Response of Container-grown Ninebark to Crude and Nutrient-enriched Recirculating Compost Leachates

Abstract

<jats:p>Ninebark [<jats:italic>Physocarpus opulifolius</jats:italic> (L.) Maxim] was grown on troughs under greenhouse conditions in 2.5-L containers filled with 100% composted pine bark and fertigated with drip irrigation using the following nutrient solutions: 1) a complete (control) solution, electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.75 dS·m<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>, nonrecirculated; 2) solution as in treatment 1 but recirculated; 3) unamended municipal solid waste compost (MSW) leachate, EC 1.75 dS·m<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>, recirculated; 4) solution as in treatment 3 amended in order of priority with NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-N, NH<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>-N, P, K, Ca and/or Mg, to match the concentrations in the complete solution, EC 2.60 dS·m<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>, recirculated; 5) unamended turkey litter compost (TLC) leachate, EC 1.75 dS·m<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>, recirculated; and 6) solution as in treatment 5 amended as in treatment 4, EC 2.40 dS·m<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>, recirculated. Among the four recirculated compost leachate treatments, shoot (stems and leaves) dry weight of ninebark was least with the unamended MSW, intermediate with amended MSW, and greatest but similar with both unamended and amended TLC. The most growth occurred with the recirculated control solution. Among the four leachate treatments, ninebark grew acceptably well only with recirculated unamended TLC, and was similar to that with the nonrecirculated control solution. Three treatments (nonrecirculated control, recirculated control and unamended TLC) showed no nutrient toxicity or deficiency symptoms. Poorer growth responses in the other treatments (amended TLC, amended MSW and unamended MSW) were related primarily to excess salts and/or nutritional disorders due to imbalance(s) in one or more nutrients.</jats:p>

Nitrification of leachates from manure composting under field conditions and their use in horticulture

“…The pH and EC of the nitrified effluents were relatively high in comparison to the values of the standard nutritive solution FERT. Alkalinity (including bicarbonates) was lower than 420 mg CaCO 3 L À1 , and thus similar to the values proposed by Gils et al (2005) in nutritive solutions with moderate acidity. Concerning other elements, concentrations could be lower (e.g., P), similar (e.g., Mg), or higher (e.g., K, Na, Cl, and Ca) than in the reference solution FERT (Table 2) depending on the particular case.…”

“…(Gils et al, 2005) (Table 2). On the other hand, NO 3 À content in leaves was higher when applying nitrified effluents from leachate C than when applying nitrified effluents from leachate P (Table 4).…”

“…can favor such reuse (Gutiérrez-Miceli et al, 2008;Zhou et al, 2010). On the other hand, the main deterrents against using composting leachate in plant cultivation are nutrient imbalances, high salinity, and variability in the physiological response depending on the particular crop (Chong et al, 2008;Gils et al, 2005). Concerning the edible horticulture, the study of heavy metals and nutrient uptake as well as the translocation of undesirable substances to the plant is mandatory in order to assure not transferring these elements into the food chain (Al-Lahham et al, 2007).…”

Recycled Liquid Cattle Manure as a Sole Fertilizer Source for Growing Container Nursery Stock in a Closed System

“…This evidence may be indicative of nitrogen loss resulting from denitrification and volatil-ization to N 2 or N 2 O gases from the LCM treatments [D. Speranzini, Nutrient Management Program Lead (Hort) Not withstanding what has been described previously, plants showed accelerated growth in the three fertigated solutions attaining marketable size within 10 weeks. Better growth in the two LCM solutions versus control may be the result of the presence of growth-stimulating substances in the LCM (Atiyeh et al, 2001) and/or the regressive effect of the greater accumulation of chlorine in the control solution (Table 1) (Gils et al, 2005). Poorer growth responses with CRF ( Fig.…”

“…Solutions in the LCM tanks were recharged manually at weekly intervals (i.e., when storage tank volumes were depleted 300 L or less and EC reduced 1.5 dSÁm -1 or less). The recharge procedure was facilitated using a predictive equation modified from Gils et al (2005)…”