Source: MICHIGAN STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR ORNAMENTAL NURSERY PRODUCTION
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0191575
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jan 1, 2012
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2016
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824
Performing Department
Horticulture
Non Technical Summary
Container nursery crops require frequent irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide applications to maintain crop growth and marketable quality. As a result of frequent, inefficient irrigation, production runoff often contains higher amounts of agrichemicals and pathogens that negatively impact water reuse and/or contaminate surrounding waters. Therefore, irrigation water management is a key component in reducing the impact of runoff water on local water systems and on-site recycled water. The volume of runoff and movement of nutrients in the runoff stream is reduced when irrigation is applied based on plant need rather than a set time period or amount without affecting plant growth. Additionally, minor short-term deficit irrigation did not negatively affect plant growth and could be used along with timing of pesticide application to reduce pesticides in the runoff stream. National emerging legislative constraints on water use and impacts on quality means that the nursery industry needs to find ways to use and manage alternative water sources without impacting from production schedules and sacrificing crop quality. There are four primary water sources available for ornamental production: groundwater, surface water, reclaimed water, and recycled tailwater from runoff. All of these water sources can have quality issues that require management before they can be used for plant production. Water sources are also being contaminated by infiltration of contaminants from nearby industrial, urban, and agricultural operations. In other regions of the U.S. groundwater is impaired by natural geological features, making water alkaline (Michigan), sodic, and/or saline (Michigan). Surface water is especially vulnerable to contamination since it has no protective over-layer of soil. Surface water supplies are becoming use-restricted in various parts of the U.S. In some areas of the country, due to increased demand for freshwater, agriculture is being forced to use alternative water sources, such as reclaimed or recycled water, which may have quality management issues. Therefore research is needed to develop technologies to mitigate harmful contaminants (natural or anthropogenic), modify horticultural practices, and/or develop or choose crops that are more tolerant of lower quality water. End-of-life of agricultural plastics is a major concern for society since their primary fate is as on-site disposed agricultural waste or in landfills as a portion of the municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2008 in the U.S., 30.05 million pounds of plastics were part of MSW of which only 2.12 millions pounds (7.05%) were recycled or their energy recovered; the remaining ~93% end up in landfills. Containers and other plastics designed from sustainable polymers with properties that can be properly recovered after their useful life can reduce waste. Most used polymers are difficult to recover since they are contaminated at the end of their useful life with debris, pesticides, and other pollutants. Use of biodegradable and/or compostable polymers could avoid the landfill disposal of most of these polymers through composting or on-site biodegradation.
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
1020199102010%
1110210106030%
1330210106015%
2042199102030%
4035399106015%
Knowledge Area
403 - Waste Disposal, Recycling, and Reuse; 204 - Plant Product Quality and Utility (Preharvest); 133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; 102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water;

Subject Of Investigation
2199 - Ornamentals and turf, general/other; 5399 - Structures, facilities, and equipment, general/other; 0210 - Water resources; 0199 - Soil and land, general;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
The goals of this project are to improve sustainable practices in nursery production while maintaining or improving nursery productivity and plant quality. Specific objectives are: 1. Determine plant water use requirements in order to properly schedule irrigation and provide information on grouping plants to more efficiently use irrigation in mixed production systems. 2. Reduce runoff volume and contaminants carried in runoff. Quantify reductions in runoff water and contaminant transport by implementing water conservation techniques. Investigate methods to reduce contaminants in capture/recycle water impoundments. 3. Investigate alternative materials for nursery containers. Characterize important structural properties and end-of-life scenarios. 4. Investigate alternative plastics for use in nurseries, e.g. biodegradable films for overwintering structures.
Project Methods
Objective 1: An automated irrigation system has been developed to determine DWU, calculate the appropriate irrigation volume to apply, and control the irrigation system to apply the irrigation on a daily basis using real-time data and will be used to control irrigation. Research will investigate how many days of deficit irrigation (below 100%DWU) can be used without affecting plant growth and quality. Deficit irrigation is important in regard to water conservation and runoff water quality. Commonly grown nursery plants will be grown in 3 gallon containers in a standard potting substrate. Daily irrigation treatments will be 1. 100% DWU (control), 2. alternating every other day 100% DWU with 75% DWU, 3. a 3-day cycle of 1 day at 100% DWU, 2 days at 75% DWU, 4. a 4-day cycle of 1 day at 100% DWU, 3 days at 75% DWU. Longer or more intensive deficit irrigation will be investigated if appropriate. Growth index, leachate pH and EC, plant dry weight and a visual quality rating will be used to determine plant performance and irrigation treatment affects on substrate properties. Objective 2: An experimental nursery with nursery beds graded to drain in one direction will be used. At the end of each bed is a capture basin for runoff volume determination and water sample collection. Immediately after the capture basins are larger basins in which remediation treatments can be tested. Plants will be grown on the nursery beds using standard nursery practices. Targeted chemicals will be nitrate, phosphorus, and pesticides likely to move in the runoff stream. Irrigation will be applied using the automated system as above. Irrigation rates initially will be as described for objective 1. Number of days at 75% DWU will be modified if appropriate based on objective 1. Runoff volume and water samples will be taken on the day of application and for the next 3 days with a final sample 8 days after application (total 5 samples per pesticide application). Samples from one of the days will be analyzed for nitrate and phosphorus. Pesticides will be applied several times per year. Water will be analyzed for nutrients and pesticides. Growth index, leachate pH and EC, plant dry weight and a quality rating will be used to determine plant performance. Objective 3: A SCRI project is investigating alternative fiber containers to the standard plastic nursery containers. Monthly physical properties and final biodegradability and compostability using ASTM and ISO of the containers are being determined over a typical production period. Plant performance, substrate pH and electrical conductivity and plant DWU as affected by container type are being determined. Objective 4: Funding is being sought to investigate performance of biodegradable films for use in nursery overwintering structures. Sections of standard films will be compared to biodegradable films on hoophouses during the winter months with monthly samples taken to determine physical properties. Similar data as Objective 1 will be taken to characterize film physical properties. Films will be evaluated for biodegradability and compostability at the end of use according to ASTM and ISO standards.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Nursery producers. Graduate students in horticulture, agricultural sciences and environmental sciences. Undergradaute students in horticulture, agricultural sciences and environmental sciences. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A graduate student is in his second year and is making excellent progress toward his career goals and dissertation. An undergraduate student has transitioned from providing labor only to conducting her own research project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presentations were made to the Michigan Great Lakes Trade Expo (2) and the national AmericanHort Conference (2). Presentations were also made to local nursery groups in west Michigan. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A research nursery has been developed to investigate methods to 1. reduce water use through irrigation systems and timing, 2. capture, recycle and remediate runoff water and determine how each source affects plant production, 3. determine how different irrigation treatments will affect runoff of nutrients and pesticides, 4. determine the effects of subsurface bioreactors on nutrients and pesticided in runoff. Benchtop bioreactors have been developed to investigate specific interactions of pesticide and microorganisms to determine if any deleterious effects might occur

