Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Developing Environmental and Cultural Protocols for the Production of Containerized Succulents in Greenhouses and Nurseries
Brief Scope of Work:
In the United States, production of succulents for containerized production, crafts, and floral arrangements has increased over the past decade. However, limited research has focused on succulent nutrition, specifically optimal soilless substrate pH and fertility requirements. Optimal soilless substrate pH for most greenhouse crops is between 5.8 to 6.2, though this range may not be optimal for succulents which are native to mineral soils with pH ranging between 5.6 to 9.0. Therefore, the first objective is to determine the optimal substrate pH for succulents grown in soilless substrates during container production. It is postulated that this research will be able to identify the optimal soilless substrate pH thereby maximizing plant growth and overall quality of containerized succulents. Secondly, substrate pH, fertility source, application rate, and timing influence nutrient availability and uptake. Therefore, the second objective is to determine the optimum fertility source, application rate, and time of application and to expand leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges and standards of succulents grown in soilless substrates during container production. It is postulated that this research will be able to identify the optimal fertility source, application rate and time to hasten plant growth and shorten production time. Furthermore, leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges and standards of succulents is limited. It is postulated that this research will be able to establish leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges and standards of popular succulent genera.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 6/30/20 → 6/29/21 |
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