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Guihong Bi
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkweli, MS 39762, USA

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Journal article
Published: 02 June 2021 in Horticulturae
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As a new specialty crop with high market value, microgreens are vegetable or herb seedlings consumed at a young age, 7–21 days after germination. They are known as functional food with high concentrations of mineral nutrients and health beneficial phytochemicals. Microgreen industry lacks standardized recommendations on cultural practices including species/variety selection, substrate choice, and fertilization management. This study evaluated shoot growth and mineral nutrient concentrations in five microgreens including four Brassica and one Raphanus microgreens as affected by four hydroponic pad types and post-emergent fertilization in two experiments in January and February 2020. The five microgreens varied in their shoot height, fresh, dry shoot weights, and mineral nutrient concentrations with radish producing the highest fresh and dry shoot weights. Radish had the highest nitrogen (N) concentration and mustard had the highest phosphorus (P) concentrations when grown with three hydroponic pads except for hemp mat. Hydroponic pad type altered fresh, dry shoot weights, and mineral nutrients in tested microgreens. Microgreens in hemp mat showed the highest shoot height, fresh, dry shoot weights, and potassium (K) concentration, but the lowest N concentration in one or two experiments. One time post-emergent fertilization generally increased shoot height, fresh, dry shoot weights, and macronutrient concentrations in microgreens.

ACS Style

Tongyin Li; Geoffrey Lalk; Jacob Arthur; Madeline Johnson; Guihong Bi. Shoot Production and Mineral Nutrients of Five Microgreens as Affected by Hydroponic Substrate Type and Post-Emergent Fertilization. Horticulturae 2021, 7, 129 .

AMA Style

Tongyin Li, Geoffrey Lalk, Jacob Arthur, Madeline Johnson, Guihong Bi. Shoot Production and Mineral Nutrients of Five Microgreens as Affected by Hydroponic Substrate Type and Post-Emergent Fertilization. Horticulturae. 2021; 7 (6):129.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tongyin Li; Geoffrey Lalk; Jacob Arthur; Madeline Johnson; Guihong Bi. 2021. "Shoot Production and Mineral Nutrients of Five Microgreens as Affected by Hydroponic Substrate Type and Post-Emergent Fertilization." Horticulturae 7, no. 6: 129.

Journal article
Published: 25 January 2021 in Horticulturae
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Microgreens, vegetable or herb seedlings consumed at a young growth stage, are considered to be a functional food with high concentrations of mineral nutrients and healthy beneficial bioactive compounds. The production of microgreens has been increasing in recent years. Vegetable growers are interested in growing microgreens as a new specialty crop due to their high market value, popularity, and short production cycles. However, there is a lack of research-based crop-specific recommendations for cultural practices including fertilization, pre-sowing seed treatments, and their effects on nutritional facts of microgreens. Ten microgreen species were evaluated for their shoot growth and mineral nutrient concentrations as affected by one-time post-emergence fertilization and pre-sowing seed soaking in two repeated experiments, from November 2018 to January 2019, in a greenhouse. The microgreen species varied in fresh and dry shoot weights, shoot height, visual rating, as well as macro- and micro-nutrient concentrations. Fertilization with a general-purpose soluble fertilizer (20-20-20 with micronutrients) at a rate of 100 mg·L−1 nitrogen (N) increased fresh shoot weight, and macro- and micro-nutrient concentrations in one or both experiments, with the exception of decreasing concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn). Seed soaking consistently decreased fresh or dry shoot weight and nutrient concentrations when there was a significant effect.

ACS Style

Tongyin Li; Geoffrey T. Lalk; Guihong Bi. Fertilization and Pre-Sowing Seed Soaking Affect Yield and Mineral Nutrients of Ten Microgreen Species. Horticulturae 2021, 7, 14 .

AMA Style

Tongyin Li, Geoffrey T. Lalk, Guihong Bi. Fertilization and Pre-Sowing Seed Soaking Affect Yield and Mineral Nutrients of Ten Microgreen Species. Horticulturae. 2021; 7 (2):14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tongyin Li; Geoffrey T. Lalk; Guihong Bi. 2021. "Fertilization and Pre-Sowing Seed Soaking Affect Yield and Mineral Nutrients of Ten Microgreen Species." Horticulturae 7, no. 2: 14.

