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Floriculture species differ in their effect on substrate-pH and the resulting substrate micronutrient availability in container production. The objective was to quantify effects of floriculture plant species on substrate-pH. In a growth chamber factorial experiment, 15 floriculture species were grown in 70%:30% by volume peat:perlite substrate and fertilized with nutrient solutions containing 100 mg·L−1 N and NH4+-N:NO3−-N nitrogen ratios of 0:100, 20:80, or 40:60. The relationship between substrate-pH and milliequivalents (meq) of acid or base per unit volume of substrate was quantified by titration with hydrated dolomitic lime or HCl. After 33 days, species and solution type effects on substrate-pH and estimated meq of acid or base produced were evaluated. Final substrate-pH ranged from 4.83 for geranium in 40:60 solution to 6.58 for lisianthus in 0:100 solution, compared with an initial substrate-pH of 5.84. This change in substrate-pH corresponded with a net meq of acid or base produced per gram of tissue dry mass gain (NMEQ) ranging across solutions and species from 1.47 of base for lisianthus in the 0:100 solution to 2.10 of acid for coleus in the 40:60 solution. With the 0:100 solution, geranium produced the greatest NMEQ of acid (0.07), whereas lisianthus produced the greatest NMEQ of base (1.47). Because all N in the 0:100 solution was in the NO3− anion form, meq of both anions and cations taken up by plant roots could be calculated based on tissue analysis. With the 0:100 solution, species that took up more anions than cations into plant tissue tended to have a more basic effect on substrate-pH, as would be expected to maintain electroneutrality. Data were used to estimate the percent NH4+-N of total N in a nutrient solution that would be neutral (results in no substrate-pH change) for each species. This neutral percent NH4+-N of total N ranged from ≈0% (geranium) to 35% (pentas). Species were separated into three clusters using k-means cluster analysis with variables related to NMEQ and anion or cation uptake. Species were clustered into groups that had acidic (geranium and coleus), intermediate (dusty miller, impatiens, marigold, new guinea impatiens, petunia, salvia, snapdragon, and verbena), or basic (lisianthus, pansy, pentas, vinca, and zinnia) effects on substrate-pH. Evaluating the tendency to increase or decrease substrate-pH across a range of floriculture species, and grouping of plants with similar pH effects, could help predict NH4+:NO3− ratios for a neutral pH effect and assist growers in managing substrate-pH for container production.

Floriculture crop species that are inefficient at iron uptake are susceptible to developing iron deficiency symptoms in container production at high substrate pH. The objective of this study was to compare genotypes of iron-inefficient calibrachoa (Calibrachoa ×hybrid Cerv.) in terms of their susceptibility to showing iron deficiency symptoms when grown at high vs. low substrate pH. In a greenhouse factorial experiment, 24 genotypes of calibrachoa were grown in peat:perlite substrate at low pH (5.4) and high pH (7.1). Shoot dry weight, leaf SPAD chlorophyll index, flower index value, and shoot iron concentration were measured after 13 weeks at each substrate pH level. Of the 24 genotypes, analysis of variance (ANOVA) found that 19 genotypes had lower SPAD and 18 genotypes had reduced shoot dry weight at high substrate pH compared with SPAD and dry weight at low substrate pH. High substrate pH had less effect on flower index and shoot iron concentration than the pH effect on SPAD or shoot dry weight. No visual symptoms of iron deficiency were observed at low substrate pH. Genotypes were separated into three groups using k-means cluster analysis, based on the four measured variables (SPAD, dry weight, flower index, and iron concentration in shoot tissue). These four variables were each expressed as the percent reduction in measured responses at high vs. low substrate pH. Greater percent reduction values indicated increased sensitivity of genotypes to high substrate pH. The three clusters, which about represented high, medium, or low sensitivity to high substrate pH, averaged 59.7%, 42.8%, and 25.2% reduction in SPAD, 47.7%, 51.0%, and 39.5% reduction in shoot dry weight, and 32.2%, 9.2%, and 27.7% reduction in shoot iron, respectively. Flowering was not different between clusters when tested with ANOVA. The least pH-sensitive cluster included all four genotypes in the breeding series ‘Calipetite’. ‘Calipetite’ also had low shoot dry weight at low substrate pH, indicating low overall vigor. There were no differences between clusters in terms of their effect on substrate pH, which is one potential plant iron-efficiency mechanism in response to low iron availability. This experiment demonstrated an experimental and statistical approach for plant breeders to test sensitivity to substrate pH for iron-inefficient floriculture species.

