Sustainable Practices, Economic Contributions, Consumer Behavior, and Labor Management in the U.S. Environmental Horticulture Industry

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	2110	1060	100%

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

Outputs
Target Audience:State and regional commercial nursery plant producers, horticultural professionals, educators, and home gardeners. Population groups served include all races and regions of Mississippi and the surrounding states. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two PhD graduate students were trained on this project. Research results have been presented in grower meetings and regional, national, and internationalconferences such as Southern Nursery Association Trade Show and Research Conference, Mid-South Green Industry Conference, Southern Region Master Gardener Conference, Southern Region-American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference,American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, and International Horticultural Conference, and workshops such as 'Impact of utilizing biodegradable containers in ornamental crop production systems'at American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information from this research has been disseminated through publications and field days suchasFall Flower & Garden Fest which attracts around 5,000 people. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This collaborative research was conducted at multiple locations to evaluate the feasibility of using biocontainers in greenhouse and nursery production systems, and to investigate how biocontainers affect plant growth and water use of selected crops. The results of this research (1) expand knowledge on alternative production practices using biocontainers; (2) provide growers and researchers with information focusing on alternative containers and water management in greenhouse and nursery productions to reduce carbon footprints, reduce overall water input, ensure optimum plant growth, reduce production costs, and minimize negative environmental impact. Summary of research findings include: (1) Greenhouse studies with 4'' containers showed that, in general, biocontainers produced similar quality plants as plastic containers but increased water use. Biocontainers with water-permeable walls such as slotted rice hull, coconut fiber, peat, wood fiber, dairy manure, and straw containers had higher rates of water loss than plastic containers, which resulted in a shorter irrigation interval and a higher water requirement than plastic containers. Solid rice hull and bioplastic containers, which were relatively impermeable to water, had a similar water loss rates as plastics and had similar water requirements and irrigation intervals; (2) Nursery studies with 1-gallon containers showed that plants grown in biocontainers generally had similar growth as in plastic containers. Plants grown in biocontainers such as wood pulp, recycled paper, fabric, and coir fiber used more water than those in plastic containers. Water use efficiency of plants grown in alternative containers vs. plastic containers depended on plant variety, container type, and climate (location); (3) Pot-in-pot (PIP) studies with 7-gallon containers showed that biocontainers did not have a negative effect on plant growth or increase in water use in PIP system. But biocontainers made from recycled paper and fiber may not be suitable for long-term (two years or more) PIP production due to pot degradation or root penetration. There is potential for biocontainers to be used for short-term (one year) production in the PIP system; (4) Landscape studies showed that the effect of container type on plant performance varied with climate, growing season, and plant species. Container decomposition was primarily influenced by container type (material) but also influenced by climate and species. Manure containers had on average the highest rate of decomposition in the landscape, followed by straw, wood fiber, soil wrap, peat, coir, and rice hull; (5) Economy analysis showed that the main difference in the cost of production for using plastic vs. alternative containers is the price of the containers. Use of alternative containers could reduce the carbon footprints and benefits the environment; however, the cost of alternative containers must become more competitive with plastic to make them more economically feasible for growers.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Li, T., G. Bi, G. Niu, S.S. Nambuthiri, R.L. Geneve, X. Wang, T. Fernandez, Y. Sun, and X. Zhao. 2015. Feasibility of using biocontainers in a pot-in-pot system for nursery production of river birch. HortTechnology 25: 57-62.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wang, X., R.T. Fernandez, B. Cregg, R. Auras, A. Fulcher, D. Cochran, G. Niu, Y. Sun, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, and R.L. Geneve. 2015. Multi-state evaluation of plant growth and water use in plastic and alternative nursery containers. HortTechnology 25: 42-49.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sun, Y., G. Niu, A. Koeser, G. Bi, V. Anderson, K. Jacobsen, R. Conneway, and S. Verlinden. 2015. Impact of biocontainers on plant performance and container decomposition in the landscape. HortTechnology 25: 63-70.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Koeser A., M. Evans, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, R. Geneve, and S. Lovell. 2015. Impact of biocontainers with and without shuttle trays on water use in the production of a containerized ornamental greenhouse crop. HortTechnology 25: 35-41.
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, and A. Fulcher. 2015. Substrate temperature in plastic and alternative nursery containers. HortTechnology 25: 50-56.
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, T. Li, Y. Sun, G. Niu, D. Cochran, and A. Fulcher. 2015. Economics of utilizing alternative containers in ornamental crop production systems. HortTechnology 25: 17-25.

