Controlled-release Fertilizer Rates Research Articles

Effects of Species Proportions and Fertility on Sedum Green Roof Modules

Nursery producers are interested in supplying sedum (Sedum sp.)-vegetated modular units for the green roof industry. This research examined the influence of three rates of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) (50, 78, and 108 g per unit of 15N–3.9P–10K, 8- to 9-month formulation) on production of modules containing one or two Sedum species. Six Sedum species were evaluated independently: ‘Angelina’ sedum (Sedum rupestre), gray sedum (S. pachyclados), ‘John Creech’ sedum (S. spurium), tasteless sedum (S. sexangulare), ‘Weihenstephaner's Gold’ sedum (S. kamtschaticum var. floriferum), and white sedum (S. album). The species were then paired as follows: white sedum/‘John Creech’ sedum, ‘Weihenstephaner's Gold’ sedum/‘Angelina’ sedum, and gray sedum/tasteless sedum. For each pair, three starting proportions of cuttings were studied. In 8 weeks, the medium and high fertility rates produced significantly more units with at least 95% vegetation coverage than the low rate. In general, increasing the fertility rate increased the fresh weight at time of harvest, except for ‘Weihenstephaner's Gold’ sedum and tasteless sedum at the high rate, which developed “melt out.” Melted-out tissues turned brown, desiccated and detracted from the visual appearance of units. ‘John Creech’ sedum and white sedum had the greatest fresh weight followed by ‘Weihenstephaner's Gold’ sedum, ‘Angelina’ sedum, and tasteless sedum. Gray sedum grew substantially slower than all other species and had the lowest fresh weight. For white sedum/‘John Creech’ sedum units, harvest fresh weight proportions were similar to starting cutting fresh weight proportions. For gray sedum/tasteless sedum units, tasteless sedum outgrew gray sedum and gray sedum was barely noticeable in finished units. Harvest fresh weight and digital image analysis (DIA) of ‘Weihenstephaner's Gold’ sedum/‘Angelina' sedum units indicated that ‘Weihenstephaner's Gold’ sedum colonized units faster than ‘Angelina’ sedum, and had greater visual impact in finished units. Units started with 25% ‘Weihenstephaner's Gold’ sedum cuttings, the smallest proportion tested, were roughly 73% covered with ‘Weihenstephaner's Gold’ sedum at harvest. We recommend growers use the medium fertility rate to produce the most units with 95% vegetation or more in the least amount of time and with reduced risk of melt out. To achieve desired final species proportions, growers may need to adjust the ratios of cuttings based on uneven species vigor.

Using Commercially Available Ion‐Exchange Membranes to Monitor Plant‐Available Nutrients in Cranberry

Monitoring in‐season nutrient availability in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is hampered by tissue sampling being limited to a short, late‐summer period, and a low‐pH, high‐iron (Fe) soil environment limits soil‐test result interpretation. To evaluate monitoring available in‐season nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), commercially available ion‐exchange membranes (PRS™) were placed in plots where standard fertilizer practices were supplemented with the controlled‐release fertilizer (CRF) Osmocote™ 14–14–14 at 0, 112, 224 or 336 kg/ha rates. PRS™ nitrate (NO3)‐N was related only to CRF fertilizer, whereas PRS™ ammonium (NH4)‐N reflected both the CRF and in‐season fertilizer applications. Large increases in PRS™ NH4‐N with increasing CRF rates suggested a synergistic effect of CRF on fertilizer NH4‐N availability. PRS™ P was positively correlated with CRF P but negatively to in‐season P applications, whereas PRS™ K was related to in‐season fertilizer applications but not to CRF, suggesting poor plant P availability in the soil environment and relatively little K contribution from CRF, respectively. These results show promise for using PRS™ in cranberry.

