scholarly journals Effectiveness of Biopolymer Horticultural Products for Production and Postproduction Nutrient Provision of Garden and Bedding Crops and Container Ornamentals

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-266
Author(s):  
James A. Schrader ◽  
Christopher J. Currey ◽  
Nicholas J. Flax ◽  
David Grewell ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Garden Soil ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Current Formulation ◽  
Horticultural Products ◽  
Plastic Containers

We evaluated emerging biopolymer horticultural products that provide fertilizer nutrients to plants (fertilizing biocontainers, pelletized biopolymer fertilizer, and biopolymer fertilizer spikes) for their effectiveness during greenhouse production and garden growth of floriculture crops, and during postproduction culture of container ornamentals. Greenhouse experiments (in 4.5-inch containers) and garden trials were performed with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), petunia (Petunia ×hybrida), and marigold (Tagetes patula). Postproduction experiments were performed with 12-inch hanging baskets containing lobelia (Lobelia erinus), trailing petunia (Calibrachoa ×hybrida), and petunia, and with 13-inch patio planters containing zonal geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum), spikes (Cordyline indivisa), bidens (Bidens ferulifolia), and trailing petunia. Although slightly less effective than synthetic controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), all three nutrient-containing biopolymer horticultural products were sufficient and suitable for providing fertilizer nutrients to plants grown in containers and in garden soil. Results of the postproduction experiment provided proof-of-concept for the effectiveness and potential of biopolymer fertilizer spikes as a sustainable method for providing fertilizer nutrients to containerized plants. The current formulation of pelletized biopolymer fertilizer was somewhat more effective for vegetable crops (pepper and tomato) than for floriculture crops (marigold and petunia). For plants produced in 4.5-inch containers, the combination of the fertilizing biocontainer with no additional fertilizer in the greenhouse, then burying the fertilizing container beneath the plant to degrade and provide nutrients in the garden was very effective. Biopolymer horticultural products represent a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastic containers and synthetic fertilizers. Adoption of some or all of these technologies could improve the environmental sustainability of the horticulture industry without reducing productivity or efficiency, and without increasing labor intensity.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Biopolymer-coated Fiber Containers for Container-grown Plants

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. McCabe ◽  
James A. Schrader ◽  
Samy Madbouly ◽  
David Grewell ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Coir Fiber ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Coated Fiber ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Strength And Durability ◽  
Plastic Containers

Biocontainers made of coconut coir, paper, peat, wood, or other natural fibers are considered sustainable alternatives to containers made of petroleum-based plastics, but growers’ acceptance and use of fiber containers have been limited by their comparatively high cost, low strength and durability, and poor water-use efficiency (WUE). We hypothesized that coating fiber containers with biopolymers would improve their strength, durability, and WUE during plant production. We compared the effectiveness of fiber containers of coir, paper, and wood that were either uncoated or coated with one of four biopolymers [polyamide (PA), polylactic acid (PLA), polyurethane (PU), or tung oil (TO)], peat-fiber containers that were uncoated, and injection-molded containers made of petroleum-based plastic. Ease of coating was assessed, along with the cost and strength of containers, their effectiveness during greenhouse production of ‘Honeycomb’ marigold (Tagetes patula), ‘Autumn Bell’ pepper (Capisicum annuum), ‘Madness Red’ petunia (Petunia ×hybrida), ‘St. John’s Fire’ salvia (Salvia splendens), and ‘Rutgers’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and their WUE during production of salvia and tomato. Castor oil-based PU was the least expensive biopolymer coating and was easy to apply as a water-based dispersion. The other biopolymers required a hazardous and costly organic solvent (e.g., chloroform). Coatings of PA, PLA, and PU increased container strength and durability, and improved WUE during plant production. Coated paper-fiber containers resisted horizontal compression better than petroleum-plastic containers. Greenhouse-grown plants in containers coated with PA, PLA, or PU were larger and rated healthier and of better quality than plants grown in uncoated or TO-coated fiber containers. Plants grown in paper- and coir-fiber containers coated with PA, PLA, or PU were similar in health and size to plants grown in petroleum-plastic containers. Two coatings of PU on paper-fiber containers resulted in WUE similar to that of petroleum-plastic containers for both 4- to 5-inch and gallon sizes. Coating fiber containers with biopolymers slowed, but did not halt, their degradation in soil, indicating that decomposition in soil may be a suitable end-of-life option for biopolymer-coated fiber containers. Our results support the hypothesis that coating fiber containers with biopolymers can improve their effectiveness for crop production, while maintaining an improvement in sustainability over petroleum plastic. Paper-fiber containers coated with PU showed particular promise and were similar in material cost and performance to containers made of petroleum-based plastic.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Disinfectants to Prevent Spread of Potyviruses in Greenhouse Tomato Production

