Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Medium composition effects on growth of blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella) Foug. were determined during container (greenhouse) production and subsequent field plantings. At 10 weeks, plant height and shoot dry weight were greater for plants grown in the compost-based medium or compost alone than for plants grown in the peat-based medium. However, incorporation of compost in the medium did not affect growth index, leaf greenness, flowering, root mass, or post performance in the landscape.
Impacts
This study suggests that compost may serve as a viable alternative substrate for peat in the production of ornamental species native to Florida.
Publications
- Wilson, S.B., P.J. Stoffella, L.K. Mecca, and D.A. Graetz. 2004. Compost utilization for containerized production of ornamental hammock species native to Florida. J. Native Plants. (In press).
- Zhang, M.K., Z.L. He, P.J. Stoffella, D.V. Calvert, X.E. Yang, Y.P. Xia, and S.B. Wilson. 2004. Solubility of phosphorus and heavy metals in potting media amended with yard waste-biosolids compost. J. Environ. Quality. 33:373-379.
- Wilson, S.B., L.K. Mecca, and P.J. Stoffella. 2004. Evaluation of compost as a viable medium amendment for containerized perennial production. Acta Hort. 659:697-706.
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Progress 09/15/01 to 09/14/04
Outputs
Three shrubs native to Florida, pineland privet [Forestiera segregata var. pinetorum (Small) M.C. Johnst.], Simpson's stopper [Myrcianthes fragrans (Sw.) McVaugh], and Walter's viburnum (Viburnum obovatum Walter), were container grown in a peat- or compost-based medium for 18 weeks. The formulated compost-based medium had lower initial moisture, pH, total porosity, and container capacity; and higher bulk and particle density than the other media. The compost-based medium and un-amended compost both had higher levels of N, P, K, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe than the peat-based medium. Regardless of species, incorporation of compost in the medium did not affect plant height or shoot dry weight. Although growth indices of Walter's viburnum and pineland privet were similar among media, Simpson's stopper had 24% greater growth index than plants grown in peat-based media. Root dry weights of Walter's viburnum grown in peat or compost-based media were 30 to 50% greater than that of
plants grown in un-amended compost. Regardless of species, when grown out in the landscape for an additional 32 weeks, initial container medium did not affect subsequent plant height, growth index, stem caliper, or visual quality.
Impacts
The objectives of this investigation were to develop a compost-based medium suitable for container production of native shrubs, and to evaluate their subsequent field establishment. Three species were chosen for this study based on their ornamental value, tolerance of a wide range of growing conditions, and consumer availability. Each native species grown in compost or compost-based media grew as well as or better than those in peat-based media. More importantly, the media composition did not affect subsequent field establishment or landscape performance. As the cost of peat continues to rise due to increases in transportation and mining expenses, utilization of horticultural grade compost is commercially warranted. These results suggest that compost can serve as a viable alternative to peat for containerized native shrub production.
Publications
- S.B. Wilson, L.K. Mecca, H.E. Danielson, D.A. Graetz, and P.J. Stoffella. 2005. Container and Field-evaluation of Three Native Shrubs Grown in Compost-based Media. Compost Science and Utilization. Submitted.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 10/01/03
Outputs
Objectives: 1. Evaluate physical and chemical characteristics and nutrient composition of BYW compost and PL compost as well as the peat-based mix. Formulate a compost based mix with similar physical properties to the commercial peat-based mix. 2. Evaluate nutrient effects on ornamental plant growth development and to determine the leaching (quantity and N concentration) on different mixtures under different nitrogen levels. 3. Perform production-cost estimates for alternative organic-based potting media for tropical/sub-tropical ornamental production systems. Approach: Four ornamental species, butterfly sage (Cordia globosa), firebush (Hamelia patens), scorpions tail (Heliotropium angiospermum), and tropical sage (Salvia coccinea) were transplanted in containers filled with a biosolid: yard waste compost, a commercial peat-based mix, or a formulated compost-based mix (4:5:1, compost:pine bark:sand, v:v:v). Non-technical Summary: Media, especially those containing
peat, is a major expense for commercial growers of container-grown ornamental species. Our data suggests that incorporation of compost (biosolid/yard waste) in a medium can provide a source of macro and micro nutrients with similar physical properties to that of a peat-based commercial mix. Initial analyses of the medium indicated that compost alone had higher pH, electrical conductivity (EC), N, P, K, Ca, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al, Fe and B; and similar air-filled porosity (AFP) and C contents than the peat or compost-based media. Plants, regardless of species, grown in compost or a compost-based medium had improved or similar plant growth to plants grown in the peat-based commercial mix. Shoot and root growth of all species, except for S. coccinea and plant height for all species, except for H. angiospermum from plants grown in compost or compost-based media were improved as compared with plants grown in the peat-based commercial media.
