Drip Tube Research Articles

Fertilizer Placement Effects on Soil Nitrogen and Use by Drip-irrigated and Plastic-mulched Tomatoes

The effects of fertilizer placement and soil moisture level on soil N movement, uptake, and use by tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) grown with drip irrigation and plastic mulch were evaluated at two locations on two types of sandy soils. Broadcast or band fertilizer placement had no effect on fruit size, fruit number, or total yield. Fruit size was increased at one location, and the incidence of blossom-end rot was decreased by increased frequency of irrigation. Nitrate-N distribution within the bed was not affected by initial N placement. In the soil with a rapid infiltration rate, NO3-N levels in the center of the bed were always low, with highest concentration observed in the areas of the bed most distant from the drip tube. In the soil with the slower infiltration rate, NO3-N concentrations were more uniform throughout the bed, with highest concentrations in the bed center: Increasing soil moisture levels (–20 kPa vs. –30 kPa) resulted in increased leaching and reduced NO3-N concentration throughout the bed. Foliage N concentration was not affected by N placement, but decreased seasonally. Total N uptake by the above-ground portion of the plants was not affected by fertilizer placement or soil moisture level.

Soil characteristics of raised sphagnum bog in relation to intensively grown deciduous species

Peat bulk density, water content, and pH were studied on a raised bog in central Sweden with particular attention to the demand of the crops. Volume defined samples of the 0–30 cm soil layers were taken during 1981 and 1982 in order to find out seasonal patterns and between‐treatment variations of the soil characteristics. Four plots with different liming, fertilization, and irrigation regimes were included in the investigation. Two willow plots (Salix viminalis and S. dasyclados) and one plot with Alnus incana were all irrigated‐fertilized by drip tubes during the growing season while an unplanted reference plot was not. Large variations in the studied soil properties occurred within all the plots at any time, to a great extent depending on variations in the mixture of Eriophorum and Sphagnum in the peat. Peat bulk density tended to be higher in the irrigated‐fertilized plots than in the reference plot and averaged about 70 and 63 g . dm−3, respectively. Water content increased rapidly with depth in the ...

Bacterial Safety of Reconstituted Continuous Drip Tube Feeding

Chemically defined diets require reconstitution and transfer to a delivery system. When reconstituted High Vivonex was noted in our Medical Center to be bacteriologically contaminated, we instituted a series of control procedures. We then reevaluated bacterial growth in reconstituted High Nitrogen Vivonex and diluted Isocal under ward conditions. The mixtures were prepared with sterile water versus tap water, using a hand washed blender versus a machine washed blender. We also investigated the bacteriological effect of blast freezing reconstituted High Nitrogen Vivonex. All preparations of the nonfrozen High Nitrogen Vivonex showed occasional low level contamination, although quantitative cultures did not show logarithmic growth over eight hours of observation. No growth occurred in the blast frozen High Nitrogen Vivonex or in the Isocal. We conclude that reconstituted High Nitrogen Vivonex and diluted Isocal may be prepared and hung safely for eight hours, and that blast freezing of High Nitrogen Vivonex is bacteriologically safe. As a result of our initial findings of bacteriologic contamination, we believe a program for bacterial monitoring of the tube feeding is desirable.