF ORGANIC WASTE IN THE PRODUCTION OF Colubrina glandulosa PERKINS SEEDLINGS

Urban organic waste has been gaining prominence in the composition of substrates, as it is a source of natural nutrients and a sustainable alternative to mitigate environmental impacts caused by improper waste disposal. The aim of this study was to characterize chemically and physically substrates based on organic waste and to evaluate the development of Colubrina glandulosa seedlings using composted urban tree pruning waste. Treatments consisted of different proportions of organic compost (CP), soil from the A horizon (SAH), aged manure (BM) and vermiculite, kept in tubes (Citropote®) with volume of 1.7 L. C/N ratio, water holding capacity (10 hPa), electrical conductivity, macroporosity, microporosity and total porosity of substrates before their use were determined. Substrate fertility analyses were carried out before and after seedling production. During the development of the seedlings, height (H) and stem diameter (SD) were measured at 60, 90 and 120 days. At 90 and 120 days, the seedlings were divided into shoots and roots to determine the dry mass of each compartment, Dickson quality index (DQI) and contents of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg). After the analysis of the results, it can be observed that the treatments with high proportions of CP had better physical characteristics, but also showed chemical limitation in the development of the seedlings. Treatments based on BM, SAH and lower proportion of CP had the highest average results for H, SD, H/SD ratio and DQI.

Study on site preparation and restoration techniques for forest restoration in mining tailings of Mariana, Brazil

Ecological restoration in forest ecosystem affected by the Fundão tailings dam failure is a national priority in Brazil. Thus, we evaluated the effects of passive and active restoration methods through different site preparation techniques by manipulating physical-chemical properties of substrates on tree community coverage in Mariana, Brazil. A total of 48 plots (12 × 12 m each) were established in two areas along the flood plains with accumulation of tailings. The following treatments were established: i) planting of native tree seedlings with fertilization and ii) without fertilization; iii) direct seeding of native trees with fertilization and iv) without fertilization; v) natural regeneration with fertilization and vi) without fertilization. Differences in substrate properties and tree community coverage were evaluated between treatments, the substrate properties and tree community coverage relationship, and main effects of substrate fertility and texture on tree community coverage. There were marked differences in substrate and plant coverage between treatments, maintaining a similar pattern in fertilizer treatments. There is a strong relationship between substrate fertility and plant community coverage, with significant positive effects. It was observed that the passive and active restoration methods can be complementary in the soil and plant community coverage recovery in the areas affected by the mining tailings in Mariana region.

Studies on Sedum taxa found in Sicily (Italy) for Mediterranean extensive green roofs

One type of green roof whose function is ecological and environmental rather than aesthetic is the extensive green roof. Many studies have shown that Sedum performs very well compared to other hardy species in substrates of less than 10 cm. It seems that Sedum species are able to survive in very thin substrates; they tolerate extreme temperatures and sudden variations in temperatures, high levels of solar radiation, strong winds, poor substrate fertility and extreme drought. In particular, this paper looks at the potential of a number of species from the Sicilian taxa of the genus Sedum (Crassulaceae), which are considered to be those xerophytes most suited for use in extensive green roof systems for Mediterranean areas. Each taxon was subject to in situ and ex situ observations to gain phenological and ecological data, information on its vegetative propagation capacity and its plant ground cover capacity. The results of this study have led to greater understanding of Sicilian pluriennal Sedum genus entities of potential use in green roof systems in the Mediterranean. The taxa respond particularly well to agamic propagation, showing characteristics suited to nursery production of green roof systems, with the exception of S. amplexicaule subsp. tenuifolium. Growth indices and plant development (ground cover) demonstrated the capacity of a number of Sedum taxa to form a uniform green mantle over time. S. sediforme and S. album subsp. album. showed interesting results, for because of their ability to colonize the substrate, and they could be fundamental in determining the plant structure of the green systems. However, there are also other plants, such as S. amplexicaule var. tenuifolium, and, to a lesser extent, S. dasyphyllum var. dasyphyllum and S. ochroleucum, which are able to contribute to floral diversification and lead to greater biodiversity in the system. These taxa could be used when creating associations of Sedum at lower percentages compared to the structuring species (≤20%).

Fertilizer Rate and Type Affect Sedum-vegetated Green Roof Mat Plant Performance and Leachate Nutrient Content

This study compared the effect of fertilizer rates and types on plant performance and leached nutrients for an installed sedum-vegetated green roof mat system. Sedum-vegetated mats in non-fertilized plots (control) were compared with plots fertilized with 16N–2.6P–10K plus Minors 5–6 month controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) at 5, 10, 15, or 20 g·m−2 nitrogen (N) or 5 g·m−2 N of a fly-larvae processed chicken manure (Sus). Plot overall appearance was among the highest for 10 g·m−2 N in Mar., May, June, and July 2012, whereas 15 and 20 g·m−2 N resulted in the highest winter injury ranking in Mar. 2012. Vegetative coverage was highest for 10 and 15 g·m−2 N in Oct. 2011 but did not differ among treatments in 2012. Sedum spp. composition within plots remained closest to the original when fertilized at 10 g·m−2 N. Of all species, S. acre flowered for the longest duration and flowered longer in 10 g·m−2 N than 15 g·m−2 N or Sus. Leaf greenness of S. acre for 5, 10, 15, and 20 g·m−2 N was higher than the control in May 2012. Leached amounts of NH4+, NO3–, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al) did not differ among treatments, and cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were not detected. All nutrients but NO3– in all plots and zinc (Zn) in the 5 g·m−2 N (CRF and Sus) and control plots were leached at levels above target nutrient loss thresholds. Among fertilizer types, Sus leached more phosphorus (P) without greater plant performance compared with 5 g·m−2 N CRF. A fertilizer rate of 10 g·m−2 N is recommended to benefit plant performance of this green roof system. However, in the first year after installation, to prevent negative environmental impacts resulting from initial substrate fertility, no fertilizer (CRF or Sus) is needed for this green roof system.