Growth and nutritional response of hardwood seedlings to controlled-release fertilization at outplanting

Hardwood bareroot seedlings typically undergo transplant shock immediately following afforestation planting associated with moisture or nutrient stress. Broadcast field fertilization at outplanting with readily available nutrients has shown limited capacity to reduce nutrient stresses. Furthermore, the rapid nutrient release characteristic of broadcast fertilization leads to high levels of nutrient leaching and may stimulate growth of competing vegetation more than target trees. Application of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) in the outplanting hole could be a useful alternative to help improve fertilizer use efficiency and alleviate competition problems associated with broadcast fertilization, thereby promoting early regeneration success of outplanted seedlings. We tested growth and nutritional response of black walnut ( Juglans nigra L.), white ash ( Fraxinus americana L.), and yellow-poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.) to 6 rates (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 g plant −1) of polymer-coated CRF applied to the root zone at outplanting in southern Indiana, USA. Fertilizer release was evenly distributed between years 1 and 2. Seedling survival was above 85% for all treatments. Compared to non-fertilized seedlings, the 60 g seedling −1 rate accelerated mean height and root-collar diameter (RCD) growth by 52 and 33% in year 1 and 17 and 21% in year 2. Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) uptake were increased 40 and 30% at the 60 g rate compared with controls. Height and RCD growth were greater by 543 and 200% in white ash and 300 and 233% in yellow-poplar, relative to black walnut. Uptake of N and K was increased by 79 and 22% in yellow-poplar and 93 and 56% in white ash, compared to black walnut. Results suggest CRF has potential to improve early establishment success of hardwood afforestation plantings.

New Guinea Impatiens Growth Response and Nutrient Release from Controlled-release Fertilizer in a Recirculating Subirrigation and Top-watering System

New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri Bull.) `Illusion' were grown in a recirculating subirrigation system under various rates and placements of 14N-6.1P-11.6K (Osmocote; Scotts-Sierra, Marysville, Ohio) resin-coated, controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). Four CRF placements (incorporated, top-dressed, bottom, and dibble) were tested. Incorporated placement yielded slightly greater dry weights than the other placements. A rate experiment tested incorporating from 0.5 to 2 times the fertilizer manufacturer's recommended rate of 7.11 kg·m-3. All shoot growth parameters (height, leaf number, shoot, and root fresh and dry weight) exhibited a significant quadratic response, as exemplified by shoot dry weight, where shoot dry weight increased up to the 1.5× rate, after which shoot dry weight decreased. A quadratic response surface model revealed that the optimum rate response ranged from 1.16× rate for height to 1.47× rate for shoot dry weight. The lower bound of the 95% confidence interval (CI) would be the lowest rate at which one could expect maximum growth response. The lower bound of the 95% CI varied from 0.56× rate for height to 1.30× rate for shoot dry weight. Thus, the lowest rate that would be within the 95% CI for all growth parameters, and thus yield maximum growth response, would be the 1.30× rate. Electrical conductivity (EC) of the growing media increased significantly with increasing CRF rate. At all rates, EC was significantly greater in the top layer than in the middle and bottom layers. Only in the 1.75× and 2× rates did EC exceed the recommended EC levels in the middle and bottom layer. All rates >0.75× exceeded recommended EC in the top layer. Release characteristics and total nutrient balance of the CRF was compared in subirrigated and top-watered systems. There was no significant difference between top-watered and subirrigated treatments for the amount of K recovered in plant tops and released from prills. By day 84, in subirrigation, 46% of the K was still in the prills, 41% was recovered in the plant tops, and 22% was recovered in the medium. Similar results were obtained in the top-watering treatment, except that a lesser amount was recovered in the medium (9%) and a small amount (4%) was recovered in the leachate. The uptake of K by plants and release of K by the CRF were inversely proportional and linear with respect to time. Of the K released from the prills, 77% and 83% were recovered in the plant tops for subirrigation and top-watering, respectively, indicating very high fertilizer use efficiency.

Interaction of Light Intensity and Controlledrelease Fertilization Rate on Growth and Flowering of Two New Guinea Impatiens Cultivars

New guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) (NGI) `Pure Beauty Rose' (PBR) and `Paradise Orchid' (PO) were grown in full sun, 55% shade, or 73% shade and fertilized with a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) [Nutricote Total 13-13-13 (13N-5.7P-10.8K), type 100] incorporated at rates of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 lb/yard3 of growing media (1.2, 2.4, 3.6, 4.7, 7.1, 9.5, 11.9, 14.2, 16.6, and 19.0 kg·m-3). Plant quality rating, shoot dry weight, and flower number were measured at harvest and substrate samples were collected to analyze final substrate pH and electrical conductivity (EC). For both cultivars, light intensity and fertilization rate interactions were different for shoot dry weight and flower number, but there was no difference in plant quality rating between the light levels. Quality ratings of both PBR and PO plants increased as CRF rate increased to 12 to 16 lb/yard3 above these levels quality was not improved. Shoot dry weight of PBR plants grown in full sun increased as CRF rate increased to 28 lb/yard3 and then decreased, while shoot dry weight of plants grown with 55% and 73% shade increased as CRF rate increased to 20 and 16 lb/yard3, respectively, with no further increases. Shoot dry weight of PO plants grown in full sun and 55% shade increased as CRF rate increased to 28 and 24 lb/yard3, respectively, with no further increases, while shoot dry weight of plants grown with 73% shade increased as CRF rate increased to 24 lb/yard3 and then decreased. Flower number of PBR plants grown in full sun, 55% shade, and 73% shade increased as CRF rate increased to 24 lb/yard3 and then decreased. Flower number of PO plants grown in full sun increased as CRF rate increased to 28 lb/yard3 and then decreased, while flower number of plants grown in 55% and 73% shade increased as CRF rate increased to 24 lb/yard3 and then decreased.

Development of Douglas-fir seedling root architecture in response to localized nutrient supply

Three months following sowing, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were transplanted into pots with controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) applied at rates of 0, 8, 16, and 24 g/2200 cm3 soil as a single uniform layer beneath the root system. Seedlings were destructively harvested periodically, and roots were divided into vertical segments above (S1), within (S2), and below (S3) the fertilizer layer. Two months following transplant, the number of active root tips was positively correlated with CRF rate in S1 and negatively correlated with rate in S2 and S3. At 6 months, root penetration into S3 was severely restricted at 16 and 24 g. This was attributed to detrimental changes in soil osmotic potential in S2. Fertilizer improved seedling growth at 8 g after 6 months compared with controls but was inhibitory at 24 g. Photochemical quantum yield was higher in all CRF treatments compared with controls 3 months following transplant, which corresponded with rapid initial CRF nutrient release. Despite improvements in nutrient release technology with CRF, high application rates may result in excessive concentrations of fertilizer nutrients in media, which can restrict root penetration and negatively affect seedling growth. Conservative application rates and improvements in CRF technology will help reduce the potential for adverse effects on seedling development.

120 Controlled-release Fertilizer Effects on Growth and Quality of Herbaceous Perennials

Herbaceous perennials are the hottest item in the ornamental industry, yet relatively little is known about the most appropriate management and cultural practices for many of these species. The response of selected perennials to controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) rates was evaluated in this study. Liners of Coreopsis `Early Sunrise' and `Zagreb', Astilbe `Bridal veil', Hemerocallis `Stelladoro', Phlox `Franz Shubert', and Rudbeckia `Goldstrum' were transplanted to 5.7-L pots filled with a 2 peat: 1 perlite (v/v) medium amended with dolomite and Micromax (2 and 0.6 kg·m-3, respectively). Plants were topdressed with Osmocote 18N-2.7P-10K at rates of 0, 1.8, 3.6, 5.3, 7.1 (industry standard) and 8.9 kg·m-3, and grown over a 3-month period. Plant biomass and quality ratings (including chlorophyll levels) followed an asymptotic behavior with CRF applications for Coreosis `Early Sunrise' and Astilbe `Bridal veil', leveling at ≈1.8 kg·m-3. The rest of the species showed increases in plant growth and quality with CRF rates of 1.8-3.6 kg·m-3, followed by sharp, and significant, reductions at higher CRF rates. Observations of optimum growth and quality at CRF rates 1/2 to 3/4 below commercial recommendations were partially attributed to the use a peat medium, with relatively higher nutrient holding characteristics in relation to the more common pine bark mixes. This observation was confirmed the following season, where plants grown in a 4 pine bark: 1 sand medium (v/v) required higher CRF rates to have similar growth and quality responses to those grown in a 4 peat: 1 bark: 1 sand medium (v/v).