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

Outputs
Target Audience: State and regional commercial nursery plant producers, horticultural professionals, educators, and home gardeners. Population groups served include all races and regions of Mississippi and the surrounding states. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Information from this research has been disseminated through publications and field days such as Fall Flower & Garden Fest which attracts around 5,000 people. Information has also been presented in a workshop ‘Impact of utilizing biodegradable containers in ornamental crop production systems’ during American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Experiments will be continued to evaluate the impact of biocontainers on plant landscape performance. Will finish all the data collection, data analysis, and paper publications.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Studies were continued to evaluate the impacts of biocontainers on irrigation management and plant performance during nursery production. Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Dark Knight' liners were transplanted into 3 types of 1-gallon containers including Western Pulp, Coir, and plastic. Irrigation was applied to replace 100% of the daily water use. Daily water use was determined volumetrically (e.g. ECH2O probes connected to a datalogger/controller) 1 hour after irrigation and 24 hours later before the next irrigation and calculating the difference. A datalogger was programmed to monitor substrate moisture levels and run the irrigation system to provide water at specified rates. Data taken include plant growth index, plant water use, and substrate temperature during growing season; plant dry weight, pot wall strength, and percentage of pot degradation during harvest at the end of the growing season. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in plant growth among three pot types. Plants grown in biocontainers generally used more water than those grown in plastic containers.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Li, T., G. Bi, G. Niu, S.S. Nambuthiri, R.L. Geneve, X. Wang, T. Fernandez, Y. Sun, and X. Zhao. 2014. Feasibility of Using Biocontainers in a Pot-in-Pot System for Nursery Production of Betula nigra. HortTechnology.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fernandez, R.T., X. Wang, B. Cregg, R. Auras, A. Fulcher, D. Cochran, G. Niu, Y. Sun, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, and R.L. Geneve. 2014. Multi-state Evaluation of Plant Growth and Water Use in Plastic and Alternative Nursery Containers. HortTechnology.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sun, Y., G. Niu, A. Koeser, G. Bi, V. Anderson, K. Jacobsen, R. Conneway, and S. Verlinden. 2014. Impact of Biocontainers on Plant Performance and Container Decomposition in the Landscape. HortTechnology.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Evans, M.R., A. Koeser, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, R. Geneve, K. Jacobsen, S. Lovell, and R. Stewart. 2014. Impact of Biocontainers with and without Shuttle Trays on Water Use in the Production of a Containerized Ornamental Greenhouse Crop. HortTechnology.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wang, X., R.T. Fernandez, B.M. Cregg, R. Auras, N. Gong, A. Fulcher, D.R. Cochran, G. Niu, Y. Sun, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, and R.L. Geneve. 2014. Physical Properties and Compostability of Alternative Containers for Nursery Production. Scientia Horticulturae.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted 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, T. Li, Y. Sun, G. Niu, D. Cochran, and A. Fulcher. 2014. Economics of Utilizing Alternative Containers in Ornamental Crop Production Systems. HortTechnology.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Nambuthiri, S., R.L. Geneve, Y. Sun, X. Wang, R.T. Fernandez, G. Niu, G. Bi, and A. Fulcher. 2014. Substrate temperature in black plastic, wood pulp, keratin, and fabric nursery containers. HortTechnology.

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

Outputs
Target Audience: State and regional commercial nursery plant producers, horticultural professionals, educators, and home gardeners. Population groups served include all races and regions of Mississippi and the surrounding states. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Information from this research has been disseminated through publications and field days such as Mid-South Green Industry Conference and Fall Flower & Garden Fest, which attract over 5,000 people. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Experiments will be conducted to evaluate the impacts of biocontainers on irrigation management and plant performance during nursery production. The impacts of biocontainers on plant landscape performance will also be evaluated.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Studies were conducted to evaluate the impacts of biocontainers on irrigation management and plant performance during nursery and greenhouse productions. In the nursery study, Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Dark Knight' liners were transplanted into 3 types of 1-gallon containers including Western Pulp, Coir, and plastic. Irrigation was applied to replace 100% of the daily water use. Daily water use was determined volumetrically (e.g. ECH2O probes connected to a datalogger/controller) 1 hour after irrigation and 24 hours later before the next irrigation and calculating the difference. A datalogger was programmed to monitor substrate moisture levels and run the irrigation system to provide water at specified rates. Data taken include plant growth index, plant water use, and substrate temperature during growing season; plant dry weight, pot wall strength, and percentage of pot degradation during harvest at the end of the growing season. Preliminary results indicated that there was no significant difference in plant growth among three pot types. In the greenhouse study, vinca seedlings were transplanted into 9 different types of 4-inch containers, including 8 biocontainers: SoilWrap (bio-polymer), Coir (coconut coir ?ber), CowPot (composted cow manure and natural fiber), Fertil Pot (spruce wood fiber and peat moss), Jiffy Pot (peat), NetPot (slotted pressed rice hulls), Solid Rice Hull Pot, and Bioplastic Pot, and 1 plasctic container. Containers were either left exposed or surrounded by an excised filling/carry tray pocket. Data taken include watering frequency, total water use, days to anthesis, plant growth index, total leaf area, and plant dry weight at harvest. Data showed that there were significant differences in plant water use among different types of containers, and the absence/presence of a tray also influenced plant water use. The presence of a tray in general reduced watering demand but varied with container type. Plant growth in general was not affected by different treatment combinations. Use of sustainable practices including the use of biocontainers and efficient use of water in nursery and greenhouse production will help growers be more productive while sustaining environmental quality by reducing the carbon, water, and chemical foot prints of production systems.