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Wintermantel
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Hypochlorite ◽  
Quaternary Ammonium ◽  
Infected Plant ◽  
Transmission Efficiency ◽  
Aphid Species ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Greenhouse Tomato ◽  
Direct Inoculation

Potyviruses, transmitted by a diverse array of common aphid species, infect a broad range of vegetable crops, and can be problematic in greenhouse tomato production. Once introduced, these viruses are believed to be transmitted plant-to-plant during pruning operations, and can infect large sections of a greenhouse, resulting in significant losses in fruit quality and yield. Several methods are used for virus management in greenhouse production, including rouging of diseased plants and treatment of tools and facilities with virucides to eradicate the virus responsible. To clarify potyvirus transmission efficiency from an infected source during pruning operations, experiments were conducted using direct and serial mechanical inoculation of Potato virus Y (PVY) using a scalpel dipped in a suspension of PVY-infected plant sap. Tests demonstrated that both serial and direct inoculation resulted in significant PVY transmission, but that transmission rates declined after the first few plants in serial transmission. Additional tests evaluated the efficiency of two virucides, a quaternary ammonium solution and sodium hypochlorite, for virus inactivation during pruning operations using a range of concentrations and time points. Results demonstrated that 0.5% sodium hypochlorite treatment for two seconds was sufficient for virus control, and superior to treatment with quaternary ammonium solutions. Accepted for publication 20 December 2010. Published 21 February 2011.

scholarly journals Fishwaste Compost Medium Improves Growth and Quality of Container-grown Marigolds and Geraniums Without Leaching

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L. Hummel ◽  
S. Kuo ◽  
D. Winters ◽  
E.J. Jellum
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Available N ◽  
N Source ◽  
Growing Medium

Abstract Utilization of fish waste for producing fishwaste compost (FWC) as a value-added product is preferred to disposing of it in ocean dumping or landfills. This study determined: (i) the effectiveness of FWC as a container-growth medium and N source for greenhouse production of marigolds (Tagetes patula L. ‘Queen Sophia’) and geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum L.H. Bailey ‘Sprinter Scarlet’) that were drip-irrigated to prevent leaching; and (ii) if leaching was necessary to sustain plant growth. In a 3 by 3 factorial experiment, plants were grown in 100% FWC, 50% FWC:50% Douglas-fir bark (B), and 100% B at 0, 160, and 320 mg (0, 0.0056, 0.0112 oz) N container−1 applied as NH4NO3 every 2 weeks. Under drip irrigation, FWC in the 100% FWC growing medium supplied a sufficient amount of available N up to 7 weeks after transplanting to produce plant quality, shoot growth index (SGI), and shoot and root dry weights comparable to those treated with 320 mg N container−1. In the 50% FWC: 50% B growing medium fertilization with 320 mg N improved plant growth and quality 7 weeks after transplanting. The concentration of inorganic N (NO3 plus NH4) in the 100% FWC declined to very low levels 7 weeks after transplanting. This indicated that FWC used as the sole component of the growing medium was an effective N source for marigolds and geraniums up to 7 weeks after transplant. Compared with no leach plants, irrigation of 100% FWC marigolds with a weekly leaching fraction of about 0.55 did not affect quality, SGI, and shoot dry weight at the time-of-sale, 7 weeks after transplant. The FWC did not have sufficiently high salt content to require minimum leaching to prevent salt injury to the plants.

scholarly journals Pemberdayaan Petani Hortikultura (Kasus Kelompok Tani Werdhi Guna Desa Pempatan, Kecamatan Rendang, Kabupaten Karangasem)

2019 ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
I KOMANG JUNIARTA ◽  
I MADE SARJANA ◽  
NYOMAN PARINING
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Tropical Area ◽  
Vegetable Farming ◽  
Horticultural Plants ◽  
Horticultural Products ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Training

