Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ORNAMENTAL CUTTINGS AND ANNUALS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0215775
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
FLA-ENH-004768
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2008
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2013
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Fisher, PA.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Environmental Horticulture
Non Technical Summary
Florida has a large ornamental plants industry, with 2005 total sales by Florida nurseries, landscape service firms, and horticultural retailers totaling $15.2 billion, second in the nation after California. A number of leading ornamental plant propagation companies in and outside Florida actively collaborate with UF, through the Young Plant Research Center (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/yprc/), which is a university/industry consortium co-directed by Paul Fisher at UF. Many horticultural and agronomic crops are produced from plant cuttings, whereby a section of the plant is harvested from clonal stock plants, the cuttings are rooted in trays, and then the rooted cuttings are grown on in final containers for sale. Nurseries that produce cuttings for horticultural species are mainly located off-shore (for example, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Guatemala, Israel, Kenya, Mexico). The cuttings are then transported by air, where the cuttings are rooted in a U.S. ??rooting station?? greenhouse. Problems in young plant production include high or low substrate-pH problems, nutritional disorders, waterborne pathogens, and inadequate management of the greenhouse climate, especially light and temperature. There is a need for research-based ??Best Management Practices?? to improve irrigation, fertilization, and crop management practices for plant propagation. Research in these areas will be conducted in a collaborative framework through university/industry research groups. Research and education on water quality and treatment, especially for recycled water, will also be focused with a goal to reduce runoff and water-related disease issues in the greenhouse and nursery industry.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1020110101010%
1020110200010%
1022122101010%
1022122102010%
1022123101010%
1022123102010%
2032122102010%
2032123102010%
4032122200010%
4032123200010%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 403 - Waste Disposal, Recycling, and Reuse;

