Workshop: Impact of Utilizing Biodegradable Containers in Ornamental Crop Production Systems *CEU Approved

Objective(s):
Our objectives are to highlight the latest biocontainer research findings on the use of biocontainers in commercial production (greenhouse, above ground nursery, and pot-in-pot nursery production) and implementation in the landscape.
The horticulture industry relies heavily on plastic-derived products such as nursery pots, trays, flats, chemical containers, greenhouse covers, and irrigation tubing for its production efforts. While the widespread use of plastic has led to many production efficiencies, it is also the source of an estimated 350 million pounds of plastic waste annually. Though recycling in general is on the rise in the United States, only about 1% of horticulture plastics are recycled. This waste has generated significant interest from consumer and commercial markets for more sustainable production alternatives. Biocontainers have emerged as potential substitutes for standard plastic containers. Research has shown that plants marketed in biodegradable containers increase buyer interest – more so than most other efforts to increase production sustainability. Biocontainers can be plantable or compostable with plantable containers offering the additional benefit of reduced installation time. However, there are many unanswered questions regarding whether biocontainers are able be integrated into existing commercial production systems effectively. This workshop will highlight the latest biocontainer research findings, including: plant performance during production; irrigation requirements; appropriateness for long-term crop production, container durability during production and shipping; and container biodegradability and plant establishment in the landscape. These presentations discuss current research-based information on the use of biocontainers during commercial production (including greenhouse, above ground nursery, and pot-in-pot nursery production) and landscape performance of plants produced in plantable containers.All of these applied trials are used to guide holistic economic and carbon footprint accountings of biocontainer use.  This information is applicable to growers, extension personnel, educators, and landscapers.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014: 4:00 PM
Salon 7 (Rosen Plaza Hotel)
Coordinators:
Moderator:
4:00 PM
Impact of Biocontainers on Plant Performance and Container Decomposition in the Landscape
Genhua Niu, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso; Youping Sun, Texas A & M University; Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University; Andrew Koeser, University of Florida, GREC; Krista Jacobsen, University of Kentucky; Vicky Anderson, University of Kentucky; Sven Verlinden, West Virginia University; Renee Conneway, West Virginia University
4:15 PM
Impact of Alternative Materials on Container Physical Properties and Substrate Temperature
Susmitha Nambuthiri, University of Kentucky; Robert L. Geneve, University of Kentucky; Youping Sun, Hunan Academy of Forestry; Xueni Wang, Michigan State University; Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University; Rodney Thomas Fernandez, Michigan State University; Genhua Niu, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso; Amy F. Fulcher, University of Tennessee; Diana Cochran, University of Tennessee
4:30 PM
Water Use of Nursery Plants Grown in Alternative Containers: Implications for Sustainability
Rodney Thomas Fernandez, Michigan State University; Xueni Wang, Michigan State University; Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University; Genhua Niu, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso; Robert L. Geneve, University of Kentucky; Amy F. Fulcher, University of Tennessee; Diana Cochran, University of Tennessee
4:45 PM
Economics of Utilizing Biodegradable Containers in Ornamental Crop Production Systems
Robin G. Brumfield, Rutgers University; Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University; Diana Cochran, University of Tennessee; Rodney Thomas Fernandez, Michigan State University; Amy F. Fulcher, University of Tennessee; Robert L. Geneve, University of Kentucky; Andrew Koeser, University of Florida, GREC; Genhua Niu, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso; J. Ryan Stewart, Brigham Young University; Xueni Wang, Michigan State University; Alyssa DeVincentis, N/A
5:00 PM
Biocontainer Use in Petunia xhybrida Greenhouse Production – A Cradle-to-Gate Carbon Footprint Assessment of Secondary Impacts
Andrew Koeser, University of Florida, GREC; Sarah T. Lovell, University of Illinois; Aaron C. Petri, University of Illinois; Robin G. Brumfield, Rutgers University; J. Ryan Stewart, Brigham Young University
5:15 PM
Use of Fiber Containers in Pot-in-Pot System for a Two-year Nursery Production of Birch
Tongyin Li, Mississippi State University; Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University; Genhua Niu, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso; Susmitha Nambuthiri, University of Kentucky; Robert L. Geneve, University of Kentucky; Xueni Wang, Michigan State University; Rodney Thomas Fernandez, Michigan State University; Amy F. Fulcher, University of Tennessee; Youping Sun, Texas A & M University; Xiaojie Zhao, Mississippi State University
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