Author
|
Submitted to: Digger
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2013 Publication Date: 12/1/2013 Citation: Scagel, C.F. 2013. Protecting against cold damage. Digger. p. 33-36. Interpretive Summary: Fertilizer application rates, nutrient source or type, method of application, and timing of application can differentially influence plant nutrient status therefore have implications to plant quality in terms of their ability to tolerate stresses (e.g. disease, drought, cold, salinity). Unpredictable factors, such as winter injury, that decrease quality of nursery plants have a large impact on profitability of nursery systems. Winter temperatures in many nursery production areas in Oregon are generally mild compared to our mid-west and east coast counter parts. Our mild climate has many benefits to the Oregon nursery industry but it can also lead to unforeseen crop losses related cold injury or damage, particularly with container grown plants. By mid-winter, many Oregon nurseries have already spent considerable time and expense to protect plants from winter damage that usually occurs sometime between Thanksgiving Day and Valentine’s Day. Oregon nurseries routinely use several strategies to protect their plants from winter weather. And every year cold temperatures and desiccation still damages or kills nursery plants. Crop losses from winter injury is an ongoing challenge for Oregon nursery growers. Reviewing winter protection strategies each year before the start of the growing season may not help this year, but may increase the number of options available for minimizing winter injury next year. Plant nutrient management is an often overlooked culprit that contributes to winter cold injury. This article summarizes how plant nutrition is linked to winter injury, and how nutrient management in nursery production systems may be an overlooked cause of winter injury. Technical Abstract: Fertilizer application rates, nutrient source or type, method of application, and timing of application can differentially influence plant nutrient status therefore have implications to plant quality in terms of their ability to tolerate stresses (e.g. disease, drought, cold, salinity). Unpredictable factors, such as winter injury, that decrease quality of nursery plants have a large impact on profitability of nursery systems. Winter temperatures in many nursery production areas in Oregon are generally mild compared to our mid-west and east coast counter parts. Our mild climate has many benefits to the Oregon nursery industry but it can also lead to unforeseen crop losses related cold injury or damage, particularly with container grown plants. By mid-winter, many Oregon nurseries have already spent considerable time and expense to protect plants from winter damage that usually occurs sometime between Thanksgiving Day and Valentine’s Day. Oregon nurseries routinely use several strategies to protect their plants from winter weather. And every year cold temperatures and desiccation still damages or kills nursery plants. Crop losses from winter injury is an ongoing challenge for Oregon nursery growers. Reviewing winter protection strategies each year before the start of the growing season may not help this year, but may increase the number of options available for minimizing winter injury next year. Plant nutrient management is an often overlooked culprit that contributes to winter cold injury. This article summarizes how plant nutrition is linked to winter injury, and how nutrient management in nursery production systems may be an overlooked cause of winter injury. |