Evaluating Fertilizer Influence on Overwintering Survival and Growth of Sedum Species in a Fall-installed Green Roof

Vegetation success on green roofs in northern climates is challenged by extreme weather conditions, especially in winter, and is influenced by season of installation and substrate fertility. Appropriate fertilization with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) can reduce winter injury for some plant species. The objectives of this study were to identify both the effect of P and K fertilizer rates on Sedum spp. survival over the first winter and the response of Sedum spp. growth to fertilizer rates when applied at installation. In a fall-installed extensive green roof system, survival, growth, and visual appearance of Sedum mats in non-fertilized plots (control) were compared with plots fertilized with 16–6–13 POLYON® Homogenous NPK plus Minors 3-4 month controlled-release fertilizer at 20.0 g nitrogen (N)/m2 either alone or with additional P to total 28.8, 54.4, or 80.0 g P/m2 or K to total 32.5, 51.6, or 70.6 g K/m2. Sedum mats were installed on 8 Oct. 2010 and plants in all plots survived the winter and the next year. During the 2011 growing season, vegetative coverage was not significantly different among any individual fertilized treatments; however, vegetative coverage data combined for all fertilized treatments was larger than the control. Fertilized treatments also showed larger plant height and biomass after one year, taller S. acre and S. sexangulare inflorescences, increased leaf greenness, and higher visual appearance rankings compared with the control. For individual Sedum species, S. album showed the greatest coverage in P-fertilized treatments, and effects on S. acre and S. sexangulare were treatment-dependent. Application of a controlled-release N–P–K fertilizer, without additional P or K, can be used to encourage vegetative coverage, plant growth, leaf greenness, inflorescence height, and visual appearance in fall-installed extensive Sedum green roof systems.

Rooting Softwood Cuttings of Leyland Cypress Outdoors Under Shade

Stem cuttings of Leyland cypress [x Cupressocyparis leylandii (A.B. Jacks. & Dallim.) Dallim. & A.B. Jacks], were rooted to determine the effect of A) date of collection, rooting substrate, and mist frequency, B) auxin formulation and concentration, C) rooting substrate, D) substrate fertility, and E) type of cutting and auxin concentration. Results were best for misting intervals of 5 to 7 min during the day, but 10 min was also adequate. Rooting was comparable for softwood cuttings collected in late May or late June. Powder and liquid auxin formulations, which both contained indolebutyric acid (IBA), yielded similar results. Cuttings that were more lignified (light tan color) at the bases benefited the most from higher concentrations [≈ 8000 ppm (0.8%)] of IBA in talc, whereas less mature cuttings (green at the bases) rooted in highest percentages with lower concentrations [≈ 3000 ppm (0.3%)]. Rooting was similar in substrates with a peat:perlite ratio (v/v) of 1:1, 1:2, or 1:4, whereas results were less satisfactory in 100% perlite. Controlled release fertilizer [1.8 kg/m3 (4 lb/yd3)] in the rooting substrate did not affect rooting percent, but greatly increased root mass and quality of rooted cuttings. Doubling the rate resulted in little additional improvement. Rooting was comparable for vigorous side shoots (1st-order laterals) and tips from vigorous upright branches (primary axes) of similar maturity.

Growth and ectomycorrhizal formation of container-grown Douglas-fir seedlings inoculated with Laccariabicolor under four levels of nitrogen fertilization

Container-grown Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were inoculated at the time of sowing with a Laccariabicolor (Maire) Orton mycelial suspension produced in a fermentor. They were grown in a peat moss–vermiculite substrate under four levels of N fertilization (7.2, 14.4, 21.6, and 28.7 mg/seedling per season (N1, N2, N3, and N4, respectively)) to determine the N level suitable for both ectomycorrhizal development and seedling growth. After 18 weeks in the greenhouse, seedlings inoculated with L. bicolor had 44%, 32%, 44%, and 5% of their short roots mycorrhizal when fertilized with N1, N2, N3, and N4, respectively. Only when they were fertilized with N4 did the L. bicolor seedlings have significantly greater shoot height than the controls. For the other growth parameters, they were not significantly different from control seedlings for any of the N levels. After 18 weeks, regardless of the level of N, seedlings inoculated with L. bicolor had significantly lower N concentrations (%) and contents (mg/seedling) than the uninoculated ones. Consequently, for the same production of biomass, the mycorrhizal seedlings had taken up less N than the nonmycorrhizal ones. The efficiency of applied N, expressed in terms of produced biomass, decreased when the N fertilization increased; mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal seedlings did not tend to be different. The efficiency of the absorbed N also decreased with the level of applied N, but less rapidly, and tended to be greater for the mycorrhizal seedlings than for the nonmycorrhizal ones. Therefore, the mycorrhizal infection improved the utilization of the absorbed N. N3 was the best of the four N levels used, since it was the only one that maximized both the ectomycorrhizal formation and the growth of the seedlings. In other words, a total seedling N concentration of 1.6% and a substrate fertility of 52 ppm N are appropriate to optimize both the ectomycorrhizal development and the growth of Douglas-fir seedlings.