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Palma, M.A., B.K. Behe, C.R. Hall, P.T. Huddleston, and R.T. Fernandez. 2016. Tracking position premiums in discrete choice experiments. Applied Economics Letters DOI 10.1080/13504851.2016.1150941
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Behe, B. K., Huddleston, P. T., Bae, M., Fernandez, R. T., Palma, M., & Hall, C. R. 2015. The effect of involvement on visual attention and product choice. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 24(5), 10-21
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Pershey, N.A., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg and J.A. Andresen. 2015. Irrigating based on daily water use reduces nursery effluent volume and nutrient load without reducing growth of four conifers. HortScience 50:1553-1561


Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience is wholesale container plant producers, extension and outreach agents/specialists, retail garden center professionals. Changes/Problems:The SCRI proposal to investigate RFID was not funded. Research will be scaled back to what can be accomplished with funds received from other sources. Weather has delayed establishment of research nursery for the Water3 SCRI proposal. We anticipate that we will be able to establish the research nursery before the end of 2015. Bench-top systems will be used in greenhouses this winter to help advance our understanding of the effectiveness of remediation treatments that would have been accomplished in the research nursery this summer. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Damon Abdi has joined the program as a graduate student to work toward a Ph.D. on the Clean Water3 project. Lindsay Daschner, Kyle Bindseil, and Ryan Gawronski, MSU undergraduates, have worked on the RFID project. Deborah Trelstad, MSU undergraduate, assists with both projects but primarily Clean Water3 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presentations have been made to Michigan, national, and international nursery industry members and the scientific community updating them on research results related to alternative containers, water conserving irrigation practices and reducing nutrient movement in runoff. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Clean Water3 SCRI project has been started to research improving water quality in recapture/retention basins for container plant production systems. Research to investigate RFID for decision support and logistics to scale-up sensor based irrigation management systems to the whole-farm level will be continued.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The USDA NIFA SCRI grant Clean WateR3 - Reduce, Remediate, Recycle: Informed Decision-Making to Facilitate Use of Alternative Water Resources and Promote Sustainable Specialty Crop Production was funded. We will be investigating methods to reduce runoff water volume and improve quality for recycling, reuse or release. A new graduate student has been recruited and experimental systems developed. A HRI grant has been funded to investigate the feasibilty of RFID for nursery and greenhouse production. We intend to conduct further research to investigate the ability to use RFID as a technique for adopting precision agriculture (immobile plants) methods to container production (a system where plants are mobile).

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Brumfield, R.G., A.J. DeVincentis, X. Wang, R.T. Fernandez, S. Nambuthiri, R.L. Geneve, A.K. Koeser, G. Bi, G. Niu, D. Cochran, A. Fulcher. 2015. Economics of utilizing alternative containers in ornamental crop production systems. HortTechnol. 25:17-25 (Special Issue)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Li, T., G. Bi, G. Niu, S. Nambuthiri, R. Geneve, X. Wang, R.T. Fernandez, Y. Sun, X. Zhao. 2015. Feasibility of using biocontainers in a pot-in-pot system for nursery production of river birch. HortTechnol. 25:57-62 (Special Issue)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Nambuthiri, S., R.L. Geneve, Y. Sun, X. Wang, R.T. Fernandez, G. Niu, G. Bi, A. Fulcher. 2015. Substrate temperature in black plastic, wood pulp, keratin, and fabric nursery containers. HortTechnol. 25:50-56 (Special Issue)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wang, W., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, R. Auras, A. Fulcher, D.R. Cochran, G. Niu, Y. Sun, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, R.L.Geneve. 2015. Multi-state evaluation of plant growth and water use in plastic and alternative nursery containers. HortTechnol. 25:42-49 (Special Issue)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Pershey, N.A., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg and J.A. Andresen. in-press. Irrigating based on daily water use reduces nursery effluent volume and nutrient load without reducing growth of four conifers. HortScience in-press


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience is wholesale container plant producers, extension and outreach agents/specialists, retail garden center professionals. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nicholas Pershey has successfully defending his Master's thesis on irrigation manatement related to Objectives 1 and 2. Results have been shared with stakeholders statewide, nationally and internationally regarding Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations have been made to Michigan, national, and international nursery industry members updating them on research results related to alternative containers, water conserving irrigation practices and reducing nutrient movement in runoff. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Presentations will be made at the 2015 ASHS conference in Orlando and the 2015 ISHS congress in Lleida Spain on irrigation practices for nursery production. New SCRI funded research projects will be started to research improving water quality in recapture/retention basins for container plant production systems. Research to investigate RFID for decision support and logistics to scale-up sensor based irrigation management systems to the whole-farm level will be continued. Additional funds will be sought from MSU Project GREEEN and HRI Foundation.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Plant performance in coir and pulp alternative containers were compared with standard HDPE containers. Water use, EC and pH of substrates was determined. Container physical properties were determined. Plant growth was not different between container types when irrigated based on water use. Water use was higher for coir and pulp containers, due to porous side walls, than HDPE containers. Final container plant mortality was nearly 100% due to the species being marginally hardy in Michigan and a record cold winter for 2013-2014.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Brumfield, R.G., A.J. DeVincentis, X. Wang, R.T. Fernandez, S. Nambuthiri, R.L. Geneve, A.K. Koeser, G. Bi, G. Niu, D. Cochran, A. Fulcher. 2014. Economics of utilizing alternative containers in ornamental crop production systems. HortTechnol. In-press
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Li, T., G. Bi, G. Niu, S. Nambuthiri, R. Geneve, X. Wang, R.T. Fernandez, Y. Sun, X. Zhao. 2014. Feasibility of using biocontainers in a pot-in-pot system for nursery production of river birch. HortTechnol. In-press
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Nambuthiri, S., R.L. Geneve, Y. Sun, X. Wang, R.T. Fernandez, G. Niu, G. Bi, A. Fulcher. 2014. Substrate temperature in black plastic, wood pulp, keratin, and fabric nursery containers. HortTechnol. In-press
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wang, W., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, R. Auras, A. Fulcher, D.R. Cochran, G. Niu, Y. Sun, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, R.L.Geneve. 2014. Multi-state evaluation of plant growth and water use in plastic and alternative nursery containers. HortTechnol. In-press


