Title: Subirrigation reduces water use, nitrogen loss, and moss growth in a container nursery
Author: Dumroese, R. Kasten; Pinto, Jeremy R.; Jacobs, Douglass F.; Davis, Anthony S.; Horiuchi, Baron
Date: 2006
Source: Native Plants Journal, Vol. 7(3):253–261
Description: With about half the amount of water, subirrigated Metrosideros polymorpha Gaud. (Myrtaceae) grown 9 mo in a greenhouse were similar to those irrigated with an existing fixed overhead irrigation system; moss growth was about 3X greater in the fixed overhead system after 3 mo. Moss growth was affected by the rate of preplant controlled release fertilizer added (more fertilizer, less moss) and moss maturity, quantified as presence or absence of sporangia, was slowed with subirrigation. About 5 g nitrogen (N) leached per m2 (0.02 oz/ft2) of greenhouse bench under the fixed irrigation system, whereas none was lost from subirrigation. Besides Metrosideros macropus, the USDA Forest Service and Purdue University are evaluating subirrigation for nursery production of other species. To date, the results indicate subirrigation may be a useful technique for growing native plants with large canopies where conventional irrigation systems are less effective, or where water use or other environmental concerns are paramount. Dumroese RK, Pinto JR, Jacobs DF, Davis AS, Horiuchi B. 2006. Subirrigation reduces water use, nitrogen loss, and moss growth in a container nursery.
Keywords: irrigation, fertilization, Metrosideros polymorpha, Quercus, Picea, Acacia, Echinacea, electrical conductivity, Myrtaceae
View and Print this Publication (649 KB)
Publication Notes:
- We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
- This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility
Citation
Dumroese, R. Kasten; Pinto, Jeremy R.; Jacobs, Douglass F.; Davis, Anthony S.; Horiuchi, Baron 2006. Subirrigation reduces water use, nitrogen loss, and moss growth in a container nursery. Native Plants Journal, Vol. 7(3):253–261