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Title: SPACING AND FERTILIZER APPLICATION METHOD INFLUENCE CONTAINER PLANT GROWTH AND RUNOFF

Author
item MILLION, J. - UF-IFAS GAINESVILLE
item YEAGER, T. - UF-IFAS GAINESVILLE
item Albano, Joseph

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2004
Publication Date: 7/1/2004
Citation: Million, J.B., Yeager, T.H., Albano, J.P. 2004. Spacing and fertilizer application method influence container plant growth and runoff. HortSci. v.39(4)p.818.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The influence of production practices on runoff from container nurseries was investigated in Spring 2003 (March to July) and Fall 2003 (August to January). Viburnum odoratissimum (Ker- Gawl.) liners were planted in 3.8-liter containers with a 2 pine bark: 1 sand: 1 Canadian peat substrate (volume basis) and placed on 1.5 square-meter platforms at one of two plant spacing densities: 16 or 32 plants per square-meter [spaced to 16 plants per square-meter after 13 weeks (spring) or 14 weeks (fall)]. Overhead sprinkler irrigation was applied daily (1 centimeter) and runoff collected weekly. Osmocote 18 N-2.6 P-10K was surface-applied to each container (15 grams) in the spring and surface-applied or incorporated in the fall. After 19 weeks, cumulative runoff averaged 1240 liters per square-meter (or 65 percent of applied irrigation plus rainfall) in spring and 990 liters per square-meter (or 54 percent of applied irrigation plus rainfall) in fall. The lower density spacing resulted in a 19 percent increase in cumulative runoff in spring (1340 vs. 1130 liters per square-meter) but had no effect in fall (970 vs. 890 liters per square-meter). Weighted average EC (electrical conductivity) of runoff decreased 10 percent (0.436 vs. 0.485 desisiemens per meter) and 12 percent (0.420 vs. 0.476 desisiemens per meter) with the lower density spacing in spring and fall, respectively.