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience is wholesale container plant producers, extension and outreach agents/specialists, retail garden center professionals. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Xueni Wang has successfully defended a Masters of Science thesis based on objectives 1, 2 and 3. Adam Ingrao is starting a Ph.D. furthering objectives 1 and 2. Results have been shared with Michigan nursery stakeholders on alternative containers for outdoor nursery production including suitability of materials and differences in water use. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations have been made to Michigan nursery industry members updating them on research results related to alternative containers and water conserving irrigation practices. Publications have been developed and disseminated on the internet targeting wholesale nursery producers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? An invited presentation will be given at the Ohio Nursery Short Course on improving irrigation practices, decreasing runoff volume and nutrient load, and remediating agrichemical contaminants. An invited presentation will be given at the American Hort Short Course on Improving Operation Profitability Via Wise Water Use. The presentation is coordinated between MSU, University of Georgia and University of Maryland to educate national stakeholders on improved irrigation practices and technology to ease implementation of more complicated irrigation management strategies. Presentations will be made at the 2014 ASHS conference in Orlando and the 2014 ISHS congress in Brisbane, Australia on alternative containers for nursery production. New research projects will be started to research improving water quality in recapture/retention basins for container plant production systems. Another new research project will be started to investigate the use of RFID for decision support and logistics to scale-up sensor based irrigation management systems to the whole-farm level. Funds will be sought from USDA SCRI for these projects as well as MSU Project GREEEN and HRI Foundation.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Plant water use requirements were determined for an additional 6 taxa of container-grown ornamental shrubs bringing our total database to approximately 70 taxa. Objective 2: Runoff water volume and nutrient load (nitrate, phosphate) was reduced in experimental nursery plots for plants irrigated based on plant daily water use or deficit irrigation rates. Objective 3: Plant performance in coir and pulp alternative containers were compared with standard HDPE containers. Water use, EC and pH of substrates was determined. Container physical properties were determined. Plant growth was not different between container types when irrigated based on water use. Water use was higher for coir and pulp containers, due to porous side walls, than HDPE containers. Final container performance and plant mortality will be taken in May 2014.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dudek, T.A. and R.T. Fernandez. 2013. Is plastic better than pulp containers for nursery plants? http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/is_plastic_better_than_pulp_containers_for_nursery_plants
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Behe, B.K., R.T. Fernandez, P.T. Huddleston, and S. Minahan. 2013. Practical field use of eye-tracking devices for consumer research in the retail environment. HortTechnology 23:517-524
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Taylor, A.J., R.T. Fernandez, P. Nzokou, and B.M. Cregg. 2013. Carbon isotope discrimination, gas exchange, and growth of container-grown conifers under cyclic irrigation. HortScience 48:848-854.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Behe, B. K., Campbell, B., Khachatryan, H., Hall, C., Dennis, J., Fernandez, T. and Huddleston, P. T. 2013. Consumers look at what is important. Paper presented at the 1st International Symposium on Horticulture, Economics, Marketing and Consumer Research. August 19-21, 2013. Portland, OR
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Li, T., G. Bi, G. Niu, S. Nambuthiri, R.L. Geneve, X. Wang, R.T. Fernandez, A. Fulcher, Y. Sun. 2013. Use of biocontainers in pot-in-pot nursery production system. 2013 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. HortScience 48:S48 (Abstr.)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, X., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, M. Ngouajio, R. Auras, J.P. Albano. 2013. Sensor integrated automatic irrigation system to reduce runoff and nutrient loss without affecting plant growth. 2013 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. HortScience 48:S259 (Abstr.)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, X., R.T. Fernandez, G. Bi, A. Fulcher, R.L. Geneve, G. Niu, S. Verlinden, B.M. Cregg, M. Ngouajio. 2013. Plant growth and water use in plastic, fiber, keratin, and Root Pouch containers. 2013 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. HortScience 48:S108 (Abstr.)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: White, S.A., J.S. Owen, Jr., J. Majsztrick, R.T. Fernandez, P.R. Fisher, C.R. Hall, T.A. Irani, J.D. Lea-Cox, J. Newman, L.R. Oki. 2013. Containment, remediation, and recycling of irrigation water for sustainable ornamental crop production: Results of a SCRI Planning Grant. 2013 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. HortScience 48:S264 (Abstr.)
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fulcher, A. and R.T. Fernandez. 2013. Sustainable nursery irrigation management: Part 1. Water use in nursery production. Univ. TN CES W278, https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W278.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fernandez, R.T. 2013. Irrigating substrates to improve nutrient retention and plant growth. 2013 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. HortScience 48:S100 (Abstr.) Invited Workshop Presentation
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fernandez, R.T. 2013. Pesticides in recycled water: What are the issues? 2013 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. HortScience 48:S101 (Abstr.) Invited Workshop Presentation
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Nambuthiri, S., R.L. Geneve, G. Niu, Y. Sun, G. Bi, R.T. Fernandez, X. Wang. 2013. Impact of container material on substrate heat buildup in an outdoor nursery. 2013 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. HortScience 48:S45 (Abstr.)
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fulcher, A. and R.T. Fernandez. 2013. Sustainable nursery irrigation management: Part 2. Strategies to increase efficiency. Univ. TN CES W 279, https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W279.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fulcher, A. and R.T. Fernandez. 2013. Sustainable nursery irrigation management: Part 3. Strategies to manage nursery runoff. Univ. TN CES W280, https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W280.pdf