Two experiments were run to validate a “Nitrogen Calcium Carbonate Equivalence (CCE)” model that predicts potential fertilizer basicity or acidity based on nitrogen (N) form and concentration for floriculture crops grown with water-soluble fertilizer in containers with minimal leaching. In one experiment, nine bedding plant species were grown for 28 days in a peat-based substrate using one of three nutrient solutions (FS) composed of three commercially available water-soluble fertilizers that varied in ammonium to nitrate (NH4+:NO3–) ratio (40:60, 25:75, or 4:96) mixed with well water with 130 mg·L−1 calcium carbonate (CaCO3) alkalinity. Both the ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N) content of the FS and plant species affected substrate pH. Predicted acidity or basicity of the FS for Impatiens walleriana Hook.f. (impatiens), Petunia ×hybrida E. Vilm. (petunia), and Pelargonium hortorum L.H. Bailey (pelargonium) from the Nitrogen CCE model was similar to observed pH change with an adjusted R2 of 0.849. In a second experiment, water alkalinity (0 or 135.5 mg·L−1 CaCO3), NH4+:NO3– ratio (75:25 or 3:97), and N concentration (50, 100, or 200 mg·L−1 N) in the FS were varied with impatiens. As predicted by the N CCE model, substrate pH decreased as NH4+ concentration increased and alkalinity decreased with an adjusted R2 of 0.763. Results provide confidence in the N CCE model as a tool for fertilizer selection to maintain stable substrate pH over time. The limited scope of these experiments emphasizes the need for more research on plant species effects on substrate pH and interactions with other factors such as residual limestone and substrate components to predict pH dynamics of containerized plants over time.

The objective was to quantify the effect of the timing of macronutrient applications on nutrient uptake, growth, and development of Petunia ×hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr. ‘Supertunia Royal Velvet’ during vegetative propagation. Starting with unrooted cuttings (Day 0), fertigation was applied continuously at three time intervals (Day 0 to 7, Day 8 to 14, or Day 15 to 21) using either a “complete” (C) water-soluble fertilizer containing (in mg·L−1) 75 NO3-N, 25 NH4-N, 12 phosphorus (P), 83 potassium (K), 20 calcium (Ca), 10 magnesium (Mg), 1.4 sulfur (S), 2 iron (Fe), 1 manganese (Mn), 1 zinc (Zn), 0.5 copper (Cu), 0.5 boron (B), and 0.2 molybdenum (Mo) or a micronutrient fertilizer (M) containing (in mg·L−1) 1.4 S, 2 Fe, 1 Mn, 1 Zn, 0.5 Cu, 0.5 B, and 0.2 Mo in a complete factorial arrangement. With constant fertigation using the C fertilizer, plant dry weight (DW) doubled from Day 0 (sticking of unrooted cuttings) to Day 7 (0.020 g to 0.047 g), root emergence was observed by Day 4, and by Day 7, the average length of primary roots was 2.6 cm. During any week that the M fertilizer was substituted for the C fertilizer, tissue N–P–K concentrations decreased compared with plants receiving the C fertilizer. For example, plants receiving the M fertilizer between Day 0 and 7 had 20% lower tissue-N concentration at Day 7 compared with those receiving the C fertilizer. Although both shoot DW and leaf count increased once macronutrient fertilization was resumed after Day 7, final shoot DW and leaf count were lower than plants receiving C fertilizer from Day 0 to 21. Time to first root emergence was unaffected by fertigation. Constant application of C resulted in a higher shoot-to-root ratio at Day 21 than all other treatments. Results emphasize the importance of early fertigation on petunia, a fast-rooting species, to maintain tissue nutrient levels within recommended ranges.