Subject Of Investigation
2122 - Potted plants; 0110 - Soil; 2123 - Bedding/garden plants;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology; 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 2000 - Chemistry;
Goals / Objectives
Objectives are (1) To develop a quantitative model of lime, fertilizer, and plant effects on pH and fertilizer dynamics in container media. (2)To evaluate efficacy of sanitizing chemicals for treatment of waterborne pathogens and algae in recycled irrigation water systems.(3)To evaluate photoperiod, temperature, and plant scheduling effects on cutting propagation and finishing.
Project Methods
For the first objective, the following area will be evaluated (1) substrate moisture and temperature effects on limestone reaction rate. (2) validate the existing limeR pH model.(3)the potential acidity and basicity of fertilizers. (4) Effects of applied water volume and solution electrical conductivity (EC) on leaching and nutrient recharging in growing media. A series of horticultural limestones will be used. Media are peat based. Experiments will be conducted in greenhouse using cuttings and bedding plants. Substrate pH, nutrients in plant tissue and soil solutions will be analyzed. Residual lime concentration in media will also measured using the gasometric method. For the second objective, to quantify the relationship between ppm of active ingredient, pH, and ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) for measuring active concentration and persistence of chemical disinfestants. Laboratory experiments will be conducted to generate quantitative relationships to help growers monitor and interpret the interaction between residual concentration, pH and ORP. The effect of fertilizers, peat, light, and temperature on residual concentration will also be measured. Experiments will be conducted to evaluate the effect of recycling on persistence of chemical disinfestants in greenhouse using annual plants. We will use a system where we subirrigate plants in containers with different chemical disinfestants at label rates for recirculating systems, collect the runoff in buckets, and re-apply those solutions with the next subirrigation. We will measure change in active ingredient, ORP, and pH with different number of irrigation cycles. For the third objective, experiments will be conducted to extend the harvest period and rooting success of cuttings by manipulating photoperiod. blueberries and other perennials will be grown as stock plants under natural, short (9 hour) and long (night-interruption) photoperiods, and cuttings will be harvested every two months. Cuttings will be mist-propagated under the same three photoperiod conditions. Climate will be recorded in stock plant and propagation environment. Other experiments will also be run to evaluate temperature, light level, and handling/packaging procedures of cuttings to reduce cutting production time and enhance rooting success. Trials will also be conducted to predict effect of temperature on flowering of bedding plants. Flowering responses of 20 bedding plant species grown under multiple temperatures in growth chambers and greenhouses at the University of Minnesota and Michigan State University will be analyzed with regression analysis to quantify the base and maximum temperatures for a thermal time model. A computer decision-support system will be developed for packaging the thermal time model for grower use, and to graphically display the predicted effect of temperature on scheduling. Rooted liners of three species will be grown at multiple grower and university locations, and light and temperature data will be recorded with data loggers. Consistency of flowering response at the different locations will be used to validate the thermal time modeling approach.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Floriculture plant producers Allied companies in fertilizer, water, greenhouse structures and equipment Floriculture scientific research and extension colleagues Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? ThreePh.D. students graduated. Another Ph.D. student is continuing his studies. A post-doctoral researcher was employed throughout the project period. Four students were employed as research associates. Five undergraduate students were laboratory volunteers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Trade and scientific conference presentations have been made at the state, national, and international level. These include ISHS conferences on growing media; ASHS presentations; FSHS presentations; presentations to Florida and national grower associations; water quality extension workshops in several states including CA, FL, MI, NC, NJ, SC, and VA. Publications have been made in trade and scientific journals, and in book chapters. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: We developed and validated a new method to estimate the potential of a water soluble fertilizer (WSF) to raise or lower substrate-pH, which was published in HortScience. An app was developed in BackPocketGrower.com to deliver this model to end users, a trade publication was published, and scientific and industry conference presentations were made. The app estimates fertilizer acidity or basicity and matches this with the floriculture crop species and water alkalinity in order to avoid substrate-pH drift over times.A Ph.D. student is continuing research on this topic, and several hydroponic and container experiments were run to evaluate the effects of plant species on cation/anion uptake and pH. A post-doctoral researcher and technician conducted several experiments on matching water alkalinity with fertilizer nitrogen form and concentration. Objective 2:Two Ph.D. students and a post-doctoral researcher conducted researchon water treatment technologies. Several projects were completed, including: Evaluation of Petrifilms for use to quantify microbial levels in irrigation systems (published). A survey of biological, physical, and chemical water quality in 24 greenhouses and nurseries around the U.S. (published) Numerous experiments on interactions between water chemistry, suspended peat concentrations, and active ingredient levels with sanitizing chemicals (some published). A description of the attributes of different water treatment technologies was published, based on an online modified Delphi survey. A preliminary economic analysis of the costs of water, filtration, and chemical treatment was conducted based on data collected from 11 grower participants. A searchable database of literature (“Waterborne Solutions”) on the dose response of different technologies for different plant pathogens, which was delivered in the watereducationalliance.org website and led to a refereed publication. Interactions of nitrogen fertilizer and chlorine for control of Phytophthora nicotianae were evaluated. Book chapters (2) on chlorination and selection of water treatment technologies were published. Objective 3 A computer decision-support tool, FlowersOnTime, using thermal time models was developed and published. An article on the interactions of light and temperature on flowering of bedding plants was published. Photosynthesis data for several bedding plant species was conducted and data were presented to grower and scientific audiences.

Publications

  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fisher, P.R. 2013. University and Industry Roles in Extension Teaching into the Future, p. 22-24. In T. Rhodus (ed.), Changing the Pace - Adopting a Pecha Kucha Approach to Presentations [iBooks 3.0 or later]. Retrieved 1/28/2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/changing-pace-adopting-pecha/id594201341?ls=1
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fisher, P.R., J. Huang, R.E. Raudales, and D.P. Meador. 2014. Chlorine for irrigation water treatment. Ch. 20, pp 235-249. In: Hong, C., G.W. Moorman, W. Wohanka, and C. B�ttner. 2014. Biology, Detection, and Management of Plant Pathogens in Irrigation Water. APS Press, St. Paul, Minn.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fisher, P.R. 2014. Selecting a treatment method for irrigation water. Ch. 25, pp.303-317. In: Hong, C., G.W. Moorman, W. Wohanka, and C. B�ttner. 2014. Biology, Detection, and Management of Plant Pathogens in Irrigation Water. APS Press, St. Paul, Minn.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Meador, D.P., P.R. Fisher, M. Teplitski. 2013. The Use of Petrifilms to Quantify Aerobic Bacteria in Irrigation Water. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 2012. 125:340342.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lopez, J.E., P.R. Fisher, and S. Steed. 2013. Scheduling Of Flowering And Fruiting Of Southern Highbush Blueberry As A Container Ornamental Plant. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 2012. 125:312316.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Johnson, C.N., P.R. Fisher, J. Huang, T.H. Yeager, T.A. Obreza, R.P. Vetanovetz, W.R. Argo, and A. J. Bishko. 2013. Effect of fertilizer potential acidity and nitrogen form on the pH response in a peat-based substrate with three floricultural species. Scientia Horticulturae 162:135-143.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Meador, D.P. and P.R. Fisher. 2013. Ammonium in nutrient solutions decrease free chlorine concentration from sodium hypochlorite. HortScience 48(10):1304-1308.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fisher, P.R., G. Mohammad-Pour, D.W. Haskell, J. Huang, and D.P. Meador. 2013. Water sanitizing agents such as chlorine and chlorine dioxide interact with peat substrate and suspended solids. Acta Horticulturae 1013:279-284.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fisher, P.R., R.W. Dickson, G.S. Mohammad-Pour, and J. Huang. 2014. Effect of Solution Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Pre-Plant Nutrient Form on the pH of a Peat-Perlite Substrate. Acta Horticulturae 1034:249-254.


Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Presentations: International: 2011. Fisher, P.R., G. Mohammad-Pour*, D.W. Haskell*, J. Huang*, and D.P. Meador*. 2011. International Society for Horticultural Science Symposium on Growing Media and Compost. 120 participants. Barcelona, Spain. "Water sanitizing agents such as chlorine and chlorine dioxide with peat substrate and suspended solids." Selected/Volunteered. National: 2012. Fisher, P.R. Water Management Webinar Series. 50 participants. Webinar. "Designing water treatment systems". Organizer and presenter. State: 2012. Lopez*, J.E., P.R. Fisher, and S. Steed. Annual Conference of the Florida State Horticultural Society. 30 participants. Delray Beach, FL. Scheduling Of Flowering And Fruiting Of Southern Highbush Blueberry As A Container Ornamental Plant. 2012. Meador*, D.P., P.R. Fisher, P.F. Harmon, N.A. Peres, M. Teplitski, C.L. Guy. Annual Conference of the Florida State Horticultural Society. 30 participants. Delray Beach, FL. Survey Of Physical, Chemical And Microbial Contaminants In Nursery Irrigation Water. PARTICIPANTS: Graduate students (3 Ph.D., one post-doc). Collaborations with Michigan State University, Clemson University, University of Minnesota, and North Carolina State University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Greenhouse and nursery growers in Florida, the U.S., and internationally, with an emphasis on producers of "young plants" (vegetative and tissue culture cuttings, and seedling plugs). Technical and quality control staff of growing media and water treatment allied companies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
A direct measurement of the value to industry partners is that the FRA program has generated over $1M in industry funding (donations, industry grants and contracts) since 2007. Industry partners who have been directly involved in onsite trials represent more than 40 million square feet of floriculture production, including 7 of the largest 100 floriculture operations in the U.S. and 9 of the largest floriculture operations in Florida. Behavioral changes in the 30 grower partners with whom we have directly conducted trials, and which are supported by our applied research and education, include: Monitoring of light level, and improved efficiency in use of electrical light and shading based on research of crop responses to light quantity. Improved selection and rotation of pesticides, including parasitic nematodes (biological control) for fungus gnats (a major pest during plant propagation) based on onsite and controlled research on efficacy of pesticides. Increased diversity of liner sizes produced, and improved space use efficiency, based on trialing of crop timing, and modeling of financial returns. Matching of fertilizer type to water quality to minimize drift in substrate-pH based on research of pH. More efficient use of water and nutrients based on onsite and controlled research on leaching and fertilizer use in propagation. Improved ability to quantify costs, profitability, and crop losses by utilizing financial benchmarking and cost tracking tools developed by UF. On the growing media side, companies participating with FRA trials represent over 90% of production of peat-based substrates for floriculture in the U.S. and Canada market. We have provided "Consumer Reports" type quality control testing for these companies, in the process establishing industry standards and quality control procedures for propagation substrates that are used by these companies.