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research on water conservation for container grown woody ornamentals has continued by investigating daily water use requirements of 4 commonly used shrubs. Analysis of previous 5 years research on 52 additional shrubs was updated. Research was continued to determine effect of water conserving irrigation rates on volume of runoff and movement of nitrates and phosphates in runoff from research scale container nursery beds. These research projects are part of Nick Pershey's and Xueni Wang's master of science thesis project. Information from these projects has been disseminated to grower groups at a grower event in Southwest Michigan. Results from the 2011 were presented at the 2012 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, the 2012 Land and Sea Grant National Water Conference and the 2012 International Society for Horticultural Science Symposium on Woody Ornamentals of the Temperate Zone. Presentation abstracts for 2012 results are planned or submitted for national and international conferences in 2013. We are in the second year of a new project investigating alternative containers to traditional plastic nursery containers as part of Wang's master of science. Data on container effects on irrigation requirement, plant performance, container performance, and container biodegradability was taken. Statistical analysis of the data is completed for 2011 data. A new project has begun to investigate consumer perceptions of sustainable practices using eye-tracking technology. This is being conducted with cooperators in Texas and Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Fernandez, R.T.: PI for water conservation, runoff quality project; Andresen, J.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Cregg, B.M.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Pershey, N.: master of science graduate student for water conservation, runoff quality and assisted with alternative container project; Wang, X.: master of science graduate student for water conservation, runoff quality and alternative container project; Auras, R.: collaborator for alternative container project; Ngouajio, M.: committee member and collaborator for alternative container project; Kijchavengkul, T.: postdoc (under myself and Auras) for biodegradable plastics and alternative container projects. Two graduate students have received training (Pershey and Wang, X.). Several undergraduates have assisted in the research projects; Behe, B.K., Hall, C. (Texas A and M University), Huddleston, P., Minahan, S. (Deakin Graduate School of Business, Australia), Palma, M.(Texas A and M University): collaborators for consumer perceptions/eye-tracking project, Behe lead PI TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences: nursery growers, undergraduate and graduate students. Information has been presented to nursery growers in the form of presentations and trade journal publications. Information has been included in class lecture information for the MSU Nursery Management course. Opportunities will continue for direct graduate and undergraduate student involvement on this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The water conservation projects have increased our knowledge of irrigation practices for container nursery crops. Most nurseries irrigate based on a quantity of water applied rather than by plant demand. The water conservation experiments indicate that irrigating based on plant daily water use (DWU) or alternating DWU with up to two subsequent irrigations of 75% DWU resulted in increased or no change in plant growth and reduced irrigation volume applied by 13 to 74% compared to a standard irrigation rate depending on taxa. Knowledge regarding reduced irrigation on runoff volume and quality has increased- less runoff occurred with lower irrigation rates as did lower quantities of nitrates and phosphates in runoff water. Biodegradable plastics can be developed for different situations (films, pots, etc.) based on identified characteristics and desired longevity. Three of the four alternative containers investigated so far have porous walls and require substantially more water than conventional plastic or solid-walled containers. The potential improvement in carbon footprint needs to be analyzed in relation to a decrease in water management and related water quality. Additional data for the alternative containers is still being collected and analyzed.

Publications

  • Ingram, D.L. and R.T. Fernandez. 2012. Life Cycle Assessment: A tool for determining the environment impact of horticultural crop production. HortTech. 22:275-279
  • Klooster, W.S., B.M. Cregg, R.T. Fernandez, and P. Nzokou. 2012. Growth and physiology of deciduous shade trees in response to controlled-release fertilizer. Sci. Hortic. 135:71-79.
  • Fernandez, R.T. and T.A. Dudek. 2012. Conducting a water application uniformity evaluation for a micro irrigation system in the nursery. MSUE Factsheet 6-28.
  • Dudek, T.A. and R.T. Fernandez. 2012. Conducting a water application uniformity evaluation for an overhead sprinkler irrigation system in the nursery. MSUE Factsheet 6-4.
  • Nambuthiri, S., R. Geneve, T. Fernandez, A. Fulcher, A. Koeser, G. Bi, M. Evans, G. Niu, N. Pershey, R. Stewart, S. Verlinden, and X. Wang. 2012. Substrate heat buildup and evaporation rate differs between plastic and alternative one gallon nursery containers. In: Proc. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 57:60-62.
  • Fernandez, R.T., A.L. Warsaw, N.A. Pershey, X. Wang, A. Lynn-Vogel, B.M. Cregg, J.A. Andresen and J. Albano. 2012. Irrigation management to conserve water and reduce runoff nutrient load for container production nurseries. ISHS Symposium on Woody Ornamentals of the Temperate Zone. Ghent, Belgium. http://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be/woodyornamentals2012/ISHS/Programme/Pro grammeatglance/tabid/4872/Default.aspx.
  • Behe, B.K., P.T. Huddleston, R.T. Fernandez, S. Minahan, K. Getter. 2012. Caught you looking: Using eye-tracking to assess customer attention to retail displays. European Institute of Retailing and Service Studies. Vienna, Austria.
  • Fulcher, A., G. Niu, G. Bi, M. Evans, T. Fernandez, R. Geneve, A. Koeser, S. Nambuthiri, N. Pershey, R. Stewart, S. Verlinden, and X. Wang. 2012. Assessing biocontainers and a sustainable irrigation regime for the US nursery industry. In: Proc. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 57:73-77.
  • Wang, X., R.T. Fernandez, G. Bi, A. Fulcher, R. Geneve, G. Niu, S. Verlinden, B. Cregg, M. Ngouajio, T. Kijchavengkul, R. Auras, S. Nambuthiri and R. Conneway. 2012. Performance of alternative containers and plant growth and water use of euonymus fortuneii. 2012 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Maimi, FL. HortScience 47:S90. (Abstr.)
  • Wang, X., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, M. Ngouajio, R. Auras and J. Albano. 2012. Irrigation based on plant daily water use conserves water without affecting plant growth. 2012 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Maimi, FL. HortScience 47:S220. (Abstr.)
  • Behe, B.K., A. Jones, R.T. Fernandez, K. Getter, and P. Huddleston. 2012. Do You See What I See Eye-tracking research shows where consumers look in holiday plant displays. 2012 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Maimi, FL. HortScience 47:S98. (Abstr.)
  • Warsaw, A.L., R.T. Fernandez, D.R. Kort, C. Vandervoort, B.M. Cregg, and D.B. Rowe. 2012. Remediation of metalaxyl, trifluralin, and nitrates from nursery runoff using container-grown woody ornamentals. Ecological Engineering 47:254-263
  • Nambuthiri, S., R. Geneve, R.T. Fernandez, G. Bi, G. Niu, A. Fulcher N. Pershey and X. Wang. 2012. Use of fiber containers does not affect water use or plant growth compared to plastic containers for Pot-in-Pot production of birch. 2012 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Maimi, FL. HortScience 47:S218. (Abstr.)
  • Cregg, B.M., D. Ellison, R.T. Fernandez, and P. Nzokou. 2012. Nutrient and biomass accumulation of container-grown landscape trees with controlled release and organic fertilizer. 2012 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Maimi, FL. HortScience 47:S91. (Abstr.)
  • Wang, X., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, J.P. Albano, M. Ngouajio, and R. Auras. 2012. Scheduling irrigation of container grown woody ornamentals to conserve water and manage runoff. 2012 Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR. http://www.usawaterquality.org/conferences/2012/abstract_index.html#W