In current horticultural practice, potential acidity or basicity of fertilizers is estimated using Pierre's method (PM) expressed in calcium carbonate equivalents (CCE) per unit weight of fertilizer. PM was developed using mineral field soil systems and may be inaccurate for quantifying fertilizer acidity in containerized plant production given the widespread use of soilless substrates and fertigation. The PM-predicted acidity of an ammonium-based fertilizer was compared against experimental data obtained when ‘Ringo’ geraniums [Pelargonium ×hortorum (Bailey. L.H.)] and ‘Super Elfin’ impatiens [Impatiens wallerana (Hook. F.)] were grown in 70% peat:30% perlite (v:v) limed with either hydrated limestone only (HL) or a combination of carbonate and hydrated limestone (CHL). Plants in 10-cm-diameter (0.35 L) containers were top-irrigated with a total of 2.0 L over 6 weeks using a 15.2N–1.9P–12.6K fertilizer [100% of nitrogen (N) as NH4-N] applied with each irrigation at 100 mg N/L without leaching. According to PM, 61.8 meq of fertilizer acidity was applied per liter of substrate. During the experiment, the pH of the substrate decreased from 7.05 to 4.41 for the HL substrate and from 7.14 to 5.13 for the CHL substrate. A corresponding drop in substrate-pH was observed when 37.1 (HL) or 43.3 (CHL) meq of CCE from 0.5 N HCl was applied per liter of substrate in a laboratory titration of the same substrates without plants. Gasometric analysis of residual carbonate at Day 0 and at the end of the experiment quantified change in CHL substrate alkalinity with time, resulting in an estimated 30.7 meq of neutralized alkalinity. Using an electroneutrality approach that assumed anion uptake (NO3–, P2O5–) was basic, and cations (NH4+, K+) were potentially acidic, nutrient analysis of the substrate at the beginning and end of the experiment estimated that an average 48.5 meq of acidity was contributed by the fertilizer. Experimentally measured acidity values were 13.1 to 31.1 meq·L−1 of substrate lower for HL and CHL than those expected from PM, suggesting PM overestimated the amount of fertilizer acidity applied to the substrate. These results support the need for an alternative method to predict fertilizer acidity for plant production in soilless substrates.

Nutrient uptake during adventitious root formation is not clearly understood, resulting in variable fertilization strategies in propagation and increased potential for nutrient deficiency or nutrient runoff. The objective was to quantify rooting response to fertility treatments and tissue nutrient concentration changes in response to basal or apical nutrient supply during three rooting phases in propagation of Petunia ×hybrida ‘Supertunia Royal Velvet’ and ‘Supertunia Priscilla’ stem tip cuttings. One of two treatments [a complete fertilizer solution (in mg·L−1) 56 NO3-N, 19 NH4-N, 13 phosphorus, 88 potassium, 39 calcium, 28 magnesium, 20 sulfur, 11 sodium, 1.1 iron, 0.5 manganese, 0.5 zinc, 0.25 copper, 0.29 boron, 0.1 molybdenum, and 0.01 aluminum] or clear tap water was applied to the cuttings. Tissue N–P–K concentrations declined as plant development increased from Stage 0 to 3 regardless of fertilizer treatment or location applied. Foliar application of N–P–K during propagation maintained tissue nutrient concentration at higher levels before Stage 2 (initial root emergence) compared with plants that received clear water only; however, overall, a decline in concentration was measured from Stage 1 to Stage 3. Measurable N–P–K uptake occurred during root development from the foliar and basal portions of the cuttings. Basal fertilizer applications resulted in increased root length and root number compared with plants treated with clear water. These results emphasize that nutrient uptake occurs from both the stem and foliar portion of Petunia cuttings, and nutrient availability at the stem base at root emergence improves root development.

Unreacted residual limestone in the container substrate is key in buffering pH change over time. Our goal was to develop a substrate test protocol to measure residual lime [in units of CaCO3 equivalent (CCE)] by applying a strong mineral acid (HCl) to a substrate sample and measuring the evolved CO2 gas with a gasometric method based on a Chittick apparatus. In one experiment, CaCO3 was added to a substrate that had previously been neutralized to pH 7.35 with Ca(OH)2 so that there would be minimal CaCO3 reaction with the substrate at this high pH. The gasometric method was then used to estimate residual CCE. Measured CCE and applied CaCO3 were similar, indicating reliable CCE estimation. In a second experiment, a pH titration method was used to quantify the relationship between substrate-pH and milliequivalents of reacted base and provided an additional validation of the estimated reacted and residual CCE. The gasometric method demonstrated declining residual CCE over time as a dolomitic limestone reacted to raise substrate-pH and increasing residual CCE as applied CaCO3 concentration increased. Residual CCE in a substrate is an important property that should be considered for pH control and management in greenhouse crop production. Our results indicate that the gasometric system may be useful for optimizing lime application rate, lime source, or management of residual CCE during crop production.

