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2014 ASHS Annual Conference

19081:
Water Use of Nursery Plants Grown in Alternative Containers: Implications for Sustainability

Tuesday, July 29, 2014: 4:30 PM
Salon 7 (Rosen Plaza Hotel)
Rodney Thomas Fernandez, Dept of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Xueni Wang, Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
Genhua Niu, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso, EL Paso, TX
Robert L. Geneve, Horticulture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Amy F. Fulcher, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Diana Cochran, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Audio File Recorded Presentation
To improve nursery sustainability, nursery containers constructed of wood fiber, woven recycled plastic, keratin and coir were compared to standard high density polypropylene containers in 4 states. Containers were used for a one-year growing season. Plants were irrigated based on daily water use determined with moisture sensors. Plant growth, quality and mortality and container physical properties were measured over the growing season. Plant and container performance will be discussed in relation to water use and implications on sustainable nursery production.
See more of: Workshop: Impact of Utilizing Biodegradable Containers in Ornamental Crop Production Systems *CEU Approved
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