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research on water conservation for container grown woody ornamentals has continued by investigating daily water use requirements of 16 commonly used shrubs. Analysis of previous 5 years research on 36 additional shrubs was updated. Research was also conducted to determine effect of water conserving irrigation rates on volume of runoff and movement of nitrates and phosphates in runoff from research scale container nursery beds. These research projects are part of Nick Pershey's and Xueni Wang's master of science thesis project. Aaron Lynn-Vogel is working on part of the runoff project for an undergraduate research project. Information from these projects has been disseminated to grower groups at 5 grower events in Michigan. Results from the 2010 were presented at the 2011 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference and the 2011 Land and Sea Grant National Water Conference. Presentation abstracts for 2011 results are planned or submitted for a national and international conference in 2012. Investigations into biodegradable plastics has continued. Characteristics of films suitable for producing plastics to withstand various environmental conditions has been identified. A new project has commenced on alternative containers to traditional plastic nursery containers as part of Wang's master of science. Data on container effects on irrigation requirement, plant performance, container performance, and container biodegradability was taken. Statistical analysis of the data will occur in early 2012. PARTICIPANTS: Fernandez, R.T.: PI for water conservation, runoff quality project; Andresen, J.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Cregg, B.M.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Pershey, N.: master of science graduate student for water conservation, runoff quality and assisted with alternative container project; Wang, X.: master of science graduate student for water conservation, runoff quality and alternative container project; Lynn-Vogel, A.: undergraduate researcher for runoff quality project; Rubino, M.: collaborator for biodegradable plastics project and alternative container project; Auras, R.: collaborator for alternative container project and PI for biodegradable plastics project; Ngouajio, M.: committee member and collaborator for alternative container project and collaborator for biodegradable plastics project; Kijchavengkul, T.: postdoc (under myself and Auras) for biodegradable plastics and alternative container projects. Two graduate students have received training (Pershey and Wang, X.). Several undergraduates have assisted in the research projects. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences: nursery growers, vegetable growers, undergraduate and graduate students. Information has been presented to nursery and vegetable growers in the form of workshops, presentations, and trade journal publications. Information has been included in class lecture information for the MSU Nursery Management course. Opportunities will continue for direct graduate and undergraduate student involvement on this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The water conservation projects have increased our knowledge of irrigation practices for container nursery crops. Most nurseries irrigate based on a quantity of water applied rather than by plant demand. The water conservation experiments indicate that irrigating based on plant daily water use (DWU) or alternating DWU with up to two subsequent irrigations of 75% DWU resulted in increased or no change in plant growth and reduced irrigation volume applied by 13 to 74% compared to a standard irrigation rate depending on taxa. Knowledge regarding reduced irrigation on runoff volume and quality has increased- less runoff occurred with lower irrigation rates as did lower quantities of nitrates and phosphates in runoff water. Biodegradable plastics can be developed for different situations (films, pots, etc.) based on identified characteristics and desired longevity. Data for the alternative containers is still being analyzed.

Publications

  • Kijchavengkul, T., R. Auras, M. Rubino, S. Selke, M. Ngouajio, R. T. Fernandez. 2011. Formulation selection of aliphatic aromatic biodegradable polyester film exposed to UF/solar radiation. Polymer Degrad. Stabil. 96:1919-1926.
  • Pershey, N., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, J.A. Andresen, W. Northcott. 2011 Nursery runoff water nutrient content and volume and plant growth of four conifer taxa subjected to four irrigation treatments. 2011 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Waikoloa, HI
  • Pershey, N., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, J.A. Andresen, W. Northcott. 2011 Nursery runoff water nutrient content and volume and plant growth of four conifer taxa subjected to four irrigation treatments. 2011 Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Washington, D.C.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research on water conservation for container grown woody ornamentals has continued by investigating daily water use requirements of 8 commonly used shrubs. Analysis of previous 4 years research on 30 additional shrubs was updated. Research was also conducted to determine effect of water conserving irrigation rates on volume of runoff and movement of nitrates and phosphates in runoff from research scale container nursery beds. This research was part of Nicholas Pershey's master of science thesis project. Information from this project has been disseminated to grower groups at 4 grower meetings in Michigan and Indiana. Results from the 2009 year were presented at the American Society for Horticultural Science 2010 annual conference. Investigations into biodegradable plastics has continued. Characteristics of films suitable for producing plastics to withstand various environmental conditions has been identified. PARTICIPANTS: Fernandez, R.T.: PI for water conservation, runoff quality project; Andresen, J.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Cregg, B.M.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Pershey, N.: master of science graduate student for water conservation, runoff quality project; Rubino, M.: collaborator for biodegradable plastics project; Auras, R.: PI for biodegradable plastics project; Ngouajio, M.: collaborator for biodegradable plastics project; Kijchavengkul, T.: Ph.D. graduate student (under Auras) for biodegradable plastics project. Two graduate students have received training (Pershey and Kijchavengkul, Ph.D. earned in 2010). Several undergraduates have assisted in the research projects. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences: nursery growers, vegetable growers, undergraduate and graduate students. Information has been presented to nursery and vegetable growers in the form of workshops, presentations, and trade journal publications. Information has been included in class lecture information for the MSU Nursery Management course. One graduate student has earned his Ph.D in 2010. Opportunities will continue for direct graduate student involvement on this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The water conservation projects have increase our knowledge of irrigation practices for container nursery crops. Most nurseries irrigate based on a quantity of water applied rather than by plant demand. The water conservation experiments indicate that irrigating based on plant daily water use (DWU) or alternating DWU with up to two subsequent irrigations of 75% DWU resulted in increased or no change in plant growth. Knowledge regarding reduced irrigation on runoff volume an quality has increased- less runoff occurred with lower irrigation rates as did lower quantities of nitrates and phosphates in runoff water. Biodegradable plastics can be developed for different situations (films, pots, etc.) based on identified characteristics and desired longevity.

Publications

  • Pershey, N., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, J.A. Andresen and W. Northcott. 2010. Scheduling irrigation based on plant daily water use conserves water without decreasing growth of container-grown ornamental shrubs. HortScience 45:S57.
  • Fernandez, R.T. 2010. Moving towards sustainable low impact ornamental production: Industry water management practices. Invited symposium presentation, 2010 Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Hilton Head, SC.
  • Kijchavengkul, T., R. Auras, M. Rubino, S. Selke, M. Ngouajio, R. T. Fernandez. 2010. Biodegradation and hydrolysis rate of aliphatic aromatic polyester. Polymer Degrad. Stabil. 95:2641-2647.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research on water conservation for container grown woody ornamentals has continued by investigating daily water use requirements of 8 commonly used shrubs. Analysis of previous 3 years research on 24 additional shrubs was completed. Research was also conducted to determine effect of water conserving irrigation rates on volume of runoff and movement of nitrates and phosphates in runoff from research scale container nursery beds. This research was part of Aaron Warsaw's MS thesis, graduated Spring 2009, and will be part of a new master of science student's project. Information from this project has been disseminated to grower groups at 3 grower meetings. Results from the previous year were presented at the American Society of Horticultural Science 2009 annual conference. PARTICIPANTS: Fernandez, R.T.: PI for water conservation, runoff quality project; Andresen, J.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Cregg, B.M.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Northcott, W.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project; Warsaw, A.L. and Pershey, N.: master of science graduate students for water conservation, runoff quality project; Several undergraduates have assisted in the research projects. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences: nursery growers, undergraduate and graduate students. Information has been presented to nursery growers in the form of workshops, presentations, and trade journal publications. Information has been included in class lecture information for the MSU Nursery Management course. One graduate student has earned his master of science degree with this project and another has started his MS. Opportunities will continue for direct graduate student involvement on this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The irrigation projects have increase our knowledge of irrigation practices for container nursery crops. Most nurseries irrigate based on a quantity of water applied rather than by plant demand. The irrigation experiments indicate that irrigating based on plant daily water use (DWU) or alternating DWU with up to two subsequent irrigations of 75% DWU resulted in increased or no change in plant growth. Knowledge regarding reduced irrigation on runoff volume an quality has increased- less runoff occurred with lower irrigation rates as did lower quantities of nitrates and phosphates in runoff water.