The objective of this study was to develop reactivity indices to describe the pH response for liming materials incorporated into container substrates. Three reactivity indices [particle size efficiency (PSE), fineness factor (FF), and effective calcium carbonate equivalence (ECC)] were developed based on lime particle size distribution and lime neutralizing value (NV) in CaCO3 equivalent. Six lime particle size fractions (2000 to 850, 850 to 250, 250 to 150, 150 to 75, 75 to 45, and 3 when mixed in a sphagnum peat substrate at 5 g CaCO3 equivalents per liter of peat. PSE for calcitic carbonate limes at day 7 (short-term pH response) were 0.13, 0.40, 0.78, 0.97, 1.00, and 1.00 for 2000 to 850, 850 to 250, 250 to 150, 150 to 75, 75 to 45, and

Two experiments were completed to determine whether the form and concentration of iron (Fe) affected Fe toxicity in the Fe-effi cient species Pelargonium ×hortorum 'Ringo Deep Scarlet' L.H. Bail. grown at a horticulturally low substrate pH of 4.1 to 4.9 or Fe defi ciency in the Fe-ineffi cient species Calibrachoa ×hybrida 'Trailing White' Cerv. grown at a horticulturally high substrate pH of 6.3 to 6.9. Ferric ethylenediaminedi(o-hydroxy- phenylacetic) acid (Fe-EDDHA), ferric ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (Fe-EDTA), and ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO 4 ·7H 2 O) were applied at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 mg ·L -1 Fe in the nutrient solution. Pelargonium showed micronutrient toxicity symptoms with all treatments, including the zero Fe control. Contaminant sources of Fe and Mn were found in the peat/perlite medium, fungicide, and lime, which probably contributed to widespread toxicity in Pelargonium. Calibrachoa receiving 0 mg Fe/L exhibited severe Fe defi ciency symptoms. Calibrachoa grown with Fe-EDDHA resulted in vigorous growth and dark green foliage, with no difference from 1 to 4 mg·L -1 Fe. Using Fe-EDTA, 4 mg Fe/L was required for acceptable growth of Calibrachoa, and all plants grown with FeSO 4 were stunted and chlorotic. Use of Fe-EDDHA in water-soluble fertilizer may increase the upper acceptable limit for media pH in Fe-ineffi cient species. However, iron and Mn present as contaminants in peat, irrigation water, or other sources can be highly soluble at low pH. Therefore, it is important to maintain a pH above 6 for Fe-effi cient species regardless of applied Fe form or concentration, in order to avoid the potential for micronutrient toxicity. The pH of the substrate in container grown crops has a major infl uence on micronutrient solubility (Lindsay, 1979; Peterson, 1981) and their subsequent uptake by plants (Marschner, 1995). If the substrate pH is too high, solubility of the micronutrients, boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) can decrease to levels unacceptable for growth, causing a defi ciency. If the substrate pH is too low, solubility of these micronutrients can increase to levels that cause toxicity. For most species grown in substrates without soil, a pH range of about 5.8 to 6.2 provides adequate nutrient solubility to meet plant requirements without causing defi ciency or toxicity, although recommendations vary ±0.2 pH units (Bailey and Nelson, 1998; Argo and Fisher, 2002). When Fe uptake is inadequate (usually induced by high substrate pH), the shoot tip can rapidly become chlorotic followed by ne- crosis as the defi ciency becomes more severe (Argo and Fisher, 2002; Miller et al., 1984). In contrast, excess accumulation of Fe (usually induced by low substrate pH) occurs in the lower leaves of the plant. Toxicity symptoms can include chlorotic and necrotic speckling of leaves, leading to complete leaf death (Albano et al., 1996; Argo and Fisher, 2002) through production of free radicals and resulting oxi- dative damage of membranes (Bartosz, 1997; Marschner, 1995). Bedding plants can be classifi ed Fe-effi cient or Fe-ineffi cient based on their ability to ac- cumulate Fe under conditions of limited sup- ply (Romheld, 1987), usually caused by high substrate pH. At high pH (low Fe solubility), Fe-effi cient plants can increase Fe uptake into their tissue using various strategies including acidifi cation of the root zone, extrusion of chelating agents and Fe(III) reductases, and morphological changes to root structure with increased growth of fi ne root hairs (Gueri- not and Yi, 1994; Bienfait, 1988; Romheld, 1987). Iron defi ciency induced by high pH is therefore not generally a problem with Fe-ef- fi cient plants. Instead, low pH induced iron and manganese toxicity is the major concern in Fe-effi cient fl oricultural species, including Tagetes species (marigold) and Pelargonium