Publications

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, and Y. Sun. 2013. Use of Biocontainers in Pot-in-Pot Nursery Production System. HortScience. 48(9): S353.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Niu, G., Y. Sun, G. Bi, A. Koeser, V. Anderson, K. Jacobsen, S. Verlinden, R. Conneway, and A. Fulcher. 2013. Impact of Biopots on Landscape Plant Performance and Pot Degradation. HortScience. 48(9): S206.
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. Gregg, M. Ngouajio, T. Kijchavengku, R. Auras, S. Nambuthiri, R. Conneway, and Y. Sun. 2013. Plant Growth and Water Use in Plastic, Fiber, Keratin, and Root Pouch Containers. HortScience. 48(9): S215.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Koeser, A., G. Bi, M.R. Evans, R.L. Geneve, K. Jacobsen, S. Nambuthiri, R. Stewart, and S.T. Lovell. 2013. Use of Plastic Trays to Reduce Irrigation Demand of Biocontainers. HortScience. 48(9): S253.
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, and X. Wang. 2013. Impact of Container Material on Substrate Heat Buildup in an Outdoor Nursery. HortScience. 48(9): S301.

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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Studies were initiated to evaluate the impacts of biocontainers on irrigation management and plant performance during greenhouse production, nursery productions - above ground container production and pot-in-pot production, and in landscape. In the greenhouse study, vinca seedlings were transplanted into 9 different types of 4-inch containers. The containers include 8 biocontainers and 1 conventional plastic container as control. The 8 biocontainers were SoilWrap (bio-polymer), Coir (coconut coir ﬁber), CowPot (composted cow manure and natural fiber), Fertil Pot (spruce wood fiber and peat moss), Jiffy Pot (peat), NetPot (slotted pressed rice hulls), Solid Rice Hull Pot, and Bioplastic Pot. Data taken include watering frequency, total water use, days to anthesis, plant growth index, total leaf area, and plant dry weight at harvest. Preliminary data showed that there were significant differences in plant water use among different types of containers. In the landscape study, Impatiens SunPatiens Compact Magenta, Cleome Senorita Rosalita, and Lantana Luscious Citrus were grown in greenhouse in 8 different types of 4-inch containers and then transplanted into the field. The containers include seven plantable biopots and one plastic pot as control. The seven biopots were Jiffy, SoilWrap, Fertil, Coir, CowPot, NetPot, and Straw Pot. Data taken include plant growth performance rating and pot degradation. In the nursery above ground container study, Boxwood Buxus Green Velvet liners were transplanted into 4 types of 1-gallon containers including Western Pulp, Root Pouch, Keratin, and plastic. Irrigation was applied to replace 100% of the daily water use. Daily water use was determined volumetrically (e.g. ECH2O probes connected to a datalogger/controller) 1 hour after irrigation and 24 hours later before the next irrigation and calculating the difference. A datalogger was programmed to monitor substrate moisture levels and run the irrigation system to provide water at specified rates. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in plant growth index among four pot types. However, plants grown in Keratin pots used less water than those grown in plastic pots, and plants grown in Root pouch and Western Pulp used more water than those grown in plastic pots. In the pot-in-pot study, Birch (Betula nigra) bareroot liners were transplanted into 7-gallon conventional plastic pots or one of two pulp-based biocontainers: Western Pulp and Kord Fiber. A plastic container was served as the socket pot. Irrigation was applied to replace 100% of daily water use. Plants were transplanted in 2011 and continuing to grow in 2012. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in plant growth index between biocontainers and plastic container. Results from the above four studies suggest that biocontainers may vary in plant water use but in general have no negative impact on plant growth. PARTICIPANTS: Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University; Operations Staff: Peter Hudson, Robert Cheroni, Melvin Townsend, Janie Taylor, David Williams, and Ed Hamilton, Mississippi State University. Collaborators: R. Stewart, Brigham Young University; A. Koeser, Univ. of Illinois; R. Brumfield, Rutgers Univ.; M. Evans, Univ. of Arkansas; T. Fernandez, Michigan State Univ.; A. Fulcher, The University of Tennessee; R. Geneve, K.L. Jacobsen, S. Nambuthiri, Univ. of Kentucky; G. Niu, Texas A&M Univ.; S. Verlinden, West Virginia Univ. TARGET AUDIENCES: State and regional commercial greenhouse and nursery plant producers, horticultural professionals, educators, and home gardeners. Population groups served include all races and regions of Mississippi and the surrounding states. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Use of sustainable practices including the use of biocontainers and efficient use of water in greenhouse and nursery productions will help growers be more productive while sustaining environmental quality by reducing the carbon, water, and chemical foot prints of production systems.

