Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Irrigation and fertilization components were evaluated in two experiments to determine which would maximize growth, minimize effluent and reduce the amount of nutrient loss from container substrate. Treatments tested included fertilizer placement (incorporated and topdressed), irrigation frequency [once daily (lx) and three times daily (3x)] and irrigation method (drip rings and spray stakes. In the first experiment, Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. (Chinese elm) trees were grown for a year and new trees were planted the second year. In the second experiment, Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei Acoma (Acoma crape myrtle) trees were grown for two consecutive years. Incorporated fertilizer produced higher growth indices and maintained higher substrate nutrient content (N, P and K) in Chinese elms compared to topdressed fertilizer. Similar results where found in crape myrtle with the exception of P substrate content, where no significant differences occurred. In the Chinese elm
experiment, the 3x irrigation treatments resulted in higher growth indices and less effluent compared to 1x irrigation. Conversely, 3x irrigations resulted in higher growth indices but no differences in effluent in the crape myrtle experiment. Spray stake treatments resulted in less effluent in the elm study. Drip ring treatments produced larger growth indices in the crape myrtle study. These results suggest a grower could maximize growth and greatly reduce runoff by incorporating fertilizer, practicing cyclic irrigation methods and using drip rings in large container production systems. These results could be used to improve the nursery best management practices in a container nursery production setting. Results reported in 2003 from 2001 and 2002 experiments revealed that effluent was affected by irrigation type and frequency. Drip rings produced significantly more effluent than spray stakes for every month recorded. Irrigating 3x daily reduced effluent by as much as 25% compared to
1x daily irrigations. Incorporating fertilizer produced statistically larger trees than topdressing in the months of August and September. Larger trees were also produced by the 3x daily watering treatments. Leaching of N and P was significantly higher from the incorporated fertilizer in August and September compared to topdressing. K leached more from incorporated than from topdressed from July to October. Higher temperatures inside the container could cause this since the fertilizer release rate is dependent on temperature.
Impacts
Container-grown woody ornamentals require high volumes of water and sufficient nutrients to develop into healthy, high quality plants. The increased awareness of possible contamination of ground and surface water resources from nursery runoff has forced growers to implement higher water use efficiency techniques to maximize fertilizer efficiency and reduce nutrient and irrigation runoff. Components of a large container production system that could affect irrigation volume, substrate nutrition levels and nutrient runoff include fertilizer placement, irrigation frequency and irrigation method. These data show that short cyclic irrigation cycles reduce runoff and increases plant growth. Incorporating fertilizers also increased plant growth. Data generated from this experiment are critical to the future success of nursery growers.
Publications
- Witcher, Anthony L., Edward W. Bush, Drew Bates and Ann Gray. 2002. Evaluation of fertilizer and Irrigtion Production Systems for Large Copntainers. Proc. SNA Res. Conf. 47: 606-610
- Witcher, Anthony Lynn. 2003. Evaluation of Fertilizer and Irrigation Production Systems for Large Containers. Master's Thesis. LSU Library, URN etd-0407103-102749
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Irrigation and fertilization components were evaluated in two experiments to determine which would maximize growth, minimize effluent and reduce the amount of nutrient loss from container substrate. Treatments tested included fertilizer placement (incorporated and topdressed), irrigation frequency [once daily (1x) and three times daily (3x)] and irrigation method (drip rings and spray stakes). In the first experiment, Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. (Chinese elm) trees were grown for a year and new trees were planted the second year. In the second experiment, Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Acoma' ('Acoma' crape myrtle) trees were grown for two consecutive years. Incorporated fertilizer produced higher growth indices and maintained higher substrate nutrient content (N, P and K) in Chinese elms compared to topdressed fertilizer. Similar results where found in crape myrtle with the exception of P substrate content, where no significant differences occurred. In the Chinese elm
experiment, the 3x irrigation treatments resulted in higher growth indices and less effluent compared to 1x irrigation. Conversely, 3x irrigation resulted in higher growth indices but no differences in effluent in the crape myrtle experiment. Spray stake treatments resulted in less effluent in the elm study. Drip ring treatments produced larger growth indices in the crape myrtle study. These results suggest a grower could maximize growth and greatly reduce runoff by incorporating fertilizer, practicing cyclic irrigation methods and using drip rings in a large container production system. These results could be used to improve the nursery best management practices in a container nursery production setting. A Satsuma citrus orchard has been established at Burden Center with six cultivars. They are 'Awari', 'Brown Select', 'Early Armstrong', 'Early St. Ann', 'Kimbrough', and 'La Early'. These trees were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. One year of
growth has been completed. The trees will be monitored annually for tree growth as measured by trunk diameter, precocity as measured by earliness of production, bloom date, cold hardiness, and fruit quality as measured by juice quality and quantity. Determinations for juice quality are solids, acid, pH, and solid-acid ratio.