Journal article
Published: 29 October 2020 in Horticulturae
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High tunnels are economical season extension tools for strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) growers in nonmajor strawberry producing states in the United States (US), where grower competitiveness can be increased by off-season crop production. Six June-bearing (“Camarosa”, “Camino Real”, “Chandler”, “Fronteras”, “Sensation”, and “Strawberry Festival”) and two day-neutral (“Albion” and “San Andreas”) strawberry cultivars were transplanted on 18 November 2017 and evaluated for their growth, yield, quality, and time of fruit harvest in a high-tunnel production system in Mississippi (US Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zone 8a) during one growing season from fall 2017 to spring 2018. Effects of black and red plastic mulches were compared in producing strawberries. The high tunnel raised daily air temperatures, provided frost protection, and resulted in advanced fruit harvest by 4–6 weeks compared to local field production with the first ripe fruit produced in early March. “Camino Real”, “Chandler”, and “Strawberry Festival” produced similar highest total marketable yields of 483 g to 559 g per plant, with “Sensation” producing the lowest marketable yield of 215 g per plant. Red mulch decreased marketable yield in March but increased it in May compared with black mulch. Mulch type did not affect plant vegetative growth or strawberry fruit quality variables including berry size, soluble solid content, total phenolic content, or total anthocyanin content.

ACS Style

Geoffrey Lalk; Guihong Bi; Qianwen Zhang; Richard Harkess; Tongyin Li. High-Tunnel Production of Strawberries Using Black and Red Plastic Mulches. Horticulturae 2020, 6, 73 .

AMA Style

Geoffrey Lalk, Guihong Bi, Qianwen Zhang, Richard Harkess, Tongyin Li. High-Tunnel Production of Strawberries Using Black and Red Plastic Mulches. Horticulturae. 2020; 6 (4):73.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Geoffrey Lalk; Guihong Bi; Qianwen Zhang; Richard Harkess; Tongyin Li. 2020. "High-Tunnel Production of Strawberries Using Black and Red Plastic Mulches." Horticulturae 6, no. 4: 73.

Journal article
Published: 14 July 2020 in Water
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Mineral nutrient uptake of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ affected by nitrogen (N) fertilization rate, container type, and irrigation frequency was investigated. Rooted liners of hydrangea plants were fertilized twice weekly with a N-free fertilizer plus five N rates including 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mM N from ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), irrigated once or twice daily with the same total irrigation volume, and grown in two types of one-gallon containers: a black plastic container and a biodegradable container (biocontainer), made from recycled paper. Concentrations of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) averaged in the entire plant, and iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in roots had increasing trends with increasing N rate. By comparison, increasing N rate had a dilution effect on root phosphorus (P), stem and root potassium (K), stem Ca and Mg, and leaf boron (B) concentrations. In general, nutrient content of each tested element increased with increasing N rate in each structure, or total in the plant. When there was a significant container type effect, plastic containers consistently had increased nutrient concentrations and content compared to biocontainers. One irrigation per day was beneficial in increasing nutrient concentrations of P, Ca, and zinc (Zn) in different plant structures.

ACS Style

Tongyin Li; Guihong Bi; Xiaojie Zhao; Richard L. Harkess; Carolyn Scagel. Nitrogen Fertilization, Container Type, and Irrigation Frequency Affect Mineral Nutrient Uptake of Hydrangea. Water 2020, 12, 1987 .

AMA Style

Tongyin Li, Guihong Bi, Xiaojie Zhao, Richard L. Harkess, Carolyn Scagel. Nitrogen Fertilization, Container Type, and Irrigation Frequency Affect Mineral Nutrient Uptake of Hydrangea. Water. 2020; 12 (7):1987.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tongyin Li; Guihong Bi; Xiaojie Zhao; Richard L. Harkess; Carolyn Scagel. 2020. "Nitrogen Fertilization, Container Type, and Irrigation Frequency Affect Mineral Nutrient Uptake of Hydrangea." Water 12, no. 7: 1987.

