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Full-Text Articles in Horticulture
Container Type And Substrate Affect Root Zone Temperature And Growth Of ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae, Anthony L. Witcher, Jeremy M. Pickens, Eugene K. Blythe
Container Type And Substrate Affect Root Zone Temperature And Growth Of ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae, Anthony L. Witcher, Jeremy M. Pickens, Eugene K. Blythe
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research
Root zone temperature (RZT) in nursery containers commonly exceeds ambient temperature during the growing season, negatively impacting crop growth and quality. Black nursery containers absorb radiant heat resulting in excessive RZT, yet other types of containers and different substrates can moderate RZT. We conducted studies in Tennessee and Alabama to evaluate the effects of container type and substrate on RZT and growth of ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae (Thuja standishii × plicata ‘Green Giant’). Trade gallon arborvitae were transplanted into black, white, or air pruning containers filled with pine bark (PB) or 4 PB: 1 peatmoss (v:v) (PB:PM). Plants grown in PB:PM …
Container Color And Compost Substrate Affect Root Zone Temperature And Growth Of “Green Giant” Arborvitae, Anthony L. Witcher, Jeremy M. Pickens, Eugene K. Blythe
Container Color And Compost Substrate Affect Root Zone Temperature And Growth Of “Green Giant” Arborvitae, Anthony L. Witcher, Jeremy M. Pickens, Eugene K. Blythe
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research
Container-grown nursery crops are commonly exposed to root zone stress due to inadequate moisture and supraoptimal root zone temperature (RZT). Compost substrates can improve water and nutrient retention but plant responses can vary due to physical and chemical properties. Dark color containers absorb solar radiation through the container side wall leading to excessive heat buildup in the substrate, yet white containers can reduce RZT. Compost substrates and container color were examined for effects on RZT and growth of “Green Giant” arborvitae (Thuja standishii × plicata “Green Giant”). “Green Giant” arborvitae were transplanted into white or black containers (11.3 L) filled …