Evaluation of Captured Rainwater and Irrigation Runoff for Greenhouse Foliage and Bedding Plant Production

Abstract

<jats:p>Irrigation runoff water from a containerized landscape plant production bed was blended with rainwater from green house roofs in a constructed collection basin. Water from both the collection basin and an on-site potable well were characterized and used to grow foliage and bedding plants with overhead and ebb-and-flow irrigation systems. Over a 2-year period, a total of 18 foliage and 8 bedding plant cultivars were produced with plant growth and quality quantified. Alkalinity, electrical conductivity, hardness, and concentrations of nutrients of water from both sources were well within desired levels for greenhouse crop production. Turbidity and pH were relatively high from algal growth in the collection basin. However, substrate pH, irrigated by either water source, remained between 6 and 7 throughout the production periods. All plants at the time of finishing were of marketable sizes and salable quality independent of water source. No disease incidences or growth disorders related to water sources were observed. Results suggest that captured irrigation runoff blended with rainwater can be an alternative water source for green house crop production.</jats:p>

Effects of Prohexadione-Ca and GA4+7 on Scarf Skin and Fruit Maturity in Apple

“…Similarly, the differences between the Osmocote treatment and the other treatments would appear unlikely, because there was little variation in Mg application rates between Osmocote + Micromax, Multicote, and Nutricote ( Table 2). The Mg release/leaching characteristics and Mg concentrations ob-served in the current study are somewhat similar to other studies Chen et al, 2003;Huett, 1997;Huett and Morris, 1999) and are probably associated with (Whitcomb, 1988). Based on plant requirements for Mg (%10-15 mgÁL -1 ) that have been estimated in other studies (Mankin and Fynn, 1996;Starr and Wright, 1984;Wright, 1984), it appears that Mg availability would be sufficient for plant growth in the current production scenario during the first 30 weeks, but may becoming limiting during the later stages of the production process.…”

“…Because the substrate in the current study consisted of pine bark and wood chips, and the substrates of the greenhouse study consisted mostly of peat, it is possible that the greater amounts of Fe were immobilized in the current study than the previous study. Based on the current and previous experiments , Fe concentrations recovered in leachates were similar to other production systems (Chen et al, 2003), and in all cases Fe concentrations were always more than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guideline of 0.3 mgÁL -1 for domestic use (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1976. However, only during the first 20 weeks of the study were Fe concentrations more than 1.0 mgÁL -1 , the maximum concentration considered safe for freshwater aquatic life (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1976.…”

“…Although differences between treatments were significant, there was probably no physiological and environmental importance for the Multicote treatment effect, because the Ca concentration and ranges were low (2.5-4.7 mgÁL -1 ); however, the differences with the Osmocote treatment may be of concern because concentrations and ranges were greater (49-64 mgÁL -1 ). Overall, the Ca concentrations measured in the current study, irrespective of fertilizer type, were often two to four times greater than Ca concentrations measured in runoff from other production systems (Chen et al, 2003). From an environmental perspective, no guidelines have been established directly related to Ca concentrations.…”

Controlled-Release Fertilizers as a Means to Reduce Nitrogen Leaching and Runoff in Container-Grown Plant Production

“…Growers in Florida adopting either ebb-and-flow or capillary mat irrigation reported 20% reduction of fertilizer use and 75% reduction of water consumption in containerized plant production. Another irrigation method, which can achieve minimal runoff and less salt buildup in substrates, is to use surface irrigation systems, but to also capture, retain and recycle the runoff and stormwater within the boundaries of the production facility [43]. This is exemplified by whole greenhouse/nursery recycling system, called the total nursery recycling system.…”

Daily Evapotranspiration of Guzmania ‘Irene’ and Vriesea ‘Carly’ Bromeliads Produced in a Shaded Greenhouse

“…Agricultural use of fresh water has been under rigorous scrutiny due to irrigation, accounting for up to 62% of freshwater use, including 68% of groundwater and 29% of surface water withdrawals in the United States (Kenny et al, 2009). Containergrown plant production is an extensive water user within the realm of agriculture (Beeson, 2011;Chen et al, 2001Chen et al, , 2003. Plants are grown in confined volumes filled with artificial substrates, which are watered frequently to avoid drought stress.…”