Empowerment of Horticultural Farmers: The Case of Werdhi Guna Farmer Group of Pempatan Village, Rendang District, Karangasem Regency Pempatan Village, Rendang District, Karangasem Regency has great vegetable potential, but farmers have not been able to utilize the condition well. There needs to be empowerment to increase farmer's income and farmer's prosperity. The purpose of this research is to know (1) horticultural potential (2) process of empowering horticulture farmers. This research used qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. The results showed the potential of vegetable horticulture (Olericulture) in Werdhi Guna Farmer Group with the achievement of score 4.2 with the good category meaning that Werdhi Guna Farmer Group has a tropical area and is suitable for horticultural cultivation. Horticultural plants grow with maximum results, seen from the fact that vegetable crops are fertile although obstacles still persist such as the limited availability of water for watering plants. As for the empowerment of farmers, it is of good category with averageachievement score of 3.9 meaning that the farmers play an important role in horticultural cultivation and the importance of government roles given to Werdhi Guna Farmer Group in enhancing knowledge or innovation in agriculture. In this research, it is suggested that farmers in Werdhi Guna Farmer Group are expected to be able to increase their horticultural products in order to be able to compete in the market to improve farmer's welfare, and of course to promote vegetable farming (Olericulture) and the government should pay more attention to horticultural farmers and provide support in the form of aid and training that can make them able to increase their farming.

scholarly journals Climate Resilient Vegetable Farming: A Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 55-69
Author(s):  
. Shilpa ◽  
Priyanka Bijalwan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Transformative Adaptation

Climate change is one of the global challenges faced by the mankind today with the continuously rising temperature, triggering a host of extreme weather events such as heat waves, drought, and flooding. These climate induced challenges are manifesting themselves rapidly, causing socio-economic insecurities and health challenges, particularly in marginalized communities. There is increasing evidence of indirect associations between climate change and the rise in the rates of malnutrition, poor health, hunger and starvation, as well as food and water insecurity. In addition, climate-change impacts have put an additional pressure on already stressed natural resource base, reducing the resilience of agro-ecosystems that are, in part, providing food and nutritional security in rural communities. Tackling these challenges requires a paradigm shift from the current incremental adaptation strategies towards transformative alternatives that also place an equal emphasis on human nutrition and health, as well as environmental sustainability. In the context of marginalized farming communities, a transformative adaptation strategy is defined as one that causes a disruptive, but desirable and sustainable change to the social– ecological state of the system. In the context of this paper, the inclusion of adaptable nutrient dense vegetable crops into marginalized agricultural systems and dominant food systems is considered part of transformative adaptation.

scholarly journals PATRIMONIO PLÁSTICO: A DECISION-MAKING PROCESS FOR THE RE-USE OF AN INDUSTRIAL ARCHITECTURE IN MONTEVIDEO

Detritus ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 92-102
Author(s):  
Sabrina Sacco ◽  
Maria Cerreta
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Project Proposal ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Industrial Architecture ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The University ◽  
Plastic Containers

This contribution refers to a research carried out between the Departments of Architecture of the University of Naples Federico II and the University of the Republic in Montevideo. The research focuses on the theme of re-use as a practice able to trigger synergistic mechanisms between different entities and identities of the urban fabric. At the centre is Patrimonio Plástico, a decision-making process for the re-use of an industrial architecture dealing with the recycling of waste and materials, such as plastic, containers, and abandoned spaces of the city. The multidisciplinary and multiscalar decision-making process translates into actions some objectives of the Agenda 2030 SDGs at a global level and the objectives expressed by the various social groups interviewed at the local level in order to identify the preferable project proposal whose it has been assessed the economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Comparison of economics of winter production of horticultural products in greenhouses in the USA with outdoor production in areas distant from the market

1974 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
M E Cravens
Keyword(s):  
Winter Season ◽  
Fuel Price ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
North Central ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Relative Disadvantage ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Eastern Usa ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Horticultural Products

Greenhouse production of fresh winter season tomatoes in North Central and North-eastern USA faces higher costs than outdoor production in Florida or Mexico, including freight charges for delivery to northern markets. The higher the fuel price, the greater will be the relative disadvantage of the producer relying on environmental controls. Success must therefore depend on effective exploitation of quality differences rather than competing on a price per pound basis.

scholarly journals Are Biobased Plastics Green Alternatives?—A Critical Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7729
Author(s):  
Diogo A. Ferreira-Filipe ◽  
Ana Paço ◽  
Armando C. Duarte ◽  
Teresa Rocha-Santos ◽  
Ana L. Patrício Silva
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Biobased Polymers ◽  
Green Materials