The objective was to quantify the effect of substrate pH and micronutrient concentration on tissue nutrient levels in Petunia ×hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr. and Impatiens wallerana Hook. F. Plants were grown in 10-cm-diameter pots for 4 weeks in a 70% peat: 30% perlite medium amended with five lime rates to achieve substrate pH values ranging from pH 4.4 to 7.0. Plants were irrigated with (in mg·L-1) 210N-31P-235K-200Ca-49Mg. Micronutrients were applied as an EDTA (ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid) chelated micronutrient blend (C111), at 1×, 2×, and 4× concentrations of 0.50Fe-0.25Mn-0.025Zn-0.04Cu-0.075B-0.01Mo. Patterns of tissue concentrations across substrate pH differed from nutrient solubility in the medium, particularly with regard to Mn. Foliar N content decreased slightly as substrate pH increased, whereas foliar Ca, Mg, and S increased. Although foliar P and K varied with pH, there was no consistent trend between species. Foliar total Fe, ferrous Fe, and Cu decreased as substrate pH increased, whereas foliar Zn increased. Foliar Mn content decreased for both species as pH rose to 6.0, and then increased from pH 6.0 to 7.0. In contrast, Mn level in the substrate, measured in a saturated medium extract using deionized water as the extractant, decreased as pH increased from pH 4.4 to 7.0. Chlorophyll content decreased when the ratio of tissue Fe to Mn was -1. SPAD chlorophyll index also declined in petunia with foliar Mn >42 μg·g-1. Increasing C111 increased foliar Cu, total Fe and ferrous Fe in both species, and B for impatiens, and partly compensated for reduced nutrient solubility at high pH.

The objective was to quantify the effect of substrate pH and micronutrient concentration on growth and pigment content for two floricultural crop species, Petunia ×hybrida `Priscilla' and Impatiens wallerana `Rosebud Purple Magic'. A 70% peat: 30% perlite medium was amended with dolomitic hydrated lime to achieve five substrate pH's ranging from pH 4.4 to 7.0. Plants were grown in 10-cm-diameter pots in a greenhouse for 4 weeks, and irrigated with a fertilizer containing (in mg·L-1) 210N-31P-235K-200Ca-49Mg. Micronutrients were applied using an EDTA (ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid) chelated micronutrient blend (C111), at 1×, 2×, and 4× concentrations (in mg·L-1) of 0.50Fe-0.25Mn-0.025Zn-0.04Cu-0.075B-0.01Mo. Petunia shoot dry mass and stem caliper decreased as substrate pH increased, whereas leaf length and width remained unchanged. The highest level of C111 resulted in higher dry mass and smaller leaf area compared with other C111 levels. Overall, substrate pH and C111 had little effect on plant size or mass for impatiens. For both species, increasing substrate pH above 5.3 resulted in a decline in chlorophyll, carotenoids, and the SPAD chlorophyll index (measured with a Minolta-502 SPAD meter) compared with the lowest three pH levels. Chlorosis was observed at pH 7 after 2 weeks of growth. Increasing C111 concentration had no effect on pigment content below pH 5.3, but increased pigment content at higher pH levels. The SPAD index was highly correlated with chlorophyll content. This research emphasizes that an acceptable range in substrate pH can vary depending on fertilizer practices, with higher micronutrient concentration compensating for lower solubility at high substrate pH.

Medium-pH above 6.4 is a common cause of micronutrient deficiency for container-grown plants, and technologies are required to correct an excessively high medium-pH. The objective was to quantify the dose response from application of several acidic materials that have been recommended for lowering medium-pH in soilless media. A 70% peat/30% perlite (by volume) medium was mixed with a preplant nutrient charge, a wetting agent and 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, or 2.4 kg·m-3 of a dolomitic hydrated lime resulting in four starting pH levels ranging from 6.4 to 7.6. Aluminum sulfate (17% Al) at 1.8-28.8 g·L-1, flowable elemental sulfur (52% S) at 3.55-56.8 mL·L-1, ferrous sulfate (20.8% Fe) at 1.8-28.8 g·L-1, Seplex-L organic acid at 0.32-5.12 mL·L-1, sulfuric acid (93%) at 0.08-2.56 mL·L-1, 21.1N-3.1P-5.8K water-soluble fertilizer at 50-400 mg·L-1 N (potential acidity 780 g CaCO3 equivalents/kg), and a deionized water control were applied at 60 mL per 126-cm3 container with minimal leaching as a single drench (except repeat sulfuric acid applications at 0.08 or 0.16 mL·L-1 and 21.1N-3.1P-5.8K treatments that were applied about every 3 days). Medium-pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were tested over 28 days using the saturated medium extract method using deionized water as the extractant. One day after application, aluminum sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and sulfuric acid lowered pH by up to 3 pH units at the highest concentrations and medium-pH remained fairly stable for the following 27 days. Flowable sulfur lowered pH gradually over the course of the experiment by up to 3.3 pH units, with no difference across the wide range in concentrations. Organic acid had minimal impact on medium-pH, and 21.1N-3.1P-5.8K did not lower medium-pH despite the fact that all nitrogen was supplied in the ammonium and urea form. At recommended concentrations, chemicals tested raised medium-EC, but not above acceptable levels for plant growth. The highest rates of aluminum and ferrous sulfates, and sulfuric acid, however, increased medium-EC by 2.0 dS·m-1 on day 1. Medium-pH-responses to acid-reaction chemicals would be expected to vary in commercial practices depending on additional factors such as lime type and incorporation rate, water alkalinity, media components, and plant interactions.