Publications

  • Meador, D.P., P.R. Fisher, P.F. Harmon, N.A. Peres, M. Teplitski, C.L. Guy. 2012. Survey of Physical, Chemical, and Microbial Water Quality in Greenhouse and Nursery Irrigation Water. HortTechnology 22(6):778-786.
  • Fisher, P.R., E.S. Runkle, M.G. Blanchard, J.E. Erwin, and B. MacKay. 2012. FlowersOnTime: A computer decision-support tool for floriculture crop producers. Journal Of Extension (Online) 50(5):5TOT3. http://www.joe.org/joe/2012october/tt3.php.
  • Gilman, E.F., M. Paz, D. Meador, and P.Fisher. 2012. Propagation container type, time in container, and root pruning affect root development of young Acer rubrum. J.Environ.Hort. 30(3):150-160.
  • Huang, J., D.P. Meador, P.R. Fisher, D.B. Decio, and W.E. Horner. 2012. Disinfestant chemicals to control waterborne pathogens are deactivated by peat particles in irrigation water. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 2011, 124:289-293.
  • Johnson, C.N., P.R. Fisher, and J. Huang. 2012. Fertilizer selection as a pH management tool in floriculture production. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 2011, 124:276-280.
  • Mohammad-Pour, G.S., D.W. Haskell, J. Huang, and P.R. Fisher. 2012. Efficacy of Copper Sanitizers in Subirrigation Tanks. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 2011, 124:281-284.
  • Raudales, R.E., P.R. Fisher, C.L. Harmon, and B.R. MacKay. 2012. Review of Efficacy Tests for Chlorination on Irrigation Systems. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 2011, 124:285-288.
  • Fisher, P.R., A. Hodges, W. Swanekamp, and C. Hall. 2012. Fine tuning overhead calculations. OFA Bulletin Sept/Oct 2012, 935:4-7.
  • Huang, J., P.R. Fisher, and W.R. Argo. 2012. Quality Control In Growing Media: (b) Porosity For Plug and Liner Mixes. OFA Bulletin July/August 2012, 934: 2-7.
  • Fisher, P. 2012. The latest on plug production: Water quality research. GrowerTalks Sept. 2012: 50, 52.
  • Fisher, P.R., A. Hodges, W. Swanekamp, and C. Hall. 2012. Mine your income statement. OFA Bulletin May 2012 933:1, 7-11.
  • Fisher, P.R. 2012. Blueberries as Ornamental Edibles. Greenhouse Product News Feb 2012:22-27.
  • Huang, J., P.R. Fisher, and W.R. Argo. 2012. Media quality control for young plant growers: substrate particle size. OFA Bulletin March/April 2012, 932:1,9-12.
  • Parke, J. and Fisher, P. 2012. Treating irrigation water to eliminate water molds. Pages 5-47 through 5-49 in: Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook (J. W. Pscheidt and C. M. Ocamb, eds.) A Pacific Northwest Extension Publication (Oregon State University, Washington State University, and University of Idaho). Online at: http://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pesticide-articles/treating-irri gation-water-eliminate-water-molds.
  • Parke, J. and P.R. Fisher. 2012. Treating Irrigation Water. Digger, 56(2):41-45. http://www.oan.org/associations/4440/files/digger/Digger_201202_pp41- 45_web.pdf.
  • Huang, J., P.R. Fisher, D.P. Meador, and W.R. Argo. 2011. What is in your water Measuring Sanitizing Agents in Irrigation Water. GMPro. December 2011, 31(12):24-28.
  • Fisher, P.R., D.P. Meador, J. Parke, R. Wick, and W.R. Argo. 2011. What is in your water Filtration and Suspended Solids in Irrigation Water. GMPro, November 2011 31(11): 26-30.
  • Fisher, P.R., D.P. Meador, J. Parke, R. Wick, and W.R. Argo. 2011. What is in your water Biological Water Quality. GMPro, October 2011, 31(10): 40-44.


Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Refereed publications published: 4 journal plus 4 Acta Horticulturae refereed proceeding articles. Refereed publications submitted and in review: 5, in refereed proceedings. Peer-reviewed book chapters: 2. Non-refereed publications: 2 book chapters and 11 trade articles. Non-refereed publications in press: 3 trade articles. Presentations to scientific meetings: 5, along with multiple extension presentations. Two websites established (floriculturealliance.org and watereducationalliance.org) with 3786 unique visitors in 2011. Webinar series on water quality and treatment with 434 participants. Two day workshop on water best management practices provided in Oregon in collaboration with Oregon State University. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborations in workshops, articles, websites, and webinars with Clemson University, Michigan State University, NC State University, Oregon State University, University of Minnesota, Washington State University, USDA-ARS. Involvement with numerous industry stakeholders (growers and allied horticulture companies) listed in watereducationalliance.org and floriculturealliance.org. Series of nine webinars were provided as an inservice training for extension faculty. TARGET AUDIENCES: Greenhouse and nursery growers, allied horticulture suppliers, consultants, extension agents PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Filtration effectiveness was measured in 14 greenhouse and nursery locations resulting in improved recommendations on effective prefiltration before chemical water treatment. Assisted 12 growers in tracking shrinkage and profitability, and developed financial spreadsheet tools to improve production efficiency and benchmarking.

Publications

  • Santos, K.M., P.R. Fisher, E.H. Simonne, T.H. Yeager, H.S. Carter, and W.R. Argo. 2011. Effect of petunia stock plant nutritional status on fertilizer response during propagation. Journal of Plant Nutrition 34:1424-1436.
  • Blanchard, M., E.S. Runkle, and P.R. Fisher. 2011. Modeling Plant Morphology and Development of Petunia in Response to Temperature and Photosynthetic Daily Light Integral. Scientia Horticulturae 129:313-320.
  • Santos, K.M., P.R. Fisher, W.R. Argo, E.H. Simonne, T.H. Yeager, and H.S. Carter. 2011. Timing of macronutrient supply during propagation of Petunia. HortScience 46: 475-480.
  • Santos, K.M., P.R. Fisher, and W.R. Argo. 2011. Survey of Tissue Nutrient Levels in Vegetative Cuttings. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 42:669-693.
  • Cretu, A., P.R. Fisher and W.R. Argo. 2011. The effect of leaching on electrical conductivity and nitrogen in propagation media. Acta Horticulturae 891:103-110.
  • Fisher, P.R., J. Huang, W.R. Argo, and P.V. Nelson. 2011. The LimeR series of analytical protocols for lime in container substrates. Acta Horticulturae 891:111-118.
  • Huang, J., P.R. Fisher, D.B. Decio*, W. E. Horner*, and D.P. Meador*. 2011. Quantifying the effect of peat and other environmental factors on residual activity of sodium hypochlorite. Acta Horticulturae 891:241-248.
  • Johnson, C.N., P.R. Fisher, R.P. Vetanovetz , and W.R. Argo. 2011. Quantifying the acidity and basicity of fertilizers in container substrates. Acta Horticulturae 891:159-166.


Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: For the pH management objective (1), most of the acid or basic effects of blended water soluble fertilizers in our trials appeared to result from the nitrogen form. Ammonium was strongly acidic, nitrate was somewhat basic, and urea was somewhat acidic. When bedding plant impatiens were grown in a peat/perlite medium with hydrated lime, without residual carbonate lime, and with zero alkalinity water, a "neutral" fertilizer in terms of no media-pH change over 4 weeks required a ratio of around 9 parts of ammonium to 1 part of nitrate. However, "neutral" was very dependent on factors other than fertilizer, notably water alkalinity, residual lime, and plant species. For example, impatiens had an intermediate effect on pH compared with petunia (more basic) and geranium (more acidic). A fertilizer acidity equation was constructed based on the nitrogen form of a fertilizer. Relative to 100 ppm of Ammonium-N (100 acid units), nitrate-N had a value of 8.7 basic, and urea-N had a value of 31.8 acid. Using this formula, calculated from one greenhouse experiment and validated against two other experiments, up to 90% of the variation in pH was explained by nitrogen form, despite a range of P, K, Mg, Ca, and S levels in the fertilizers included in the experiments. Further validation and analysis are necessary to come up with a reliable new calculation for the pH effect of a fertilizer. However, early results are encouraging that a new formula could be developed that more accurately represents the CCE of a water soluble fertilizer in container production, compared with current industry methods. For objective 2, a survey of water quality in 24 nurseries and greenhouses around the U.S. showed high microbial counts in concrete lined tanks (65229 colony forming units/mL) and open outdoor catchment basins (435,336 cfu/mL), exceeding the levels recommended for micro-irrigation systems. Although many of the operations had water treatment systems installed, they varied widely in efficacy based on control of microbial counts. Ten workshops and conference presentations were provided in CA, CO, FL, NJ, NV, OH, and Medellin, Colombia, and five webinars were presented to grower audiences. PARTICIPANTS: Graduate students: Angelica Cretu (M.S.), Connie Johnson (Ph.D.), Dustin Meador (Ph.D.), Rosa Raudales (Ph.D.). Committee members: Tom Yeager, Tracy Irani, Tom Obreza, Charles Guy, Carrie Harmon, Philip Harmon, Natalia Peres, Max Teplitski. Collaborative project with Clemson University, University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, and North Carolina State University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience: Growers, with activities have included workshops in several states, conference presentations, webinars, trade publications, and a website (www.watereducationalliance.org). UF Extension Faculty, activities have included webinars and an inservice training. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
One M.S. student graduated with project on leaching of nutrients and management of nutrient levels in propagation. 591 growers and industry professionals trained in microbial analysis and treatment of irrigation water. Inservice training on water monitoring provided to 30 University of Florida extension professionals.