Impacts
Container-grown woody ornamentals require high volumes of water and sufficient nutrients to develop into healthy, high quality plants. The increased awareness of possible contamination of ground and surface water resources from nursery runoff has forced growers to implement higher water use efficiency techniques to maximize fertilizer efficiency and reduce nutrient and irrigation runoff. Components of a large container production system that could affect irrigation volume, substrate nutrition levels and runoff include fertilizer placement, irrigation frequency and irrigation method. Data generated from this experiment are critical to the future success of nursery growers. How risky is Satsuma production north of latitude 30 degrees 32 minutes N? Can citrus trees growing this far north be adequately protected from the cold? This orchard is designed to determine the answer to these questions.
Publications
- Witcher, Anthony Lynn. 2003. Evaluation of Fertilizer and Irrigation Production Systems for Large Nursery Containers. Master's thesis. LSU Library, URN etd-0407103-102749.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Eighty 11.4 l Chinese elms (Ulmus parvifolia) were transplanted April 5, 2000 into 75.7 l Lerio containers using a pine bark, peat and sand (3:1:1 by volume) media amended with 3.6 kg/764.6 l dolomitic limestone. Forty containers were topdressed with 0.52 kg of Osmocote 15-9-12 plus minors (12-14 Month) and forty were filled with media incorporated with 8.2 kg/764.6 l of the same product. Half the containers were irrigated by Roberts Spot Spittersr (spray stakes) with a 22.7 lph flow rate @ 15 psi, while the rest contained 106.7 cm rings with drippers every 15.2 cm, 11.4 lph flow rate @ 15 psi, made from drip tubing. Thirty-two containers were placed on 25.4 cm tall square stands constructed of 3.8 cm angled iron, a 61 cm square rubber mat with a drain attached placed between the container and stand for collection purposes. Trees were arranged in a RCBD with 2 irrigation treatments (spray stake and drip ring), 2 fertilizer treatments (incorporated and topdressed), and
2 irrigation frequencies (one and three times per day) with 10 replications. Trees were irrigated at 6AM for the one time per day (1x) treatment and at 6AM, 12PM, and 6PM for the three times per day (3x) treatment. Effluent and leachates were taken monthly from July to November while a growth index, calculated by averaging height plus caliper measurements, was recorded every two months from June to October. Effluent was collected in 18.9 l containers and weighed to determine percent effluent. Leachates were collected from effluent and analyzed for pH, EC, N, P, and K. Height was taken in centameters from the media surface to the apical meristem using a measuring pole. Stem caliper measurements were taken 15.2 cm above the media surface to the nearest 1/100 millimeter using a Mitutoyor digital caliper. Results reveal effluent was affected by irrigation type and frequency. Drip rings produced significantly more effluent than spray stakes for every month recorded, although overspray and
drift by the spray stakes accounted for differences in effluent by irrigation type. Irrigating three times daily significantly reduces effluent by 15-24% compared to once a day irrigation. Results indicate growth was affected by fertilizer placement and irrigation frequency. Incorporating fertilizer produced statistically larger trees than topdressing in the months of August and October. Statistically, larger trees were produced by watering 3x compared to. No significant differences for pH were observed between any of the treatments. In all cases EC remained in an acceptable range for vigorously growing plants. Leaching of N and P was significantly higher from the incorporated fertilizer in August and September compared to topdress. K leached significantly more from incorporated than topdressed from July to October. Higher temperatures inside the container could cause this since the fertilizer release rate is dependent on temperature.
Impacts
This study showed cyclic irrigation reduced runoff and increased plant growth compared to a single application. Increased growth was also seen with incorporated fertilizer compared to topdressed. These results provide several production systems for large containers growers could consider.