Original research article
Published: 13 March 2020 in Frontiers in Plant Science
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The United States (U.S.) consumed over 80 billion servings of tea, approximately 3.8 billion gallons, in the year of 2018. With the vast majority of tea demand being met by importation, the United States became the third largest tea importer worldwide after Russia and Pakistan. As demand for domestically produced tea increases and growers expressing increasing interest in growing and producing tea, tea production became an emerging industry in the United States. Compared to major tea producing countries with centuries of growing history, tea production in the United States is limited and requires research support in many aspect of tea production including selecting suitable cultivars adapted to local climatic conditions. This study evaluated nine tea cultivars, including ‘BL1,’ ‘BL2,’ ‘Black Sea,’ ‘Christine’s Choice,’ ‘Dave’s Fave,’ ‘Large Leaf,’ ‘Small Leaf,’ ‘Sochi,’ and ‘var. assamica,’ for plant growth, leaf morphological characteristics, cold tolerance, and leaf biochemical compositions when grown in Mississippi United States with a subtropical climate. The nine tested cultivars had varying plant growth indices (PGI) and varying degrees of cold tolerance to freezing temperatures in winter, but resumed healthy growth the following spring. ‘BL2’ showed the highest PGI of 104.53 cm by February 2019, which might be helpful toward suppressing weed and early establishment of tea plantation. The nine cultivars also showed varying leaf characteristics in terms of leaf length, width, area, fresh and dry weights, and new shoot weight. There existed a diversity in leaf biochemical composition including soluble solids, carbohydrates, total polyphenols (TP), free amino acids (AA), L-theanine and caffeine among the nine cultivars and among different harvesting seasons of spring, summer, and fall within a certain cultivar. The nine cultivars in this study generally grow well in local environment. All tea samples collected from nine cultivars and three seasons were considered suitable for green tea processing with low TP/AA ratios ranging from 1.72 to 3.71 in this study.

ACS Style

Qianwen Zhang; Tongyin Li; Qiushuang Wang; Judson Lecompte; Richard L. Harkess; Guihong Bi. Screening Tea Cultivars for Novel Climates: Plant Growth and Leaf Quality of Camellia sinensis Cultivars Grown in Mississippi, United States. Frontiers in Plant Science 2020, 11, 1 .

AMA Style

Qianwen Zhang, Tongyin Li, Qiushuang Wang, Judson Lecompte, Richard L. Harkess, Guihong Bi. Screening Tea Cultivars for Novel Climates: Plant Growth and Leaf Quality of Camellia sinensis Cultivars Grown in Mississippi, United States. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2020; 11 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Qianwen Zhang; Tongyin Li; Qiushuang Wang; Judson Lecompte; Richard L. Harkess; Guihong Bi. 2020. "Screening Tea Cultivars for Novel Climates: Plant Growth and Leaf Quality of Camellia sinensis Cultivars Grown in Mississippi, United States." Frontiers in Plant Science 11, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2016 in HortScience
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The form of nitrogen (N) in fertilizer can influence plant growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological processes in the plant. However, few studies have been conducted on the effects of N form on tall bearded (TB) iris (Iris germanica L.). In this study, five NH4:NO3 ratios (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0) were applied to investigate the response of TB iris to different N form ratios. NH4:NO3 ratios in fertilizer did not affect the leaf, root, and rhizome dry weight, or total plant dry weight. Plant height and SPAD reading were affected by NH4:NO3 ratios in some months, but not over the whole growing season. Neither spring nor fall flowering was influenced by NH4:NO3 ratios. Across the whole growing season, leachate pH was increased by higher NH4:NO3 ratios. At the end of the growing season, concentrations of phosphorous (P), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) in leaf; calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), Mn, boron (B) in root; and N, P, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn in rhizome tissues were affected by NH4:NO3 ratios. Greater NH4:NO3 ratios increased the uptake of Fe, Mn, and Zn. The net uptake of N was unaffected by NH4:NO3 ratios, which indicates TB iris may not have a preference for either ammonium or nitrate N.

ACS Style

Xiaojie Zhao; Guihong Bi; Richard L. Harkess; Eugene K. Blythe. Effects of Different NH4:NO3 Ratios on Growth and Nutrition Uptake in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’. HortScience 2016, 51, 1045 -1049.

