Nutrient management in nursery production systems

Short Project Description:

It is essential that growers apply fertilizers at the 4 Rs: the right concentration, right rate, right location, and right time to ensure maximal root uptake. The application of the 4 Rs in ornamental crops grown in soilless substrates is primarily constrained by a lack of information and secondarily by unfamiliarity with low-cost, high precision management tools. . The effects of different cultural practices (fertilizer and irrigation management) will be investigated in a series of experiments with perennial nursery crops. Using different nursery crop species, we will assess how (1) digital imagery can be used to monitor crop performance (nutrition and water stress); and (2) fertilizer rate alters plant nutrient uptake and nutrient run-off into the environment. Experiments will be performed on a run-off pad, a unique system that enables the collection of run-off from container-grown crops. We are looking for a student who is interested in plant nutrition and fertilizer management. Agricultural run-off is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the united states and the world. We would like to work with a student who is interested in detailed oriented research collection and analyses. The results from this project will help reduce pollution and decrease costs to help make agricultural more sustainable

Student Responsibilities:

The student will perform daily assessments of plant health and check water quality. We have hundreds of plants growing at NWREC and will be fertilizing many at different rates. The BES student will help us assess how our scientific treatments affects growth, nutrient release, and water quality.

Project Objectives:

The nursery production area is approximately five acres of greenhouse, field, and container yard. The BES student will work with our team who are managing a variety of experiments that look at the interaction between fertilizer concentration, irrigation, and soilless substrates. We are looking for a student who is interested in developing their skills as a horticulturalist and diving deeper in to fertilizer science and mineral nutrition.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Plant production
• Irrigation management
• Fertilizer application
• Data collection
• Data analyses
• Farming or outdoor work.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The student will gain expertise in plant nutrient management, data collection, data analyses, horticulture, and science communication.