Publications

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. SNA Research Conference Proceedings. 57:60-62.
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. SNA Research Conference Proceedings. 57:73-77.
Nambuthiri, S., R.L. Geneve, R.T. Fernandez, G. Bi, G. Niu, A. Fulcher, N.A. 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. HortScience 47(9):S389-S340
Niu, G., G. Bi, A. Koeser, V. Anderson, R. Conneway, S. Verlinden, R. Schnelle, and R. Stewart. 2012. Impact of Biopots on Plant Performance and Pot Degradation in Landscapes. HortScience 47(9):S229-S230
Wang, X., R.T. Fernandez, B. Gregg, A. Fulcher, R.L. Geneve, G. Niu, S. Verlinden, M. Ngouajio, T. Kijchavengku, R. Auras, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, and R. Conneway. 2012. Performance of Alternative Containers and Plant Growth and Water Use of Euonymus Fortune. HortScience 47(9):S203

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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two studies were initiated to evaluate the impacts of biocontainers on irrigation management and plant performance during nursery productions - above ground container production and pot-in-pot production. In the above ground study, rooted Euonymus fortunei Gold Splash cuttings were transplanted into one-gallon conventional plastic pots or one of two pulp-based biocontainers. Irrigation was applied to replace 100% of the daily water use. Daily water use was determined volumetrically (e.g. ECH2O probes connected to a datalogger/controller) 1 hour after irrigation and 24 hours later before the next irrigation and calculating the difference. A datalogger was programmed to monitor substrate moisture levels and run the irrigation system to provide water at specified rates. In the pot-in-pot study, Betula nigra bareroot liners were transplanted into 7-gallon conventional plastic pots or one of two pulp-based biocontainers. A plastic container was served as the socket pot. Irrigation was applied to replace 100% of daily water use. Container moisture content was determined with a theta probe. Preliminary data from both studies showed that in general, there was no significant difference in plant growth between pulp-based biocontainer and plastic container. Results suggest that pulp-based biocontainers do not have negative impact on plant growth in above ground or pot-in-pot production. More data will be collected in 2012. PARTICIPANTS: Guihong Bi, Mississippi State University; Operations Staff: Peter Hudson, Robert Cheroni, Melvin Townsend, Janie Taylor, David Williams, and Ed Hamilton, Mississippi State University. Collaborators: Warnock, D., R. Stewart, D. Kovacic, T. Lindsey, Univ. of Illinois; R. Brumfield, Rutgers Univ.; M. Evans, Univ. of Arkansas; T. Fernandez, Michigan State Univ.; A. Fulcher, R. Geneve, R. Schnelle, Univ. of Kentucky; G. Niu, Texas A&M Univ.; S. Verlinden, West Virginia Univ. Mark Terkanian, Natchez Trace Greenhouse, Kosciusko, MS; Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association. TARGET AUDIENCES: State and regional commercial greenhouse and nursery plant producers, horticultural professionals, educators, and home gardeners. Population groups served include all races and regions of Mississippi and the surrounding states. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Use of sustainable practices including the use of biocontainers and efficient use of water in greenhouse and nursery productions will help growers be more productive while sustaining environmental quality by reducing the carbon, water, and chemical foot prints of production systems.

Publications

No publications reported this period