2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Irrigation efficiency has become an essential component of nursery production in the United States. Water shortages require efficient application to optimize plant growth and reduce runoff. Previous overhead irrigation empirical data indicated a 300% variation within several plant production yards. The objective of this research was to determine the wide range of plant shoot and root growth, and fertility management under several media and irrigation rates. ‘New Gold’ Lantana plant growth was significantly impacted by both media and irrigation rate. Plants receiving rates as low as 0.25” daily became stunted 3 weeks after planting. Leaf curling became evident after 4 weeks with selected nursery media blends. Flowering was noticed after 4 weeks with irrigation rates near 1” daily. Effluent increased with irrigation rates above 1” daily irrigation rates. Both shoot and root dry weights were impacted by low and high irrigation regimes as expected. Shoot growth was reduced by > 100%.