Publications

  • Johnson, C.N., P.R. Fisher, J. Huang, R.P. Vetanovetz, and W.R. Argo. 2010. Quantifying the Acidity of an Ammonium-based Fertilizer in Containerized Plant Production. HortScience 45:1099-1105.
  • Huang, J., P.R. Fisher, W.E. Horner, and W.R. Argo. 2010. Limestone Particle Size and Residual Lime Concentration Affect pH Buffering in Container Substrates. Journal of Plant Nutrition 33:846-858.
  • Fisher, P.R., R. Raudales, D.P. Meador. 2010. How Clean Is Your Water Choosing a Water Treatment System. OFA Bulletin, July/August 2010: 4-7.
  • Fisher, P.R., J. Huang, D.P. Meador, D.B. Decio, and W.E. Horner. 2010. How long do sanitizing chemicals last in irrigation water OFA Bulletin, Jan/Feb 2010: 13-14.


Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A water quality and treatment workshop was run on April 29 2009 in Tampa FL with 122 registered participants who included 57 growers of nursery, vegetable, and strawberry crops; 28 allied suppliers; 13 government; and 24 extension/university participants. The growers were surveyed on current and planned water treatment practices. The perceived costs and risks associated with using recaptured or recycled water may prevent growers from adopting water conservation measures. 59% of growers participating collected water in a pond or tank for reuse, and 38% of treated their water for pathogens and algae (21% had no treatment). Filtration (34%) and chlorination (liquid bleach (24%), gas (17%), or solid (17%) forms) were the most popular treatments. The main reason growers were not treating water was because they did not perceive any problems (28%) or because of cost (17%). Measurements in grower locations show that current water treatment practices are not adequate to control microbial water quality. During summer 2009, we surveyed water quality in 23 greenhouse and nursery growers in the U.S.. Mean bacteria count (718,742 colony forming units/mL) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD, 59 mg/L) in collection ponds were well above the EPA recommended levels of 10,000 cfu/mL and Kansas State University guidelines of COD 30 mg/L for recycled irrigation water. The organic load tended to remain high in pond water following treatment. In addition, we identified significant flaws in the filtration or injection systems in several grower locations. A literature review on water treatment was added to a website WaterEducationAlliance.org, along with an interactive case study of a real grower's decision on water treatment technologies. In the plant nutrition area, a series of protocols for analyzing lime in container media were developed and added to a website FloricultureAlliance.org. PARTICIPANTS: Research Training: K.M. Santos - Ph.D. student (graduated 2009). A. Cretu - M.S. student (graduated 2009). D.P. Meador - Ph.D. student. C.N. Johnson - Ph.D. student. J. Huang - Post-doctoral Research Scientist. M.A. Redkozubova - Undergraduate student research assistant. D.B. Decio - Undergraduate student research assistant (graduated 2009). Research Collaborators actively involved in graduate and applied research for this project: Tom Yeager, University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Sonali Padhye, University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Rosanna Freyre, University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Eric Simonne, University of Florida Horticultural Science Tracy Irani, University of Florida Ag Communications Hannah Carter, University of Florida Ag Communications Phillip Harmon, University of Florida Plant Pathology Natalia Peres, University of Florida Plant Pathology Max Teplitzki, University of Florida Soil and Water Science Tom Obreza, University of Florida Soil and Water Science Erik Runkle, Michigan State University Jim Faust, Clemson University John Erwin, University of Minnesota Paul Nelson, North Carolina State University John Dole, North Carolina State University Bruce MacKay, Massey University, New Zealand Bill Argo, Blackmore Co. Rick Vetanovetz, Sun Gro Horticulture TARGET AUDIENCES: Greenhouse and nursery growers Soil testing laboratories Media and fertilizer allied companies Water treatment companies Water management districts PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
A post-conference survey of grower participants in a Tampa FL workshop showed a high level of motivation to make improvements in water treatment: 38% reported they would follow up with water treatment companies on technology options; 43% reported they would request additional information from UF IFAS Extension; 29% reported they would go to the watereducationalliance.org website for more information; 71% reported they would test water quality; 14% would submit a BMP notice of intent; and 19% would apply for an improvement grant such as EQIP. Detailed water quality analytical results were collected and distributed to 23 growers around the U.S., along with training on how to monitor water quality onsite and how to use this information to improve water quality and successful water recycling. One M.S. and One Ph.D. student graduated following research on nutrient leaching and best management practices for propagation.