Environmental sustainability is driving an intense search for “green materials”. Biobased plastics have emerged as a promising alternative. Their building blocks can now be obtained from diverse biomass, by-products, and organic residues due to the advances in biorefineries and bioprocessing technologies, decreasing the demand for fossil fuel resources and carbon footprint. Novel biobased polymers with high added value and improved properties and functionalities have been developed to apply diverse economic sectors. However, the real opportunities and risks of such novel biobased plastic solutions have raised scientific and public awareness. This paper provides a critical review on the recent advances in biobased polymers chemistry and emerging (bio)technologies that underpin their production and discusses the potential for biodegradation, recycling, environmental safety, and toxicity of these biobased solutions.

scholarly journals Cupric Hydroxide-Treated Containers Affect Growth and Flowering of Annual and Perennial Bedding Plants

1993 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 106-110
Author(s):  
Michael A. Arnold ◽  
Douglas L. Airhart ◽  
W. Edgar Davis
Keyword(s):  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Field Plot ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Container Wall ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Acclimation Period ◽  
Celosia Cristata ◽  
Cupric Hydroxide ◽  
Root Deformation

Abstract Four annual cultivars, Celosia cristata L. ‘Castle Pink’, Impatiens Wallerana Hook. ‘Super Elfin Red’, Pelargonium × domesticum L.H. Bailey ‘Ringo Scarlet’ and Tagetes patula L. ‘Discovery Yellow’, and two perennial cultivars, Chrysanthemum × superbum Bergmans ex J. Ingram ‘Alaska’ and Coreopsis lanceolata L. ‘Early Sunrise’, of bedding plants were grown in a greenhouse for about 40 days in 0.3-1 (3.5 in.) containers treated with 25, 50, or 100 g Cu(OH)2/l (approximately 1.8, 3.5, and 7% (wt/wt), respectively) formulated as Spin OutTM or in non-treated containers. Following greenhouse production and a 4-day acclimation period in a shade-house, the plants were transplanted to a field plot. Cupric hydroxide concentrations that resulted in practical levels of control and/or elimination of root deformation (circled, kinked, and matted roots at container wall-media interfaces) were species dependent, varying between 25 and 100 g/1 (1.8 and 7%). During greenhouse production Cu(OH)2 treatments of 50 or 100 g/1 (3.5 or 7%) increased the vegetative growth of C. cristata and increased the number of flowers on I. Wallerana compared to plants in non-treated containers. After field planting, P. × domesticum grown in 50 or 100 g Cu(OH)2/1 (3.5 or 7%) and I. Wallerana in 100 g Cu(OH)2/1 treated containers had increased vegetative growth. The flowering potential of I. Wallerana was increased by the 50 g Cu(OH)2/1 (3.5%) treatment following field planting.

scholarly journals Geranium and Marigold Response to Fish Waste Compost as a Container Growth Medium and Nitrogen Source

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 485C-485
Author(s):  
Rita L. Hummel ◽  
Shiou Kuo ◽  
Diane Winters ◽  
Eric Jellum
Keyword(s):  
Growth Medium ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Fish Waste ◽  
N Source ◽  
Growing Medium

A fish waste/hemlock-fi r sawdust compost (FWC) was evaluated as a container growth medium and N source for the greenhouse production of marigold (Tagetes patula `Queen Sophia') and geranium (Pelargonium xhortorum `Sprinter Scarlet') in 10-cm containers. Treatments were a factorial set of three Douglasfir bark (B)/three FWC mixtures (100% FWC; 50% FWC/50% B; 100% B) and three rates of N fertilizer (0, 300 and 600 ppm N) applied every 2 weeks. After the initial irrigation, plants were drip-irrigated to negate leaching from the containers. Weekly measurements of leachate conductivity, pH, and inorganic N were made on additional replications of the 0-ppm N plants in all growing media. Plant height and width were measured at 2-week intervals and, at the end of the production cycle, flower number, shoot fresh and dry weight, visual quality, and root dry weight were measured. The growing medium by N interaction was significant for all variables. Results indicated that plants receiving 0 ppm N in 100% FWC were larger and of higher quality than plants in 100% B receiving 600 ppm N. In 100% FWC, marigold shoot growth, dry weight, and quality were not influenced by N rate. The observed geranium and marigold growth response indicated that FWC was an effective N source and growing medium when leaching was minimized with drip irrigation.

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