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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Wooster, Ohio » Application Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #409407
Research Project: Sustainable Production and Pest Management Practices for Nursery, Greenhouse, and Protected Culture Crops

Location: Application Technology Research

Title: Keep your nutrients in your plants

Author
item AMMONS, ANELLE - North Carolina State University
item LEBUDE, ANTHONY - North Carolina State University
item Owen Jr, James - Jim

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/27/2023
Publication Date: 11/2/2023
Citation: Ammons, A., Lebude, A., Owen Jr, J.S. 2023. Keep your nutrients in your plants. Nursery and Landscape Notes. 50-52 (Fall).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: With fluctuating fertilizer prices, the goal of growers is to ensure as much of the applied fertilizer ends up in their crop; ensuring they get the most “bloom for your buck”. Additionally, there is increasing pressure on the nursery industry to reduce environmental impact, with a continued focus toward nutrient runoff in irrigation water leaving containers. When these nutrients flow out of the nursery, you see dollars go down the drain and add to pollution issues in your surrounding community. To be economically sustainable and good stewards of the environment, nurseries need to ensure that runoff is reduced. Researchers potted Screaming Neon Red™ roses and Endless Summer® Bloomstruck® hydrangeas in Nursery Supplies trade #2 containers (C900) filled with either Aeration+ Potting Mix (AS40) or All-purpose Potting Mix (PM2). The high rate (45g) of Harrell's 18-4-8, 8-9 month-controlled release fertilizer was top dressed, incorporated, or the medium rate (34g) (25% less of high rate) was placed in the top half of the container to reduce leaching and maintain similar quality growth using less nutrients. Plants were irrigated overhead with two different low rates of water daily. This resulted in plants that were grown dry in two diverse mixes with different nutrient placements to slow leaching. After 18 weeks, plants grown in the PM2 substrate were larger compared to those grown in AS40, regardless of irrigation rate or fertilizer placement (Table 2; Figure 2). This was due, most likely, to the PM2’s finer texture and greater water holding capacity. More water held by the potting mix meant more nutrients were available to the roots for a longer time between irrigation.