Publications

  • K.M. Santos, P.R. Fisher, and W.R. Argo. 2009. Stem Versus Foliar Uptake during Propagation of Petunia xhybrida Vegetative Cuttings. HortScience 44:1974-1977.
  • P.R. Fisher, J. Huang, W.E. Horner, C.N. Johnson and W.R. Argo. 2009. Residual lime and pH buffering in container substrates. Acta Horticulturae 819:249-255.
  • Fisher, P.R. and W.R. Argo. 2009. Poinsettias. Greenhouse Grower, Sept 2009: 38-43.
  • Argo, W.R. and P.R Fisher. 2009. Environmentally Induced Problems. Greenhouse Grower, Aug 2009: 28-31.
  • Fisher, P.R. and W.R. Argo. 2009. Common High Media-EC Problems. Greenhouse Grower, July 2009: 35-38.
  • Fisher, P.R. and W.R. Argo. 2009. Low Media-EC. Greenhouse Grower, June 2009: 22-28.
  • Fisher, P.R. and W.R. Argo. 2009. High pH Problems. Greenhouse Grower, May 2009: 52-57.
  • Fisher, P.R. and W.R. Argo. 2009. Correcting low media-pH. Greenhouse Grower, Apr. 2009: 36-39.
  • Santos, K.M. and P.R. Fisher. 2009. Manage water and nutrients in propagation. GMPro, Mar 2009: 30-32.
  • Fisher, P.R. and R. Wick. 2009. Upgrade your irrigation system. GMPro, Mar 2009: 16-20.
  • Santos, K.M., P.R. Fisher, and W.R. Argo. 2009. Nutrient supply in propagation. GPN, Feb 2009: 35-37.
  • Fynn, R.P., P.R. Fisher, A. Frances, and W.R. Argo. 2009. Using ultraviolet light for water treatment. GMPro, Feb. 2009:16-21.
  • Hayes, C., L. Evans, P.R. Fisher, A. Frances, R. Vetanovetz, and Y. Zheng. 2009. Combat pathogens, algae, with ozone treatment. GMPro, Jan. 2009:16-20.
  • Fischer, R., P. Fisher, and A. Frances. 2008. Water treatment with copper ionization. GMPro, Dec. 2008:18-21.
  • Fisher, P.R. Extension: Universities Uniting. 2008. Greenhouse Grower, Dec. 2008:82.
  • Larose, R., P.R. Fisher, E. Austen, V. Choppakatla, A. Frances, W.E. Horner, J. Huang, R. Wick, and R. Yates. 2008. Activated peracids can treat water. GMPro, November 2008:14-19.
  • Argo, W.R. and P.R. Fisher. 2008. Managing media pH. Greenhouse Grower November 2008:61,63,64.
  • Argo, W.R. and P.R. Fisher. 2008. Controlled and Slow Release Fertilizers. Greenhouse Grower October 2008:46,48,50.