Publications

  • Refereed Journal Articles: Warsaw, A.L., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg and J.A. Andresen. 2009. Water conservation, growth, and water use efficiency of container-grown woody ornamentals irrigated based on daily water use. HortScience 44:1573-1580. Warsaw, A.L., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg and J.A. Andresen. 2009. Container-grown ornamental plant growth and water runoff volume and nutrient content under four irrigation treatments. HortScience 44(5):1308-1318. Conference Proceedings: Fernandez, R.T. 2009. Irrigation distribution uniformity and efficiency for seedling nurseries. Northeastern Forest and Conservation Nursery Association, Grand Rapids, MI Fernandez, R.T., J. Lea-Cox, G. Zinati, C. Hong, R. Cabrera, D. Merhaut, J. Albano, M. van Iersel, T. Yeager and D. Buhler. 2009. NCDC216: A new multistate group for water management and quality for ornamental crop production and health. In: Proc. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference. 54:35-38. Abstracts: Cregg, B.M., A. Taylor, W. Klooster, R. T. Fernandez, and P. Nzokou. 2009. Growth and physiology of living Christmas trees in container production systems. 9th International Christmas Tree Research and Extension Conference. Aurora, OR. Fernandez, R.T., J. Lea-Cox, G. Zinati, C. Hong, R. Cabrera, D. Merhaut, J. Albano, M. van Iersel, T. Yeager, D. Buhler. 2009. NCDC216: A new multistate group for water management and quality for ornamental crop production and health. HortScience 44:962. Warsaw, A.L., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg and J.A. Andresen. 2009. Evapotranspiration and growth based models to estimate irrigation of container-grown Korean spiraea (Spiraea fritschiana 'Wilma') under four irrigation regimes. HortScience 44:937. Taylor, A., B.M. Cregg, R.T. Fernandez and P. Nzokou. 2009. Growth and physiology of living Christmas trees under cyclic irrigation. HortScience 44:962.


Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research on water conservation for container grown woody ornamentals has continued by investigating daily water use requirements of 5 commonly used shrubs. Analysis of previous 2 years research on 20 additional shrubs was completed. Research was also conducted to determine effect of water conserving irrigation rates on volume of runoff and movement of nitrates and phosphates in runoff from research scale container nursery beds. This research was part of my student's master of science thesis completed in December. Information from this project has been disseminated to grower groups at 2 grower meetings and to MSU extension personnel at an in-service training. It was also presented at the American Society of Horticultural Science 2008 annual conference. A cooperative project lead by Auras has investigated biodegradable plastics for use as films. Investigations into proper formulation for films to withstand environmental exposure expected during the desired use period have been conducted in field and lab simulations. I am serving on the Ph.D. committee of the student conducting this project. PARTICIPANTS: Fernandez, R.T.: PI for water conservation, runoff quality project Andresen, J.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project Cregg, B.M.: committee member and collaborator for water conservation, runoff quality project Warsaw, A.L.: master of science graduate student for water conservation, runoff quality project Rubino, M.: collaborator for biodegradable plastics project Auras, R.: PI for biodegradable plastics project Ngouajio, M.: collaborator for biodegradable plastics project Kijchavengkul, T.: Ph.D. graduate student (under Auras) for biodegradable plastics project Two graduate students have received training (Warsaw and Kijchavengkul). Several undergraduates have assisted in the research projects. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences: nursery growers, vegetable growers, undergraduate and graduate students. Information has been presented to nursery and vegetable growers in the form of workshops, presentations, and trade journal publications. Information has been included in class lecture information for the MSU Nursery Management course. One graduate student has earned his master of science degree with this project and one is pursuing a Ph.D. Opportunities will continue for direct graduate student involvement on this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The irrigation projects have increase knowledge of irrigation practices for container nursery crops. Most nurseries irrigate based on a quantity of water applied rather than by plant demand. The irrigation experiments indicate that irrigating based on plant daily water use (DWU) or alternating DWR with up to two subsequent irrigations of 75% DWU resulted in increased or no change in plant growth. Knowledge regarding reduced irrigation on runoff volume an quality has increased- less runoff occurred with lower irrigation rates as did lower quantities of nitrates and phosphates in runoff water. The biodegradable film project has demonstrated biodegradable films are viable for vegetable production. Modification of these films for use in nursery situations such as overwinter protection or pots is planned as this project progresses. Replacing low density polyethylene with biodegradable materials will reduce the amount of plastics being discarding and entering the solid waste stream.

Publications

  • JOURNAL ARTICLES: Ngouajio, M., Auras, R., Fernandez, R.T., Rubino, M.,Counts, Jr., J.W.and Kijchavengkul, T.. 2008. Field performance of aliphatic-aromatic copolyester biodegradable mulch films in a fresh market tomato production system. HortTech. 18:605-610.
  • Kijchavengkul, T., Auras, R., Rubino, M., Ngouajio, M., Fernandez, R.T. 2008. Assessment of biodegradable mulch films. Part II: Laboratory simulated conditions. Chemosphere 71:1607-1616.
  • Kijchavengkul, T., Auras, R., Rubino, M., Ngouajio, M., and Fernandez, R.T. 2008. Assessment of aliphatic-aromatic copolyester biodegradable mulch films. Part I: Field study. Chemosphere 71:942-953.
  • ABSTRACTS: Warsaw, A.L., Fernandez, R.T., Cregg, B.M. and Andresen, J.A. 2008. Water conservation and growth of container-grown woody ornamentals when irrigated based on daily water use. American Society for Horticultural Science 2008 Annual Conference. HortScience 43:1193
  • Warsaw, A.L., Fernandez, R.T., Cregg, B.M. and Andresen, J.A. 2008. Nitrate and phosphate concentrations in container nursery runoff from four overhead irrigation regimes. American Society for Horticultural Science 2008 Annual Conference. HortScience 43:1193
  • Warsaw, A.L., Fernandez, R.T., Cregg, B.M. and Andresen, J.A. 2008. Irrigation application according to plant demand for container nurseries. MNLA 2008 Great Lakes Trade Expo.
  • Kijchavengkul, T., Auras, R., Rubino, M., Selke, S., Ngouajio, M., Fernandez, R.T. 2008. Compostability of trash bags polymer under manure, yard, and food waste composts. 16th International Association of Packaging Research Institutes World Conference on Packaging, Bangkok, Thailand. June 8-12, 2008
  • Ngouajio, M., Auras, R., Fernandez, R.T., Rubino, M., Count, J. Kijchavengkul, T. 2008. Development of new biodegradable mulch films: Field performance with tomato production. 34th National Agricultural Plastics Conference, Tampa, FL. March 7-10, 2008
  • Kijchavengkul, T., Auras, R., Rubino, M., Ngouajio, M., Fernandez, R.T. 2008. Development of new biodegradable mulch films: Chemical, mechanical and optical properties. 34th National Agricultural Plastics Conference, Tampa, FL. March 7-10, 2008


Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The irrigation project reported on in 2006 was repeated in 2007 with 10 different taxa. Irrigation treatments were 1. control of 0.75 inches per day, 2. irrigation applied to replace 100% daily water requirement (DWR), 3. irrigation applications of 100% DWR alternating with 75% DWR, 4. irrigation applied on a three day cycle of 100%-75%-75% DWR. Plant response was evaluated by measuring: growth index; monthly gas exchange; pH and electrical conductivity; foliar nutrient analysis; leaf area; and internode length. Average water applied per day based on DWR was reduced by 25% or more compared to the control treatment for all taxa. Increase in growth index between treatments was not different for 8 out of the 10 taxa. For the other 2 taxa, growth index increase was greater for the 100 DWR than the Control for one and greater for the 100a75 than the Control for the other. An irrigation runoff experiment using the same irrigation treatments as above was also conducted. Volume of runoff water was collected 4 times during 2007 and analyzed for nitrate and phosphorous. Growth index, pH, and electrical conductivity were also collected. Water was conserved by 40% or more for the four taxa grown in the runoff collection experiment compared to control. Other data is currently being analyzed. Results thus far support that irrigating according to daily water requirement can conserve water and produce plants with the same and/or larger growth indices. Another project investigated new biodegradable mulch films for field vegetable production. Biodegradable mulch films were made from modified poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and included black and white films at two thicknesses. Conventional black low density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch film was included as control. The films were used to produce tomato. Changes in physical appearance, mechanical, optical and physical properties were measured. After tomato harvest, the conventional LDPE mulch film was removed and the biodegradable mulch films were plowed into the soil. Samples of each film after plowing were taken and characterized regarding the properties mentioned above and the presence of the biodegradable mulches was assessed the following spring. Early in the season, all the biodegradable films showed photodegradation and developed crosslink structures within the films. The white films degraded much faster than the black films. The black biodegradable film has potential as a promising alternative to conventional mulch film because of the lower reduction of the tensile strength and no changes in the light transmission. Only small amounts of residues from the first season films were found during the second season site preparation. Although used in a vegetable production system, a large amount of plastics are used in nursery production. Modification of this technology will benefit the nursery industry by replacing many LDPE materials. Eight presentations have been made to industry groups related to these projects in 2007 and one presentation at the American Society for Horticultural Science 2007 conference. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Bert Cregg and Dr. Jeff Andresen provide input on data aquisition, analysis and interpretation for the irrigation projects. Aaron Warsaw is a graduate student working on the irrigation projects. Dr. Raphael Auras is the PI on the biodegradable film project and Dr. Maria Rubino is also involved in that project. Thitisilp Kijchavengkul is a graduate student working on the biodegradable film project. Funding for the irrigation projects came from MSU Project GREEEN, Michigan Department of Agriculture and materials were provided by Spring Meadow Nursery LLC, Renewed Earth LLC and Harrell's Inc. Funding for the biodegradable film project came from MSU Project GREEEN. TARGET AUDIENCES: Taget audience for the irrigation projects is the container nursery industry. Target audience for the biodegradable film project currently is the vegetable production industry but will be expanded to the nursery and greehouse industries.

Impacts
The irrigation projects have increase knowledge of irrigation practices for container nursery crops. Most nurseries irrigate based on a quantity of water applied rather than by plant demand. The irrigation experiments indicate that irrigating based on plant daily water requirement (DWR) or alternating DWR with up to two subsequent irrigations of 75% DWR did not affect plant growth. Data regarding plant quality and runoff water volume and quantity from the irrigation projects have been collected and are currently being analyzed. The biodegradable film project has demonstrated biodegradable films are viable for vegetable production. Modification of these films for use in nursery situations such as overwinter protection or pots is planned as this project progresses. Replacing low density polyethylene with biodegradable materials will reduce the amount of plastics being discarding and entering the solid waste stream.

Publications

  • Warsaw, A.L., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg and J.A. Andresen. 2007. Irrigation application according to plant demand for container nurseries. HortScience. 940.
  • Fernandez, R.T. January 2007. Water use efficiency in nursery production The Michigan Landscape 50(1): 61-62.


Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
The project reported in the 2005 progress report was repeated in 2006. Metalaxyl was the targeted pesticide in 2006 versus herbicides in previous years. Water was sampled before and after passing through phytoremediation areas as described in 2005. Samples were analyzed for metalaxyl and nitrate-nitrogen content. Statistical analysis for 2006 data is being conducted. Ten taxa of landscape shrubs were grown from June to October 2006 at the container nursery research area of the Horticultural Teaching and Research Center (HTRC), MSU. Plants were grown in 3 gallon containers with 85 percent pine bark, 15 percent peat moss potting substrate. Cultural practices were identical for all treatments except irrigation. Plants were fertilized June 5, 2006 with a 17-8-8 controlled release fertilizer and were pruned back to provide uniformity on June 6, 2006. Plants were spaced 18 inches on center. Four irrigation treatments were applied daily from June 14 until September 20, 2006 and every other day from September 21 until October 13, 2006. Treatments were: 1. control application of 0.75 acre-inches, 2. irrigation applied to replace 100 percent daily water requirement (DWR), 3. irrigation application alternating 100 percent DWR with 75 percent DWR, 4. irrigation on a three day cycle replacing 100 percent DWR on the first day and 75 percent DWR on the two following days. DWR was determined using a theta-probe to measure volumetric soil moisture content 1 hour and 24 hours after irrigation at times corresponding to changes in local weather patterns. Weather data and precipitation were monitored through the MAWN weather station located at the HTRC. For each taxa the irrigation applied for the control treatment was higher than the DWR. Plants were divided into 3 classes based on water requirement (low, medium, and high). Proposed future irrigation scheduling will be based on grouping plants with similar water use classifications in blocks and irrigating at the highest DWR in the class to avoid under-watering of any plant. Using this method to schedule irrigation resulted in water savings of 69.5 percent for Low, 60.7 percent for Medium, and 31.6 percent for High water users from treatment 2, at DWR, verses the control treatment with increased water savings for treatments 3 and 4. Plant response was evaluated by measuring monthly growth index (GI), bimonthly total photosynthesis, internode length in the fall, and leaf area in the fall. Visual differences among plants from different treatments were minimal. Statistical analysis is currently being conducted on photosynthesis, leaf area, and internode length. GI for treatments 2, 3, and 4 were higher than control for all taxa except one on October 18, 2006 only. GI was not different or higher for all treatments versus control for all taxa except two. The lower GI for controls indicates over-watering and leaching of nutrients was probably occuring. Considering present data, applying irrigation at or below DWR can decrease water extraction and decrease nutrient leaching without a decrease in nursery stock quality.

