An integrated approach to developing nutrient management schemes for container-grown nursery crops

An integrated approach to developing nutrient management schemes for container-grown nursery crops

Summary

We are in process of writing and reviewing manuscripts.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Milestone 4 and performance target: Six nursery growers will implement and integrate nutrient management schemes in container nursery production practices after the third year of the project and continue to use these methods to increase sustainability of nursery production, profitability and protection of the environment. These six nursery growers will be the nucleus to demonstrate the practical application of mycorrhizae and exemplary stewards for their community. Data have been analyzed and publications are being drafted.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

We followed up with the selected six nursery growers and we found they became very interested in using the natural mycorrhizae and started to consider including natural mycorrhizae as part of the crop production system especially after they have learned, experienced, and observed the beneficial effects of using mycorrhizae. Growers learned about the impact of using mycorrhizae for growing different plant species and how each plant could differ in its reaction to same source of mycorrhizae. We have demonstrated how mycorrhizal inoculation can increase plants growth and nutrient content of plants in the nursery. Members of Rhododendron Society and nursery growers from New York were interested in method of establishing container crops with natural mycorrhizae.
One-on-one visitations to these nursery operations were made to explain further the uses of mycorrhizae and how to establish their own source of natural mycorrhizae on their operations.
Data analysis is complete and we are currently writing manuscripts for publication.

Presentations, where information on research results on mycorrhizae from this project, were made:

Zinati, G.M. 2011. Managing Container Media Mixes to Optimize Water and Nutrient Management. Presented at the 2011 Long Island Horticulture Conference, Holiday Inn, Ronkonkoma, NY. Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, Suffolk County, January 28, 2011

Zinati, G.M. 2010.Differences in nutritional, pest, and environmental damage to rhododendrons. Presented at the American Rhododendron Society, Park Ridge, NJ. Sponsored by the Tappan Zee Chapter, December 4, 2010.

Zinati, G.M. 2010. Managing the root environment to optimize water and nutrient management in container-grown ornamental production. Presented at the National Water Conference Symposium 1: Water Issues in the Production of Ornamental Crops in the United States, held at Hilton Head, South Carolina, on February 22, 2010.