Publications
- Witcher, Anthony L., Edward W. Bush, Drew Bates and Ann Gray. 2002. Evaluation of Fertilizer and Irrigation Production Systems for Large Containers. Proc. SNA Res. Conf. 47: 606-610
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
A study of 4 preplant nitrogen levels in butter beans was conducted at Burden Research Center on Alluvial silt loam soil. `Henderson Bush' butter bean was planted on 8/24/01 in a single drill on 1.2 m field rows. The field was planted with a John Deere precision seeder using plate 1002 18 at 185,644 seeds/ha. Preplant fertilizer was applied at the rate of 448kg/ha 8 24 24 in a single band off center of the row. Dual herbicide at 110 ml/ha, preemerge was applied. Overhead irrigation was applied twice during the growing season. Total rainfall during the test was 254 ml. Preplant nitrogen levels of 0, 33.6, 67.2 and 100.8 kg/ha were applied in the same drill as complete fertilizer in 30.48 m plots. Each treatment was replicated four times. Three 3.05 m hand harvests (70 plants) at 95, 102, and 109 days, and one 9.1 m machine harvest at 102 days were made. Hand harvested plants were pulled with beans intact and fresh weight recorded. Results indicate that the application
of preplant nitrogen at 67.2 and 100.8 kg/ha levels delayed maturity by 1 and 2 weeks respectively. Total in shell yield was greatest at 67.2 kg N/ha (11,211kg/ha) and 100.8 kg N/a (10,858 kg/ha) when compared to the control, 0 kg N/ha (10,662 kg/ha). The yield for 33.6 kg N/ha rate (9,212 kg/ha) was the least. Shell out percentages for all nitrogen levels were less that the control due to delayed maturity and greener pods. Machine harvesting reduced total yields by an average of 13.6%. The greatest yield reduction came from the 100.8 kg N/ha rate which was 14.1 %. This was due to more vegetation and plant lodging.
Impacts
Data are inconclusive after this one study, but they strongly indicate that nitrogen fertilizer as it effects plant morphology is critical to the success of mechanical harvesting of fresh butter beans.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
A trial to evaluate the ornamental and vegetable performance of eleven commercially available leaf lettuce cultivars was conducted. Ratings for visual quality, pest (insect and disease) resistance, plant width, plant height, and flowering date are presented. The relative performance of cultivars is discussed in addition to a general description of form, texture, color, cultural characteristics, culinary use, ornamental use, and maturity date. Recommendations are suggested for selecting and growing leaf lettuce in the vegetable and ornamental garden. A trial to evaluate the landscape performance of five ornamental sweet potato cultivars ('Black Beauty', 'Tricolor', 'Blackie', 'Marguerite', and 'Summer Frost') was conducted. Plants were grown in raised beds located in full sun. Spacing was 3 feet between plants with ten plants per cultivar. Visual ratings were made twice monthly from May through October. Rating results are given for foliage color/appeal, growth habit,
and vigor. Cultivars 'Blackie', 'Black Beauty', 'Marguerite', and 'Pink Frost' (Tricolor) were good landscape performers. Performance of 'Summer Frost', a white and green variegated cultivar, was not acceptable. Ninety-six rose cultivars in the All-America Rose Display Garden at Burden Research Plantation were rated for defoliation from natural black spot infections. Cultivars were arranged in a randomized block design with two replications of five plants each. Three fungicide spray applications were made during May to June that alternated Daconil 2787 and Funginex. Insecticides were applied as needed for aphid and mite control. Irrigation was as needed through a drip line equipped with spray emitters. Rainfall from January through June totaled 14.6 inches, which was 15 inches below the 30-year average for the period. Visual defoliation ratings were made on 26 June 2000. Black spot disease pressure was intense even though rainfall was only half the normal. No Significant amounts of
powdery mildew or Dothiorella petal blight occurred during the test period. Significant differences in black spot severity were observed among cultivars with 'Knock Out', `Chrysler Imperial', `Carefree Delight', `Marmalade Skies', `Baby Blanket', `Glowing Peace', and `Shining Hour' showing the least disease. `Brite Lights', `Child's Play' and `Grand Masterpiece' were the most severely infected.
Impacts
The increasing popularity of urban gardening warranted an evaluation of leaf lettuce cultivars for the cool-season ornamental and vegetable garden. The objective of the research was to evaluate the suitability of different leaf lettuce cultivars for use as an "edible ornamental" in the small-scale urban garden. Ornamental sweet potatoes have considerable potential for commercial and residential landscape use in Louisiana. Industry confusion over the sweet potato weevil quarantine and a lack of landscape performance data has slowed acceptance and expansion of plant use. Additional information on the landscape performance of ornamental sweet potato will increase the ability to make recommendations pertinent to nursery production and landscape use. The amount of fungicides required to grow good roses in the South can be significantly reduced by selecting rose cultivars with the highest resistance to black spot.
Publications
- Bates, D. and Witcher, A. 2000. Performance of Leaf Lettuce Cultivars. LSU AgCenter Vegetable Research Summary 2000. 124:22-24
- Owings, A., Bates, D. and Crnko, S. 2000. Landscape Performance of Ornamental Sweet Potato Cultivars. SNA Reearch Conference Proc. 45:432-434.
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