Impacts
Use of container-grown ornamental plants for phytoremediation of nursery runoff water should result in less movement of pesticides and fertilizers into surrounding ecosystems. An additional value is that the plants used for phytoremediation can be sold as ornamental plants, and valuable land is not lost from production. Improving water use efficiency for container nurseries will have several important impacts: 1. a reduction in water extraction, 2. improved plant growth, 3. reduced leaching of fertilizers from pots, thus improved plant nutrition, 4. reduced runoff and potential off-site pollution with agricultural chemicals, 5. protection of water resources.

Publications

  • Fernandez, R.T. 2006. Evaluating nursery microirrigation systems: Uniformity of water application. The Michigan Landscape 49(10):29-31.
  • Fernandez, R.T. 2006. Evaluating nursery irrigation systems: Uniformity of water application. The Michigan Landscape 49(7):55-56.


Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
The project reported in the 2004 progress report was repeated in 2005. The same granular herbicide containing trifluralin was used and water was sampled before and after passing through phytoremediation areas as described in 2004. Samples were analyzed for trifluralin and nitrate-nitrogen content. Statistical analysis for 2005 data is being conducted. Results for 2004 data showed a reduction in nitrogen from 20 to 40% and reductions in trifluralin from 10 to 30% depending on time of year and day after treatment the sample was taken.

Impacts
Use of container-grown ornamental plants for phytoremediation of nursery runoff water should result in less movement of pesticides and fertilizers into surrounding ecosystems. An additional value is that the plants used for phytoremediation can be sold as ornamental plants, and valuable land is not lost from production.

Publications

  • VanWoert, N.D, Rowe, D.B., Andresen, J.A., Rugh, C.L., Fernandez, R.T. and Xiao, L. 2005. Green roof stormwater retention: Effects of roof surface, slope, and media depth. J. Environ. Quality 34(3):1036-1044.


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Twelve identical simulated nursery container beds were established in May 2004 that were graded and drained to a collection area that, in turn, drained into a phytoremediation area. Beds were treated with a granular herbicide three times during 2004, and runoff water was collected, measured for volume and sampled for herbicide and nitrogen levels before and after passing through the phytoremediation areas. Phytoremediation treatments were two ornamental plant taxa in number 3 nursery containers and an untreated control. Water samples have been analyzed for herbicide content and nitrate nitrogen. Statistical analysis will be conducted during the winter of 2005.

Impacts
Use of container-grown ornamental plants for phytoremediation of nursery runoff water should result in less movement of pesticides and fertilizers into surrounding ecosystems. An additional value is that the plants used for phytoremediation can be sold as ornamental plants, and valuable land is not lost from production.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Twelve small container nursery beds (3 m by 6 m) were established, each draining into an aquatic phytoremediation area (3 m by 0.6 m). The nursery beds had the same number, size and type of container plants in each bed. The beds were treated with isoxaben twice during the year and monitored for runoff on the day of application, and 1,2 and 4 days after application. Two ornamental semi-aquatic plants in number 3 nursery containers were placed in the phytoremediation areas to determine effectiveness of remediating isoxaben. Runoff water samples were taken before and after moving through the phytoremediation area, and volume of runoff water from the beds and phytoremediation area were quantified. Water samples are currently being analyzed for isoxaben content.

Impacts
Use of container-grown ornamental plants for phytoremediation of nursery runoff water should result in less movement of pesticides and fertilizers into surrounding ecosystems. An additional value is that the plants used for phytoremediation can be sold as ornamental plants, and valuable land is not lost from production.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Three semi-aquatic woody ornamental taxa were evaluated for their ability to tolerate oryzalin or isoxaben (herbicides) at the highest levels (4 mg per liter) expected to be encountered in aquatic phytoremediation areas for ornamental plant nurseries. Plants were exposed to herbicides over 9 days and monitored for an additional 33 days. Plants were able to tolerate high levels of oryzalin but not isoxaben. Although no plants died, growth and photosystem II efficiency were consistently negatively affected by isoxaben while only occasionally affected by oryzalin. One woody and one herbaceous perennial semi-aquatic ornamental taxa were evaluated for their ability to remove nitrates from a simulated aquatic phytoremediation zone. Plants were exposed to 1 liter of solutions of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm nitrate daily over 5 days. Solutions were changed daily, volume of remaining water was determined, and samples were taken for nitrate analysis. The woody plant was more effective at removing nitrate with up to 40 percent of the nitrate removed from the remaining solution. The herbaceous plant was less effective with 15 percent of nitrate removed. Eighteen small container nursery beds (3 m by 6 m) were established, each draining into a aquatic phytoremediation area (3 m by 0.6 m). The nursery beds had the same number, size and type of container plants in each bed. Different taxa in number 3 nursery containers were placed in the phytoremediation areas to determine effectiveness of remediating isoxaben. Three semi-aquatic woody ornamental taxa and 3 semi-aquatic herbaceous ornamental taxa were used. Runoff water samples were taken before and after moving through the phytoremediation area. Preliminary results show 30 percent less isoxaben in runoff water after moving through the phytoremediation area.

Impacts
Use of container-grown ornamental plants for phytoremediation of nursery runoff water should result in less movement of pesticides and fertilizers into surrounding ecosystems. An additional value is that the plants used for phytoremediation can be sold as ornamental plants and valuable land is not lost from production.

Publications

  • Baz, M. and Fernandez, R.T. 2002. Evaluating woody ornamentals for use in herbicide phytoremediation. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 991-997.