The objective was to systematically quantify the dose response from applications of several alkaline materials recommended for raising pH in acidic media. A 70 peat: 30 perlite (by volume) medium was mixed with a pre-plant nutrient charge, a wetting agent, and between 0 and 1.5 kg·m3 of a dolomitic hydrated lime resulting in six starting-pHs between 3.4 and 6.4. The supernatant from a solution of Ca(OH)2, 2.5 to 40 mL·L-1 of a flowable dolomitic limestone suspension, 99.5% KHCO3 between 0.6 to 9.6 g·L-1, 85% KOH between 0.056 and 0.56 g·L-1, 15N-0P-12K water-soluble fertilizer at 50 to 400 mg·L-1 N, and a distilled water control were applied at 60 mL per 126-mL container with minimal leaching as a single drench (except the 15N-0P-12K that was applied about every three days). All chemicals increased medium-pH within one day, and pH remained stable until day 28 except for Ca(OH)2 which showed a 0.2 unit decrease in pH from day 1 to 28. The Ca(OH)2 and KOH drenches raised medium-pH by less than 0.5 units, and there was a slight decrease in pH from the 15N-0P-12K for starting-pHs lower than 5.0. Flowable dolomitic lime and KHCO3 raised pH by up to 2 pH units, averaged across starting pHs and 1-28 days after application. The effect on medium-pH increased as concentration of flowable lime and KHCO3 increased. Effect of flowable lime was greater (up to 2.9 units) at lower starting-pHs, whereas KHCO3 was less affected by starting-pH. Medium-EC increased by -1 following single applications of all solutions.

Hybrid impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook. F.) were planted into media containing two dolomitic liming materials {hydrated [Ca(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2] or carbonate (CaCO3 and MgCO3) lime} and subirrigated for 17 weeks with four irrigation water sources (IWS) and three water-soluble fertilizers (WSF). The WSF contained 200N–20P–200K mg·L-1 but varied in NH4+-N content (50%, 25%, or 3%, respectively). Depending on the IWS and lime type used in the media, root-medium pH ranged from 4.5 to 6.0, 4.8 to 7.1, and 6.0 to 8.5 when treated with WSF containing either 50%, 25%, or 3% NH4+-N, respectively, between 8 and 17 weeks after planting. The accumulation of NH4+-N and NO3--N in the root medium was different for treatments receiving the same WSF and depended on root-medium pH. The critical root-medium pH for NH4+-N accumulation was between 5.4 and 5.7, and for NO3--N, accumulation was between 5.3 to 5.9. Above this pH, minimal NH4+-N concentrations were measured in the medium, even with 50% or 25% NH4+-N WSF, while below this pH, NH4+-N began to accumulate in the medium with a corresponding decrease in the NO3--N concentration. The NH4-N: NO3-N ratios in the WSF had minimal effect on shoot fresh and dry weights. Tissue N concentration was higher with the higher NH4-N : NO3-N ratio WSF at all four sampling dates. There was a linear relationship between higher tissue N and lower root-medium pH with the same WSF, possibly due to differences in the ratio of NH4-N: NO3-N actually taken up by the plant.

Medium CO2 and O2 partial pressures were measured at three locations (3.8 (top layer), 7.5 (middle layer), and 10.3 (bottom layer) cm below the rim) in 15-cm-tall pots containing flowering chrysanthemums (Dendranthema ×grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura) grown in one of three root media. Average ambient medium CO2 and O2 partial pressures were 63 Pa and 21 kPa, respectively, and were similar in the three sampled layers in root media with an average moisture content of 50% to 60% of container capacity. Within 10 minutes after a drip-irrigation application of well water containing a titratable alkalinity to pH 4.5 of 320 mg CaCO3/liter, the partial pressure of medium CO 2 increased to ≤1600 Pa and medium O2 decreased to 20.5 kPa in the top and middle layers of the pot. With subirrigation, medium CO2 partial pressures increased to ≤170 Pa and medium O2 remained at 21 kPa. When reverse-osmosis purified water (titratable alkalinity to pH 4.5 of

