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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #169770
Title: IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZER PLACEMENT AFFECTS THE PRODUCTION OF CONTAINER-GROWN QUERCUS SHUMARDII

Author
item Fain, Glenn
item KNIGHT, PATRICIA - MSU
item PARIDON, KERI - MSU

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Association Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2004
Publication Date: 8/1/2004
Citation: Fain, G.B., Knight, P., Paridon, K. 2004. Irrigation and fertilizer placement affects the production of container-grown quercus shumardii. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference. 49:108-110

Interpretive Summary: The objective of this research was to determine the effect of fertilizer placement and irrigation method on plant and weed growth in large container tree production. None of the treatments in the study had any effect on height increase. Trees irrigated with drip rings at the surface had a greater caliper increase when fertilizer was placed four inches below the surface. A significant increase in weed population occured in the trees when fertilizer was placed on the surface compared to four inches below the surface. Irrigation method had no effect on weed control in this study however a repeat fall application showed a significantly greater weed control with the drip ring below surface compared to the spray stake. Growers should be aware that fertilizer and irrigation management practices effect weed populations as well as plant growth.

Technical Abstract: Weed control in container production is achieved primarily through use of preemergence herbicides, along with hand-weeding; however, most programs are not 100% effective. Therefore, growers are continually evaluating new strategies to improve weed control in their nurseries. Past research has show that fertilizer placement affects weed control. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of fertilizer placement and irrigation method (specifically the introduction of irrigation water below the substrate surface) on plant and weed growth in production of Quercus shumardii. On April 24, 2003, three gallon liners were potted into #15 containers using a standard nursery mix. Treatment design was a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial with two fertilizer placements, three irrigation methods, and two herbicide rates. Fertilizer 17N-2.9P-9.8K (17-7-12) was dibbled (placed 10.2 cm below the surface of the container media at potting) or top-dressed at a rate of 280 g per container. Irrigation was applied using one of three methods: 1) a spray stake attached to an 11.4 liter per hour pressure compensating drip emitter; 2) a surface pressure compensating drip ring delivering water at a rate of 8.9 liters per hour; and 3) the same drip ring placed 10.2 cm below the container substrate surface. Rout® (oxyfluorfen + oryzalin) was applied at 0 or 112 kg/ha . At 75 DAT containers with no herbicide and topdressed fertilizer had a percent weed coverage of 46% compared to 18% for dibbled containers with no herbicide. Weed top dry weight was also greater for topdressed containers compared to dibbled. None of the treatments in the study had any effect on height increase. Trees irrigated with drip rings at the surface had a 28% greater caliper increase among the dibbled fertilizer treated containers. Trees irrigated with the drip ring placed below the surface and fertilizer topdressed had the smallest caliper increase. Irrigation method had no effect on weed control in this study, however a repeat fall application showed a significantly greater weed control with the drip ring below surface compared to the spray stake. This work further supports previous research which indicated topdressed fertilizer applications result in increased weed populations compared to dibbled applications.