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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #253796
Title: Extending pine bark supplies with wholetree and clean chip residual substrates

Author
item MURPHY, A - Auburn University
item GILLIAM, CHARLES - Auburn University
item FAIN, GLENN - Auburn University
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item GALLAGHER, THOMAS - Auburn University
item SIBLEY, JEFF - Auburn University
item MARBLE, CHRIS - Auburn University
item Witcher, Anthony

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Horticulture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/7/2010
Publication Date: 12/15/2010
Citation: Murphy, A., Gilliam, C., Fain, G., Torbert III, H.A., Gallagher, T., Sibley, J., Marble, C., Witcher, A.L. 2010. Extending pine bark supplies with wholetree and clean chip residual substrates. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 28:217-223.

Interpretive Summary: With the recent decline of available PB supplies, and the threat of continued decline, nursery growers have begun seeking possible alternatives or amendments for their standard growing media. WholeTree substrate (WT) and clean chip residual (CCR) are two possible substrate alternatives with commercialization possibilities. This data shows that with most species, nursery producers could amend their PB with up to 75% WT or 75% CCR with limited impact on crop growth. This information will allow growers to develop plans for extending existing PB supplies with WT or CCR.

Technical Abstract: Limited supplies of pine bark (PB) due to a number of reasons over the past several years has caused concern among many nursery producers. This study was developed to evaluate varying ratios of pine bark (PB) with clean chip residual (CCR) or WholeTree substrate (WT), in order to assist growers with extending existing PB supplies. This study demonstrated that woody ornamentals grown in varying ratios of PB:WT and PB:CCR had similar growth overall to plants grown in a current nursery standard of 100% pine bark (PB). This information will allow growers to develop plans for extending existing PB supplies with WT or CCR. This process will also allow nursery producers the opportunity to become comfortable with using these alternative substrates as amendments before switching completely to 100% alternative substrates.