Impacts
This study suggests that compost may serve as a viable alternative substrate for peat in the production of ornamental species native to Florida.
Publications
- Wilson, P.C., S.B. Wilson, and P.J. Stoffella. 2003. Pesticide screening in a commercial yard waste:biosolid compost. Compost Science & Utilization. 11:282-288.
- Zhang, M.K., Z.L. He, P.J. Stoffella, D.V. Calvert, X.E. Yang, Y.P. Xia, and S.B. Wilson. 2003. Solubility of phosphorus and heavy metals in potting media amended with yard waste-biosolids compost. J. Environ. Quality. In press.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 10/01/02
Outputs
Three perennial species, wine sage (Salvia `Van Houttei' Sell x roenen Schultes), blue anise sage (Salvia gauranitica St.-Hil. Ex Benth.`Black and Blue'), and indigo spires sage (Salvia `Indigo Spires') (S. longispicata Martius Galeotti x Salvia farinacea Benth.) were transplanted in containers filled with a biosolid:yard waste compost, a commercial peat-based mix, or a mixture of compost:peat-based mix (1:1, v:v) and grown under ebb and flow, drip, or manual irrigation systems. Initial physical, chemical, and elemental analyses of the media indicated that compost alone had higher pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total porosity (TP), bulk density (BD), particle density (PD), N, C, P, Ca, Zn, Cu, Fe and B; lower initial moisture, Mg and Al; and similar Mn contents than did the 100% peat-based medium. Heavy metal (Cd and Pb) contents of compost did not exceed EPA 503 Rule limits for biosolid usage. After six weeks, plants were measured for leaf nutrient content, growth
(leaf and stem dry weights, stem lengths), and quality (number of flowers, leaf greenness, and subjective quality ratings). At six weeks, plants grown in 50% or 100% compost generally had higher leaf K, P, and Mn; similar N and Ca; and lower Mg, Fe, and Al content than plants grown in the 100% peat-based medium. Plants grown in media amended with compost generally produced similar or slightly smaller plants (stem weight, leaf weight, and stem length) than when grown in peat-based media. Plants irrigated by ebb and flow resulted in higher (S. `Van Houttei') or similar (S. `Indigo Spires', S. gauranitica) dry stem weights than plants irrigated manually or with drip irrigation. Plants grown in compost had leaf SPAD readings (leaf greenness), number of flowers, and visual quality ratings that were generally similar (S. gauranitica; S. `Indigo Spires') or slightly reduced (S. `Van Houttei ') than plants grown in peat-based media. However, for each species (except for S. `Van Houttei' grown
in 50% compost using drip irrigation), plants were of marketable quality, regardless of irrigation system or medium.
Impacts
This study suggests that compost may serve as a viable alternative substrate for peat in the production of containerized perennials using ebb and flow, manual, or drip irrigation systems.
Publications
- Wilson, S.B., P.J. Stoffella, and D.A. Graetz. 2002. Compost Amended Media and Irrigation System Influence Containerized Perennial Salvia. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. In press.
- Wilson, S.B., P.J. Stoffella, and D.A. Graetz. 2002. Development of compost-based media for containerized perennials. Sci. Hortic. 93:311-320.
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