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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #275463
Title: Environmental Compatible Nursery Production

Author
item BILDERBACK, TED - North Carolina State University
item WARREN, STUART - North Carolina State University
item OWEN, JR., JIM - Oregon State University
item Albano, Joseph

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Association Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/6/2006
Publication Date: 9/1/2006
Citation: Bilderback, T., Warren, S., Owen, Jr., J., Albano, J.P. 2006. Environmental Compatible Nursery Production. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference. 51:96-97.

Interpretive Summary: Three years of research focused on determining benefits of adding industrial mineral aggregate clays to pine bark nursery potting substrates. The first study, “Does Clay Save?” compared irrigation requirements and nutrient losses between a traditional pine bark:sand (8:1 by vol.; 11% sand) substrate with four industrial mineral aggregate products including two particle size distributions and two temperature treatments (1). The objective of the study was to determine if any of the industrial mineral aggregrates significantly reduced irrigation requirements and/or reduced nutrient leaching from nursery containers. The four industrial clays were incorporated into pine bark at 8% by volume based upon a previous study (4). Water application to maintain a 0.2 leaching fraction, nutrient leachate losses and growth of Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Skogholm’ were compared among substrates. The second sequential study “Finding the Balance” sought to find the optimal rate of incorporation for water savings and nutrient leaching reduction benefits. In this study a 24/48 sieve range (0.25 to 0.85 mm) high temperature 1472º F (800º C) treated low volatile material clay was incorporated into pine bark at 0,8,12,16 and 20% (by vol.). The third study “How Low Can You Go” manipulated irrigation by reducing leaching fraction to 0.1 compared to 0.2 and reducing phosphorus using Harrell’s/Polyon 19-2-8 compared to 19-4-8. Amending bark substrates with clay significantly increases water use efficiency and decreases phosphorus leaching from containers. Best results were achieved with a small particle 24-48 sieved clay that was heat treated at 1472)º F (800º C).

Technical Abstract: Amending bark substrates with clay significantly increases water use efficiency and decreases phosphorus leaching from containers. Best results were achieved with a small particle 24-48 sieved clay that was heat treated at 1472)º F (800º C).