`V-14 Glory' poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) were grown in five root media using top watering with 20% leaching for 112 days. Root media with a high water-holding capacity required fewer irrigations and fertilizer applications than those with a lower water-holding capacity. However, similar amounts of water were applied and leached with both types of root media over the entire experiment. The reduction in the number of fertilizations was compensated for by an increase in the amount (volume) of fertilizer applied at any one irrigation. The greatest differences in root-media nutrient concentrations were found between the top 2.5 cm (top layer) and the remaining root medium within the same pot (root zone). After 58 days, when fertilization with water-soluble fertilizer (28.6N–0P–8.5K mol·m–3) was stopped, nutrient concentrations in the top layer were 3 to 6 times greater than those in the root zone for all five root media tested. For the final 42 days of the experiment after fertilization was stopped, nutrient concentrations in the root zone remained at acceptable levels in all root media. The nutrients contained in the top layer may have provided a source of nutrients for the root zone once fertilization was stopped.

Lime sources vary in their reactivity depending on particle size, surface area and crystalline structure, and chemical composition. Current horticultural practice for testing lime reactivity and the appropriate lime rate is through batch trials where lime is incorporated into growing media. Our objective was to test a laboratory approach that would provide a rapid analytical test on reactivity of lime sources, and could eventually be applied to measuring unreacted (residual) lime in container media. Four moles HCl was added to a lime sample, and the volume of CO2 released over time was measured in a burette. Three lime types were tested, including reagent grade CaCO3, and two pulverized dolomitic limestones used in horticultural media. 100% of CaCO3 reacted in less than a minute after acid addition, whereas only 79.8% and 49.5% of the two commercial lime samples had reacted after 10 minutes. The time required for 50% of the two commercial lime samples to react was 5 and 10 minutes, respectively, whereas it took 20 and 60 minutes, respectively, for 95% neutralization. Reaction rates in the laboratory test correlated with the time required to achieve a stable pH level when limes were incorporated into a peat substrate. The reagent-grade CaCO3 raised pH more rapidly (within 7 days) and to a higher level (maximum pH 7.5 at 9 g of lime per liter of peat) compared with the dolomitic lime sources. It may be possible to establish a lime reactivity index, for example, based on CO2 release after 10 minutes, and thereby provide a rapid screening of limes. Further gasometric analysis of lime types used in horticultural substrates is therefore needed.

The objective was to develop indices to describe reactivity of different lime particle size fractions with respect to pH change in horticultural substrates. Particle size efficiency (PSE) was calibrated from pH responses for separated six lime particle size fractions (>850, 850 to 250, 250 to 150, 150 to 75, 75 to 45, and 3 when mixed in a sphagnum peat substrate at 5 g CaCO3 equivalents per liter of peat. The fineness factor (FF) was calculated for a liming material by summing the percentages by weight in each of the six size fractions multiplied by the appropriate PSE. The effective calcium carbonate equivalence (ECC) of a limestone was the product of the FF and the acid neutralizing value (NV) in CaCO3 equivalents. Reliability of the parameters for FF and ECC were then validated in two experiments, using 29 unscreened carbonate and hydrated lime sources, including the 10 calibration limes. In one experiment, 1 L of peat was blended at 5 g of lime (i.e., not corrected for differences in NV between limes). In the second experiment, 5 g CaCO3 equivalents for each lime, corrected for NV, were blended with 1 L of peat (a different peat source), using the same 29 lime sources. Both FF and ECC were positively correlated with the corresponding substrate-pH changes, with P < 0.001 and r2 from 0.87 to 0.93. This calibration of PSE, FF, and ECC can improve limestone selection and application rate for the short term response and fine limestone sources used in horticulture.

Limestone is incorporated into horticultural substrates to neutralize substrate acidity, increase pH buffering capacity, and provide calcium and magnesium. Limestones differ in their rate of pH change, equilibrium pH, and proportion of unreacted “residual”? lime. In horticulture, lime reactivity is currently measured empirically in batch tests, whereby limestone is incorporated into a batch of substrate and pH change is measured over time. Our objective was to develop a quantitative model to describe reaction of lime over time. The lime reaction model predicts the substrate-pH based on lime acid neutralizing capacity, lime type (calcitic, dolomitic, or hydrated), lime particle size distribution, application concentration, and the non-limed pH and neutralizing requirement (buffering) of the substrate. Residual lime is calculated as the proportion of lime remaining following gradual neutralization of the substrate acidity (by subtraction of reacted lime from total applied lime).

