Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Wooster, Ohio » Application Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #391816
Research Project: Sustainable Production and Pest Management Practices for Nursery, Greenhouse, and Protected Culture Crops

Location: Application Technology Research

Title: Defying gravity: Utilizing stratified growing media to invent the future

Author
item Owen Jr, James - Jim
item FIELDS, JEB - Louisiana State University Agcenter
item Altland, James

Submitted to: Nursery Management and Production
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/9/2022
Publication Date: 3/9/2022
Citation: Owen Jr, J.S., Fields, J.S., Altland, J.E. 2022. Defying gravity: Utilizing stratified growing media to invent the future. Nursery Management and Production. March 2022. 18-23.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Stratification is the layering of multiple media (synonymous with substrates) in a single container to beneficially manipulate the system. This approach mimics natural soil horizons and has also been used effectively in many industrial and environmental applications. Unlike prior research of using “mulch” in containers; the layers are within the normal rooting volume. Two major stratification techniques are currently being evaluated throughout the US: 1) placing a fine or fiber amended pine bark above a coarse substrate to manage water and fertility and 2) placing a coarse substrate above conventional substrate (C. Marble at UFL in collaboration with J. Altland) to manage weeds. This article will focus on the first described technique of substrate stratification.