AMA Style

Xiaojie Zhao, Guihong Bi, Richard L. Harkess, Eugene K. Blythe. Effects of Different NH4:NO3 Ratios on Growth and Nutrition Uptake in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’. HortScience. 2016; 51 (8):1045-1049.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xiaojie Zhao; Guihong Bi; Richard L. Harkess; Eugene K. Blythe. 2016. "Effects of Different NH4:NO3 Ratios on Growth and Nutrition Uptake in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’." HortScience 51, no. 8: 1045-1049.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2016 in HortScience
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This study investigated how spring nitrogen (N) application affects N uptake and growth performance in tall bearded (TB) iris ‘Immortality’ (Iris germanica L.). Container-grown iris plants were treated with 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mm N from 15NH415NO3 through fertigation using a modified Hoagland’s solution twice a week for 6 weeks in Spring 2013. Increasing N rate increased plant height, total plant dry weight (DW), and N content. Total N content was closely related to total plant DW. The allocation of N to different tissues followed a similar trend as the allocation of DW. In leaves, roots, and rhizomes, increasing N rate increased N uptake and decreased carbon (C) to N ratio (C/N ratio). Leaves were the major sink for N derived from fertilizer (NDFF). As N supply increased, DW accumulation in leaves increased, whereas DW accumulation in roots and rhizomes was unchanged. This indicates increasing N rate contributed more to leaf growth in spring. Nitrogen uptake efficiency (NupE) had a quadratic relationship with increasing N rate and was highest in the 10 mm N treatment, which indicates 10 mm was the optimal N rate for improving NupE in this study.

ACS Style

Xiaojie Zhao; Guihong Bi; Richard L. Harkess; Jac J. Varco; Eugene K. Blythe. Spring Nitrogen Uptake, Use Efficiency, and Partitioning for Growth in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’. HortScience 2016, 51, 563 -566.

AMA Style

Xiaojie Zhao, Guihong Bi, Richard L. Harkess, Jac J. Varco, Eugene K. Blythe. Spring Nitrogen Uptake, Use Efficiency, and Partitioning for Growth in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’. HortScience. 2016; 51 (5):563-566.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xiaojie Zhao; Guihong Bi; Richard L. Harkess; Jac J. Varco; Eugene K. Blythe. 2016. "Spring Nitrogen Uptake, Use Efficiency, and Partitioning for Growth in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’." HortScience 51, no. 5: 563-566.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2016 in HortScience
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Tall bearded (TB) iris (Iris germanica L.) has great potential as a specialty cut flower due to its fragrance and showy, multicolor display; however, limited research has been reported on optimal nitrogen (N) nutrient management for TB iris. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of N fertilizer rate on plant growth and flowering of ‘Immortality’ iris and determine the influence of both stored N and spring-applied N fertilizer on spring growth and flowering. On 14 Mar. 2012, rhizomes of ‘Immortality’ iris were potted in a commercial substrate with no starter fertilizer. Plants were fertigated with 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mm N from NH4NO3 twice per week from 28 Mar. to 28 Sept. 2012. In 2013, half of the plants from each of the 2012 N rate were supplied with either 0 or 10 mm N from 15NH415NO3 twice per week from 25 Mar. to 7 May 2013. Growth and flowering data including plant height, leaf SPAD, number of fans and inflorescence stems, and length of inflorescence stem were collected during the growing season. Plants were harvested in Dec. 2012 and May 2013 to measure dry weight and N concentration in leaves, roots, and rhizomes. Results showed higher 2012 N rates increased plant height, leaf SPAD reading, and number of inflorescence stems at first and second blooming in 2012. Greater 2012 N rates also increased plant dry weight and N content in all structures, and N concentration in roots and rhizomes. Rhizomes (58.8% to 66.3% of total N) were the dominant sink for N in Dec. 2012. Higher 2012 N rates increased plant height, number of fans, and the number of inflorescence stems at spring bloom in 2013. In May 2013, N in leaf tissue constituted the majority (51% to 64.3%) of the total plant N. Higher 2012 N rates increased total dry weight, N concentration, and N content in all 2013 15N rates; however, leaf dry weight in all plants was improved by 2013 15N rate. Percentage of tissue N derived from 2013 15N (NDFF) decreased with increasing 2012 N rate. New spring leaves were the dominant sink (56.8% to 72.2%) for 2013 applied 15N. In summary, ‘Immortality’ iris is capable of a second blooming in a growing season, this second blooming dependent on N fertilization rate in current year. A relatively high N rate is recommended to produce a second bloom.

ACS Style

Xiaojie Zhao; Guihong Bi; Richard L. Harkess; Jac J. Varco; Tongyin Li; Eugene K. Blythe. Nitrogen Fertigation Rates Affect Stored Nitrogen, Growth, and Blooming in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’. HortScience 2016, 51, 186 -191.

