Ground Pine Chips as a Substrate for Container-grown Woody Nursery Crops

Abstract

Abstract The objective was to compare pine wood chips (PC) to pine bark (PB) for use as a container substrate for the production of a wide range of woody species. The PC substrate was prepared by grinding coarsely ground [approximately 2.5 cm × 2.4 cm × 0.6 cm (1 in × 1 in × ¼ in)] debarked pine logs (Pinus taeda L.) in a hammer mill to pass a 6.35 mm (0.25 in) screen. Plants of several woody taxa were potted on two different dates (April 4 and May 18, 2005) in each of the two substrates in 3.8 liter (1 gal) containers and grown in a glass house or on outdoor beds in Blacksburg, VA, until late August. Shoot dry weight (SDW) of 13 of 18 species in the April planting was not different between PB and PC, with SDW of four species in this planting being higher when grown in PB and one being higher when grown in PC. Shoot dry weight for 6 of 10 species in the May planting was higher in PB compared to PC. Instances of reduced growth with PC compared to PB were attributed to reduced nutrient availability in PC compared to PB. Results suggest that with adjustments to fertility, PC can be a suitable substrate for container production of woody ornamental plants.