Abstract
Abstract As container size and subsequent weight increase, extracting substrate solution for mineral nutrient analysis becomes difficult. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine, using suction cup lysimeters (SCLs) to obtain the substrate solution, the electrical conductivity (EC) level associated with optimal growth of containerized willow oak (Quercus phellos L.). Two-year-old trees were grown in 56.8 liter (#15) containers and fertilized with either 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 g (0, 1.8, 3.5, 5.3, 7.0, 8.8, or 10.5 oz) Osmocote Plus Northern 15N–3.9P–9.8K per container. Plant height and trunk diameter were measured at the beginning and end of the growing season. Leaf samples were taken at the conclusion of the study for mineral nutrient analysis. Growth was optimal at 200 g (7 oz) Osmocote per container and corresponded with a seasonal mean EC level of 0.5 dS/m. SCLs were an effective method of extracting solution for EC monitoring from large containers.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