AMA Style

Xiaojie Zhao, Guihong Bi, Richard L. Harkess, Jac J. Varco, Tongyin Li, Eugene K. Blythe. Nitrogen Fertigation Rates Affect Stored Nitrogen, Growth, and Blooming in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’. HortScience. 2016; 51 (2):186-191.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xiaojie Zhao; Guihong Bi; Richard L. Harkess; Jac J. Varco; Tongyin Li; Eugene K. Blythe. 2016. "Nitrogen Fertigation Rates Affect Stored Nitrogen, Growth, and Blooming in Iris germanica ‘Immortality’." HortScience 51, no. 2: 186-191.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2015 in HortTechnology
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The goal of this experiment was to evaluate the efficiency of foliar application of dikegulac sodium on increasing the lateral branching of ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). Plants were grown in greenhouses at two locations including El Paso, TX and Kosciusko, MS. Two weeks before application of dikegulac sodium, half of plants were hand-pinched leaving two nodes. Foliar spray of dikegulac sodium at 400, 800, or 1600 mg·L−1 was then applied to pinched and unpinched plants. There were two additional control treatments: pinched or unpinched without application of dikegulac sodium. Data were collected at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 80 days, and 10 months after treatments. Bigleaf hydrangea plants exhibited severe phytotoxicity including interveinal chlorosis or bleaching of new growth at 2 weeks after application of dikegulac sodium with more pronounced symptoms at higher dikegulac sodium concentrations. The severity of phytotoxicity symptoms became less significant at 6 weeks after treatment. The effect of dikegulac sodium on bigleaf hydrangea plant growth, number of branches, and number of flowers depended on both locations and dosages. In El Paso, TX, dikegulac sodium at 800 or 1600 mg·L−1 inhibited bigleaf hydrangea plant growth at 6 weeks and 80 days after treatment, and this effect disappeared at 10 months after treatment. Dikegulac sodium at all tested dosages doubled or tripled the number of branches of pinched or unpinched bigleaf hydrangea, respectively, at 80 days after treatment. At 10 months after treatment, the number of branches and flowers of bigleaf hydrangea plants tended to increase, but was insignificant. In Kosciusko, MS, dikegulac sodium at 1600 mg·L−1 reduced the plant growth at 6 weeks after treatment. This treatment increased the number of branches and flowers of unpinched plants by 196% and 95% and pinched plants by 53% and 31%, respectively, at 10 months after treatment. Dikegulac sodium application could be used to increase number of branches and flowers and produce compact ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ bigleaf hydrangea. However, the efficacy varied with environmental conditions.

ACS Style

Youping Sun; Guihong Bi; Genhua Niu; Christina Perez. Foliar Application of Dikegulac Sodium Increases Branching of ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ Bigleaf Hydrangea. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 306 -312.

AMA Style

Youping Sun, Guihong Bi, Genhua Niu, Christina Perez. Foliar Application of Dikegulac Sodium Increases Branching of ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ Bigleaf Hydrangea. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (3):306-312.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Youping Sun; Guihong Bi; Genhua Niu; Christina Perez. 2015. "Foliar Application of Dikegulac Sodium Increases Branching of ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ Bigleaf Hydrangea." HortTechnology 25, no. 3: 306-312.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2015 in HortTechnology
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Containers made from natural fiber and recycled plastic are marketed as sustainable substitutes for traditional plastic containers in the nursery industry. However, growers’ acceptance of alternative containers is limited by the lack of information on how alternative containers impact plant growth and water use (WU). We conducted experiments in Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas to test plant growth and WU in five different alternative containers under nursery condition. In 2011, ‘Roemertwo’ wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) were planted in three types of #1 (≈1 gal) containers 1) black plastic (plastic), 2) wood pulp (WP), and 3) recycled paper (KF). In 2012, ‘Green Velvet’ boxwood (Buxus sempervirens × B. microphylla siebold var. koreana) was evaluated in 1) plastic, 2) WP, 3) fabric (FB), and 4) keratin (KT). In 2013, ‘Dark Knight’ bluebeard (Caryopteris ×clandonensis) was evaluated in 1) plastic, 2) WP, and 3) coir fiber (Coir). Plants grown in alternative containers generally had similar plant growth as plastic containers. ‘Roemertwo’ wintercreeper had high mortality while overwintering in alternative containers with no irrigation. Results from different states generally show plants grown in fiber containers such as WP, FB, and Coir 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.

ACS Style

Xueni Wang; Rodney Fernandez; Bert M. Cregg; Rafael Auras; Amy Fulcher; Diana R. Cochran; Genhua Niu; Youping Sun; Guihong Bi; Susmitha Nambuthiri; Robert L. Geneve. Multistate Evaluation of Plant Growth and Water Use in Plastic and Alternative Nursery Containers. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 42 -49.