Differences in Bedding Plant Growth and Nitrate Loss with a Controlled-release Fertilizer and Two Irrigation Systems

Growth of hand-watered and subirrigated `Ultra Red' petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Hort.) and `Super Elfin Violet' impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook.f.) plants were compared when grown using four controlled-release fertilizer rates and four fertilizer placements in the pot. Furthermore, the amount of NO3-N leached from hand-watered plants was compared to amount captured by subirrigation system. Before planting, Osmocote (14N-6.2P-11.6K) (4 month release) was either topdressed (TD), layered in the middle of the pot (M), layered at the bottom of the pot (B), or incorporated throughout (I) the substrate at 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 kg·m-3 (oz/ft3). Shoot dry mass of petunia plants was similar between both irrigation systems and among the four fertilizer placements. Subirrigated petunias fertilized with 2.5 kg·m-3 had similar shoot dry mass as hand-watered petunias fertilized with 7.5 kg·m-3. Hand-watered impatiens had greater shoot dry mass than subirrigated impatiens. Hand-watered impatiens also had greater shoot dry mass in pots with fertilizer at TD, M, or I than with fertilizer at B, but no difference in growth was observed in subirrigated impatiens among the different fertilizer placements. Finally, significantly more NO3-N was leached from hand-watered plants than was captured with the subirrigation systems.

Production and Postproduction Performance of Two New Guinea Impatiens Cultivars Grown with Controlled-release Fertilizer and No Leaching

The objectives of this study were to determine 1) the minimum controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) rate and the lowest constant medium moisture required to produce the highest quality plants and 2) if this production system affected quality of these plants under two postproduction light levels. Two New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens sp. hybrids) `Illusion' and `Blazon' (Lasting Impressions Series) differing in salt tolerance were grown for 42 days with a CRF at three rates (3.3, 6.6, or 9.9 g/pot) and two medium moisture levels (low or high) without leaching. The high moisture level (tension setpoints of 1 to 3 kPa) and 6.6 g of CRF/pot produced optimum biomass. Low medium moisture (tension setpoints of 4 to 6 kPa) reduced leaf area, leaf number, leaf N content, root, stem, and leaf dry masses as CRF rate increased from low to high for `Illusion'. Similar results in `Blazon' were observed as CRF rates increased from 3.3 to 6.6 g. Biomass decreased no further at the high rate of 9.9 g/pot. Biomass increased in both cultivars under high medium moisture when CRF rates increased from 3.3 to 6.6 g. Biomass of `Illusion' decreased at 9.9 g/pot, although no symptoms of salt sensitivity were observed (i.e., leaf tip burn). `Blazon' maintained a similar biomass when amended with 9.9 or 6.6 g CRF/pot, although electrical conductivity (EC) in the medium was 5.9 dS·m-1 in the upper half and 4.1 dS·m-1 in the lower half of the medium at the end of production. Growth of `Illusion' responded more favorably to postproduction light levels that were similar to those of production regardless of treatment imposed during production. Similar biomass responses occurred for `Blazon' regardless of the postproduction light level.

Controlled-release Fertilizer Rate Influences Plant Growth, Flowering, and Tillering of Pennisetum alopecuroides

Information on fertility optimization for container-grown ornamental grasses is limited. For ornamental grasses, growers are concerned with the degree of flowering, number of tillers, and height and width of the plants as well as other growth or ornamental components. Pennisetum alopecuroides divisions potted into 8.5-L containers were grown outdoors in a container nursery from May through September. The potting medium used was a 3 aged pine bark: 2 peatmoss: 1 sand nursery mix (by volume), amended with dolomitic lime 3 kg/yard3. Sierra 17-6-10 plus minors, 8 to 9 month controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) was top dressed at 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 g/container. Foliage height increased linearly with increasing CRF rate. Flower height increased to a maximum at 40 g of CRF per container and then decreased with higher levels of CRF. Basal plant width exhibited a quadratic response to CRF rate, reaching a maximum at 40 g of CRF per container. The greatest number of flowers and tillers were obtained using 50 g of CRF per container. Maximizing the number of flowers is important for marketing of Pennisetum, since this plant is grown primarily for its flowering.

Leaching-losses of nitrogen from pot chrysanthemums with controlled-release or liquid fertilization

Leaching-losses of N from pot chrysanthemums fertilized with either “Osmocote”, a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), or a continuous liquid feed (LF) were measured during an 11-week crop cycle. The leaching-fraction averaged 27% for both CRF and LF treatments. The N lost through leaching was greater at higher rates of both CRF and LF. With CRF, most of the N loss occurred during the first half of the crop cycle, while with LF, leaching-losses of N occurred throughout the experiment. The percentage of the applied N lost by leaching varied from 12 to 23% with CRF at rates of 1.68–3.36 g N/pot, while losses with LF ranged from 12 to 48% with levels of 1.2–3.6 g N/pot. The leaching-losses for CRF expressed as the percentage of the N released during the crop cycle ranged from 15 to 29%.