2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Nurseries produce a large number of plants in a concentrated area and aesthetics are a key component of the product. In order to produce crops in this fashion, high inputs of water, nutrients and pesticides are typically used. Container nursery production further increases the inputs, especially water, since container substrates are designed to quickly drain and the most effective method to irrigate large numbers of plants in containers (up to a certain size) is with overhead irrigation. As irrigation and pesticides are broadcast over the crop and the crop is limited to the container, a large proportion of water or pesticide may land on non-target areas. Water is the primary means of pesticide movement in nursery production. This presentation will discuss water and pesticide dynamics and management strategies to conserve water and reduce pesticide and water movement in container nursery production.