AMA Style

Xueni Wang, Rodney Fernandez, Bert M. Cregg, Rafael Auras, Amy Fulcher, Diana R. Cochran, Genhua Niu, Youping Sun, Guihong Bi, Susmitha Nambuthiri, Robert L. Geneve. Multistate Evaluation of Plant Growth and Water Use in Plastic and Alternative Nursery Containers. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (1):42-49.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xueni Wang; Rodney Fernandez; Bert M. Cregg; Rafael Auras; Amy Fulcher; Diana R. Cochran; Genhua Niu; Youping Sun; Guihong Bi; Susmitha Nambuthiri; Robert L. Geneve. 2015. "Multistate Evaluation of Plant Growth and Water Use in Plastic and Alternative Nursery Containers." HortTechnology 25, no. 1: 42-49.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2015 in HortTechnology
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The green industry has identified the use of biodegradable containers as an alternative to plastic containers as a way to improve the sustainability of current production systems. Field trials were conducted to evaluate the performance of four types of 1-gal nursery biocontainers [keratin (KR), wood pulp (WP), fabric (FB), and coir fiber (Coir)] in comparison with standard black plastic (Plastic) containers on substrate temperature, water use, and biomass production in aboveground nurseries. Locations in Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, and Texas were selected to conduct experiments during May to Oct. 2012 using ‘Green Velvet’ boxwood (Buxus sempervirens × B. microphylla) and ‘Dark Knight’ bluebeard (Caryopteris ×clandonensis) in 2013. In this article, we were focusing on the impact of alternative container materials on hourly substrate temperature variations and plant growth. Substrate temperature was on an average higher (about 6 °C) in Plastic containers (about 36 °C) compared with that in WP, FB, and Coir containers. However, substrate temperature in KR containers was similar to Plastic. Substrate temperature was also influenced by local weather conditions with the highest substrate temperatures recorded in Texas followed by Kentucky, Mississippi, and Michigan. Laboratory and controlled environment trials using test containers were conducted in Kentucky to evaluate sidewall porosity and evaporation loss to confirm field observations. Substrate temperature was similar under laboratory simulation compared with field studies with the highest substrate temperature observed in Plastic and KR, intermediate in WP and lowest in FB and Coir. Side wall temperature was higher in Plastic, KR, and FB compared with WP and Coir, while side wall water loss was greatest in FB, intermediate in WP and Coir, and lowest in plastic and KR. These observations suggest that the contribution of sidewall water loss to overall container evapotranspiration has a major influence on reducing substrate temperature. The porous nature of some of the alternative containers increased water use, but reduced heat stress and enhanced plant survival under hot summer conditions. The greater drying rate of alterative containers especially in hot and dry locations could demand increased irrigation volume, more frequent irrigation, or both, which could adversely affect the economic and environmental sustainability of alternative containers.

ACS Style

Susmitha Nambuthiri; Robert L. Geneve; Youping Sun; Xueni Wang; Rodney Fernandez; Genhua Niu; Guihong Bi; Amy Fulcher. Substrate Temperature in Plastic and Alternative Nursery Containers. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 50 -56.

AMA Style

Susmitha Nambuthiri, Robert L. Geneve, Youping Sun, Xueni Wang, Rodney Fernandez, Genhua Niu, Guihong Bi, Amy Fulcher. Substrate Temperature in Plastic and Alternative Nursery Containers. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (1):50-56.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Susmitha Nambuthiri; Robert L. Geneve; Youping Sun; Xueni Wang; Rodney Fernandez; Genhua Niu; Guihong Bi; Amy Fulcher. 2015. "Substrate Temperature in Plastic and Alternative Nursery Containers." HortTechnology 25, no. 1: 50-56.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2015 in HortTechnology
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As the green industry is moving toward sustainability to meet the demands of society, the use of biocontainers as alternatives to petroleum-based plastic containers has drawn significant attention. Field trials of seven plantable biocontainers (coir, manure, peat, rice hull, soil wrap, straw, and wood fiber) were conducted in 2011 and 2012 at five locations in the United States to assess the influence of direct-plant biocontainers on plant growth and establishment and the rate of container decomposition in landscape. In 2011, container type did not affect the growth of any of the three species used in this study with an exception in one location. The three species were ‘Sunpatiens Compact Magenta’ new guinea impatiens (Impatiens ×hybrida), ‘Luscious Citrus’ lantana (Lantana camara), and ‘Senorita Rosalita’ cleome (Cleome ×hybrida). In 2012, the effect of container type on plant growth varied with location and species. Cleome, new guinea impatiens, and lantana plants grown in coir and straw containers were in general smaller than those in peat, plastic, rice hull, and wood fiber containers. After 3 to 4 months in the field, manure containers had on average the highest rate of decomposition at 88% for all five locations and two growing seasons. The levels of decomposition of other containers, straw, wood fiber, soil wrap, peat, coir, and rice hull were 47%, 46%, 42%, 38%, 25%, and 18%, respectively, in descending order. Plantable containers did not hinder plant establishment and posttransplant plant growth. The impact of container type on plant growth was smaller compared with that of location (climate). Similarly, the impact of plant species on pot decomposition was smaller compared with that of pot material.

