Consequences of Excessive Overhead Irrigation on Runoff during Container Production of Sweet Viburnum

Million, Jeff B.; Yeager, Thomas H.; Albano, Joseph P.

doi:10.24266/0738-2898-25.3.117

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Container nurseries have been estimated to consume upwards of 178 m 3 of water per hectare per day during peak growing season [3]. This excess of applied water leads to increased runoff or leaching of applied agrichemicals such as mineral nutrients [4] and pesticides [5]. In the near future, more Agronomy 2021, 11, 1454 2 of 15 efficient practices will need to be developed to ensure a sustainable future for and the long-term success of the container nursery industry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substrate Stratification: Layering Unique Substrates within a Container Increases Resource Efficiency without Impacting Growth of Shrub Rose

2021

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Nurseries rely on soilless substrates to provide suitable growing media for container grown crops. These soilless substrates have been developed to readily drain water to prevent issues with waterlogging and associated soil-borne disease. A negative consequence of high porosity and subsequent drainage throughout the container profile is the required high or frequent irrigation rates with poor retention of applied nutrients. Substrates with relatively high levels of moisture and nutrient retention placed on top of a coarse and freely draining substrate could further optimize water and nutrient retention, while allowing for needed gas exchange for plant establishment and growth. Containerized Red Drift® rose (Rosa ‘Meigalpio’ PP17877) plants were grown under 16 mm or 12 mm daily irrigation, utilizing a traditional pine bark substrate or stratified substrates with either a conventional bark, bark fines, or a bark–peat mixture on top of a coarse bark within a container. The stratified substrates received 20% less controlled-release fertilizer; however, the fertilizer in the stratified treatments was concentrated in the upper strata only. During the first growing phase or season, plants grown in stratified substrates outperformed those grown in conventional, non-stratified bark substrates under normal irrigation. The stratified substrates did not reduce growth under reduced irrigation regimes. Overall, crop growth was equal or superior for stratified substrates when compared to the non-stratified controls, even with a 20% reduction of fertilizer. This research suggests that stratified substrate systems can be used to reduce fertilizer and irrigation rates while producing crops of similar or superior quality to conventionally grown containerized crops.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substrate Stratification: Layering Unique Substrates within a Container Increases Resource Efficiency without Impacting Growth of Shrub Rose

2021

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“…However, typical overhead irrigation systems for container production have relatively low irrigation efficiency (volume of water retained in substrate O volume of water applied). Water is frequently lost through spaces between pots and/or leaching from substrates, and leachate volumes increase with excessive irrigation (Bilderback, 2002;Million et al, 2007). In addition, irrigation leachate contains fertilizer and chemicals and may cause nonpoint source pollution in the environment.…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of Substrate Water Content on Morphology and Physiology of Rosemary, Canadian Columbine, and Cheddar Pink

Zhen

Burnett²,

Day³

et al. 2014

horts

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Two experiments were conducted to determine how different substrate volumetric water contents (θ equals volume of water per volume of substrate) affected morphology and physiology of three popular perennials using a capacitance sensor-automated irrigation system. In the first study, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) was grown at one of eight θ set points ranging from 0.05 to 0.40 L·L−1. In the second study, Canadian columbine (Aquilegia canadensis ‘Pink Lanterns’) and cheddar pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Bath’s Pink’) were grown at one of nine θ set points ranging from 0.05 to 0.45 L·L−1. Total leaf number and area as well as shoot fresh and dry weight of rosemary plants grown at θ of 0.20 L·L−1 or greater were approximately twice that of those grown at lower θ. Canadian columbine height increased as θ increased. Leaf area of cheddar pink grown at θ of 0.35 L·L−1 or higher was twice that of plants grown at the lowest θ. Shoot dry weight of Canadian columbine was not significantly affected by θ. Shoot dry weight of cheddar pink responded quadratically to increasing θ and peaked at θ of 0.35 L·L−1. θ also significantly influenced photosynthetic activities; net photosynthetic rate (AN) and stomatal conductance (gs) of Canadian columbine increased with increasing θ. AN of cheddar pink also increased as θ increased. Greater water volumes were applied to maintain higher θ set points. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE = shoot dry weight ÷ total amount of water applied per plant) of Canadian columbine and cheddar pink was not influenced by θ. Growth of all three plants was reduced when grown at lower θ; in the case of cheddar pink and Canadian columbine, this was attributable at least in part to reduced AN.

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“…This strategy can lead to leaching and runoff of fertilizer and pesticides from the substrate. Majsztrik et al (2011) and Million et al (2007) have shown that by reducing leaching of fertilizer from container-grown ornamentals, nurseries can reduce production costs and increase profits. Previous research has also shown that efficient irrigation systems and proper scheduling can save significant amounts of irrigation water without adversely affecting crop yield or quality in ornamental production (Bacci et al, 2008;Beeson, 2012;Fereres et al, 2003).…”

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confidence: 99%

Water Use of Hydrangea macrophylla and Gardenia jasminoides in Response to a Gradually Drying Substrate

O’Meara

Chappell

Iersel

2014

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As a result of the lack of quantitative data regarding specific water requirements of ornamental species, precision irrigation can be a difficult task for nursery growers. One challenge for growers is that it is not clear how much of the water in soilless substrates is actually available for plant uptake. Substrate moisture release curves (MRC) have been used to predict the amount of plant-available water in soilless substrates, yet there is little information about whether there are differences among species in their ability to extract water from substrates. The objectives of this study were to determine 1) the hydraulic properties of a composted pine bark substrate; and 2) how water uptake in Hydrangea macrophylla and Gardenia jasminoides was affected by decreasing substrate volumetric water content (VWC). As the substrate VWC decreased from 0.38 to 0.17 m3·m−3, substrate matric potential decreased from –4.0 to –69 kPa, whereas hydraulic conductivity decreased from 0.115 to 0.000069 cm·d−1. To measure plant water uptake in a drying substrate, growth chambers were used to provide stable environmental conditions that included continuous lighting to prevent diurnal fluctuations in water use. Water use by H. macrophylla ‘Fasan’ started to decrease at a higher VWC (0.28 m3·m−3) than G. jasminoides ‘Radicans’ (0.20 m3·m−3). Plant water uptake stopped at a VWC of 0.16 m3·m−3 in H. macrophylla and 0.12 m3·m−3 in G. jasminoides. The results show that H. macrophylla is less adept at extracting water from a drying substrate than G. jasminoides. Traditionally, plant-available water in soilless substrates has been studied using substrate MRCs. Our data suggest that substrate hydraulic conductivity may be an important factor controlling water availability to the plants. In addition, there are important differences among species that cannot be detected by only looking at substrate hydraulic properties.

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Consequences of Excessive Overhead Irrigation on Runoff during Container Production of Sweet Viburnum

Cited by 23 publications

References 20 publications

Substrate Stratification: Layering Unique Substrates within a Container Increases Resource Efficiency without Impacting Growth of Shrub Rose

Substrate Stratification: Layering Unique Substrates within a Container Increases Resource Efficiency without Impacting Growth of Shrub Rose

Effects of Substrate Water Content on Morphology and Physiology of Rosemary, Canadian Columbine, and Cheddar Pink

Water Use of Hydrangea macrophylla and Gardenia jasminoides in Response to a Gradually Drying Substrate

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