Reducing Water and Pesticide Movement in Nursery Production

Abstract

<jats:p>Ornamental nurseries produce a large number of plants in a concentrated area, and aesthetics are a key component of the product. To produce crops in this manner, high inputs of water, nutrients, and pesticides are typically used. Container nursery production further increases the inputs, especially water, because container substrates are designed to quickly drain, and the most effective method of irrigating large numbers of plants in containers (up to a certain size) is the use of overhead irrigation. Because irrigation and pesticides are broadcast over the crop, and because the crop is limited to the container, a large proportion of water or pesticides may land on nontarget areas, creating runoff contaminant issues. Water is the primary means of pesticide movement in nursery production. This review discusses water and pesticide dynamics and management strategies to conserve water and reduce pesticide and water movement during container nursery production.</jats:p>

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

“…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.…”

A Comparison of Irrigation-Water Containment Methods and Management Strategies Between Two Ornamental Production Systems to Minimize Water Security Threats

“…Pesticide movement in runoff water can occur with the pesticide either dissolved in water or adsorbed to and transported by soil particles or organic matter [54]. Abdi and Fernandez [56] noted that water is the main mechanism for pesticide movement after application. Time is a critical factor in reducing pesticide movement, which allows for adsorption and degradative processes to occur.…”

“…Best management practices for irrigation and agrochemical application can be used to reduce chemical-and nutrient-laden runoff. These practices, combined with supplementary treatment systems, can further reduce agrochemicals from reaching surface waters, groundwater, or the catchment basins for water recycling [56].…”

Surveying North American Specialty Crop Growers’ Current Use of Soilless Substrates and Future Research and Education Needs

“…What goes with the water when the water leaves the pot?" Nursery runoff has received considerable attention in horticultural research, where runoff of nutrients or agrochemicals [42] can be reduced by using 'best management practices' [43], such as irrigating crops based on plant water use [44], utilizing conservative [45] or cyclical [46] irrigation scheduling, or by achieving a desired leaching fraction [47].…”