ACS Style

Youping Sun; Genhua Niu; Andrew K. Koeser; Guihong Bi; Victoria Anderson; Krista Jacobsen; Renee Conneway; Sven Verlinden; Ryan Stewart; Sarah T. Lovell. Impact of Biocontainers on Plant Performance and Container Decomposition in the Landscape. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 63 -70.

AMA Style

Youping Sun, Genhua Niu, Andrew K. Koeser, Guihong Bi, Victoria Anderson, Krista Jacobsen, Renee Conneway, Sven Verlinden, Ryan Stewart, Sarah T. Lovell. Impact of Biocontainers on Plant Performance and Container Decomposition in the Landscape. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (1):63-70.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Youping Sun; Genhua Niu; Andrew K. Koeser; Guihong Bi; Victoria Anderson; Krista Jacobsen; Renee Conneway; Sven Verlinden; Ryan Stewart; Sarah T. Lovell. 2015. "Impact of Biocontainers on Plant Performance and Container Decomposition in the Landscape." HortTechnology 25, no. 1: 63-70.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2015 in HortTechnology
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As high-input systems, plant production facilities for liner and container plants use large quantities of water, fertilizers, chemical pesticides, plastics, and labor. The use of renewable and biodegradable inputs for growing aesthetically pleasing and healthy plants could potentially improve the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of current production systems. However, costs for production components to integrate sustainable practices into established systems have not been fully explored to date. Our objectives were to determine the economic costs of commercial production systems using alternative containers in aboveground nursery systems. We determined the cost of production (COP) budgets for two woody plant species grown in several locations across the United States. Plants were grown in plastic pots and various alternative pots made from wood pulp (WP), fabric (FB), keratin (KT), and coconut fiber (coir). Cost of production inputs for aboveground nursery systems included the plant itself (liner), liner shipping costs, pot, pot shipping costs, substrate, substrate shipping costs, municipal water, and labor. Our results show that the main difference in the COP is the price of the pot. Although alternative containers could potentially increase water demands, water is currently an insignificant cost in relation to the entire production process. Use of alternative containers could reduce the carbon, water, and chemical footprints of nurseries and greenhouses; however, the cost of alternative containers must become more competitive with plastic to make them an acceptable routine choice for commercial growers.

ACS Style

Robin G. Brumfield; Alyssa J. DeVincentis; Xueni Wang; Rodney Fernandez; Susmitha Nambuthiri; Robert L. Geneve; Andrew K. Koeser; Guihong Bi; Tongyin Li; Youping Sun; Genhua Niu; Diana Cochran; Amy Fulcher; J. Ryan Stewart. Economics of Utilizing Alternative Containers in Ornamental Crop Production Systems. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 17 -25.