Impatiens were planted into peat-based media containing two dolomitic liming materials [Ca(OH)2·Mg(OH)2 at 1.8 kg·m–3 or CaCO3·MgCO3 at 8.4 kg·m–3] and subirrigated for 17 weeks using four irrigation water qualities (IWQ) with varied alkalinity, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO4-S content and three water-soluble fertilizers (WSF) with varied NH4:NO3 ratio, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO4-S content. After 8 weeks, medium pH ranged from 4.5 to 8.5. Lime type did not affect the long-term increase in medium pH, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations with IWQ/WSF solutions containing low NH4-N and high Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations. The carbonate lime did buffer the medium pH, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations with IWQ/WSF solutions containing high NH4-N and low Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations. With both lime types, there was a linear increase in tissue Ca and Mg as the applied concentrations increased from 0.5 to 4.0 mol·m–3 Ca2+ and 0.3 to 3.0 mol·m–3 Mg2+ with the various IWQ/WSF. The relationship was similar for both lime types up to week 8, after which tissue Ca and Mg decreased with the hydrated lime and low solution Ca2+ and Mg2+. Relationships were also developed between the applied SO4-S concentration and tissue S and medium pH and tissue P.

Impatiens were planted in media containing either hydrated or carbonate dolomitic lime and subirrigated for 17 weeks using four irrigation water qualities (IWQ) and three water-soluble fertilizers (WSF). Micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, and Mo) were incorporated into all root media at planting with fritted trace elements (FTE 555) at 0.07 kg·m–3 and were added to all WSF treatments with a commercially available chelated material (Compound 111) at a constant 50 mg·liter–1. Root-medium pH obtained from the various IWQ/WSF solutions at 4, 8, 12, and 17 weeks after planting were used to determine relationships with shoot tissue micronutrient concentrations. Tissue Fe concentrations decreased linearly as root-media pH increased from 5.0 to 8.5. Below pH 5.0, the tissue Fe concentration increased at a rate indicating greater nutrient availability in the root medium. However, between pH 4.0 and 7.5, tissue Fe was within acceptable levels. A linear relationship also was found with tissue Zn and B, but without the rate increase below a pH of 5.0. Tissue Mn decreased to a minimum as the rootmedium pH increased from 4.0 to 6.0 and increased again as the root medium pH increased from 6.0 to 8.5. Tissue Mo concentrations increased as root medium pH increased. Tissue Cu concentrations were unaffected by medium pH.

A series of experiments was conducted to quantify the rate of nutrient loss from a container medium in a 15-cm-wide (1.3-liter) pot with a container capacity (CC) of 0.7 liter/pot under mist propagation and to determine the effectiveness of reapplying fertilizer to medium at 90% of CC with either top watering or subirrigation. Reducing the volume of water applied per day decreased the rate of nutrient leaching. Based on CC leached (CCL), the rate of nutrient loss was similar for all treatments. Differences in the rate of macronutrient removal from the media were measured, but, by 2 CCL, the concentration of all nutrients tested was below acceptable levels for the saturated media extract. With top watering, reapplying water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) at volumes under 0.2 liter/pot did not affect the nutrient concentration in the lower half of the pot at WSF concentrations up to 86 mol N/m3. Applying up to 0.8 liter/pot did increase nutrient concentrations in the lower half of the pot, but the media nutrient concentrations were lower than that of the applied WSF concentration. Applying WSF with subirrigation was limited by the moisture content of the media prior to the irrigation.

A small suction lysimeter tube (SLT) was used to extract media solution samples for twelve pot plant species in peat-based media subirrigated with 50, 100, or 200 mg · liter-1 N and K2O. Media samples from different pots were also tested using the saturated media extract (SME) procedure. Sample solution pH, EC, NO3--N and K+ were measured with Cardy flat electrode meters. Averaged over crops, solution pH was similar for SLT and SME (after extraction) at each N concentration. The mean (12 crops × 3 reps at each N level) SME and SLT solution EC and K+ concentrations were similar for samples collected from the 50 and 100 mg · liter-1 N treatments. NO3--N values were lower with the SLT than SME method at 50 mg·liter-1 N. SLT levels for EC, NO3--N, and K+ were 27, 39, and 24% higher than SME values for samples collected from the 200 mg·liter-1 N treatments. Sample variation between replicates and between methods for the single pot samples was unacceptable. More testing is needed with SME and SLT samples from the same pot and composite samples from several pots, but SLT sampling is fast, nondestructive, simple, and economical at $6-7 per tube.