AMA Style

Robin G. Brumfield, Alyssa J. DeVincentis, Xueni Wang, Rodney Fernandez, Susmitha Nambuthiri, Robert L. Geneve, Andrew K. Koeser, Guihong Bi, Tongyin Li, Youping Sun, Genhua Niu, Diana Cochran, Amy Fulcher, J. Ryan Stewart. Economics of Utilizing Alternative Containers in Ornamental Crop Production Systems. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (1):17-25.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Robin G. Brumfield; Alyssa J. DeVincentis; Xueni Wang; Rodney Fernandez; Susmitha Nambuthiri; Robert L. Geneve; Andrew K. Koeser; Guihong Bi; Tongyin Li; Youping Sun; Genhua Niu; Diana Cochran; Amy Fulcher; J. Ryan Stewart. 2015. "Economics of Utilizing Alternative Containers in Ornamental Crop Production Systems." HortTechnology 25, no. 1: 17-25.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2015 in HortTechnology
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Nine commercially available biocontainers and a plastic control were evaluated at Fayetteville, AR, and Crystal Springs, MS, to determine the irrigation interval and total water required to grow a crop of ‘Cooler Grape’ vinca (Catharanthus roseus) with or without the use of plastic shuttle trays. Additionally, the rate at which water passed through the container wall of each container was assessed with or without the use of a shuttle tray. Slotted rice hull, coconut fiber, peat, wood fiber, dairy manure, and straw containers were constructed with water-permeable materials or had openings in the container sidewall. Such properties increased the rate of water loss compared with more impermeable bioplastic, solid rice hull, and plastic containers. This higher rate of water loss resulted in most of the biocontainers having a shorter irrigation interval and a higher water requirement than traditional plastic containers. Placing permeable biocontainers in plastic shuttle trays reduced water loss through the container walls. However, irrigation demand for these containers was still generally higher than that of the plastic control containers.

ACS Style

Michael R. Evans; Andrew K. Koeser; Guihong Bi; Susmitha Nambuthiri; Robert Geneve; Sarah Taylor Lovell; J. Ryan Stewart. Impact of Biocontainers With and Without Shuttle Trays on Water Use in the Production of a Containerized Ornamental Greenhouse Crop. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 35 -41.

AMA Style

Michael R. Evans, Andrew K. Koeser, Guihong Bi, Susmitha Nambuthiri, Robert Geneve, Sarah Taylor Lovell, J. Ryan Stewart. Impact of Biocontainers With and Without Shuttle Trays on Water Use in the Production of a Containerized Ornamental Greenhouse Crop. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (1):35-41.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michael R. Evans; Andrew K. Koeser; Guihong Bi; Susmitha Nambuthiri; Robert Geneve; Sarah Taylor Lovell; J. Ryan Stewart. 2015. "Impact of Biocontainers With and Without Shuttle Trays on Water Use in the Production of a Containerized Ornamental Greenhouse Crop." HortTechnology 25, no. 1: 35-41.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2015 in HortTechnology
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The performance of biocontainers as sustainable alternatives to the traditional petroleum-based plastic containers has been researched in recent years due to increasing environmental concern generated by widespread plastic disposal from green industry. However, research has been mainly focused on using biocontainers in short-term greenhouse production of bedding plants, with limited research investigating the use of biocontainers in long-term nursery production of woody crops. This project investigated the feasibility of using biocontainers in a pot-in-pot (PIP) nursery production system. Two paper (also referred as wood pulp) biocontainers were evaluated in comparison with a plastic container in a PIP system for 2 years at four locations (Holt, MI; Lexington, KY; Crystal Springs, MS; El Paso, TX). One-year-old river birch (Betula nigra) liners were used in this study. Results showed that biocontainers stayed intact at the end of the first growing season, but were penetrated to different degrees after the second growing season depending on the vigor of root growth at a given location and pot type. Plants showed different growth rates at different locations. However, at a given location, there were no differences in plant growth index (PGI) or plant biomass among plants grown in different container types. Daily water use (DWU) was not influenced by container type. Results suggest that both biocontainers tested have the potential to be alternatives to plastic containers for short-term (1 year) birch production in the PIP system. However, they may not be suitable for long-term (more than 1 year) PIP production due to root penetration at the end of the second growing season.

ACS Style

Tongyin Li; Guihong Bi; Genhua Niu; Susmitha S. Nambuthiri; Robert L. Geneve; Xueni Wang; Rodney Fernandez; Youping Sun; Xiaojie Zhao. Feasibility of Using Biocontainers in a Pot-in-pot System for Nursery Production of River Birch. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 57 -62.

AMA Style

Tongyin Li, Guihong Bi, Genhua Niu, Susmitha S. Nambuthiri, Robert L. Geneve, Xueni Wang, Rodney Fernandez, Youping Sun, Xiaojie Zhao. Feasibility of Using Biocontainers in a Pot-in-pot System for Nursery Production of River Birch. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (1):57-62.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tongyin Li; Guihong Bi; Genhua Niu; Susmitha S. Nambuthiri; Robert L. Geneve; Xueni Wang; Rodney Fernandez; Youping Sun; Xiaojie Zhao. 2015. "Feasibility of Using Biocontainers in a Pot-in-pot System for Nursery Production of River Birch." HortTechnology 25, no. 1: 57-62.