Articles
PINE TREE SUBSTRATE: AN ALTERNATIVE AND RENEWABLE SUBSTRATE FOR HORTICULTURAL CROP PRODUCTION
Article number
819_30
Pages
265 – 272
Language
English
Abstract
Due to supply restrictions, rising costs, and increasing environmental concerns over the use of horticultural substrates like peat moss (P) and pine bark (PB), the need for alternative materials that are renewable and economical are currently being investigated in the United States.
A wood based substrate prepared by grinding whole delimbed pine logs (Pinus taeda L.) has recently been developed and investigated as a viable substrate alternative.
Loblolly pine is an abundant and fast growing native tree species to the southeastern United States.
Research has been conducted on the pine tree substrate (PTS) (registered as WoodGro™ to determine physical properties, plant growth and fertility management, decomposition rates, and post-transplant (landscape) performance of plants grown in PTS. Research conducted from 2004 through 2007 has shown that PTS can be manufactured to have desirable physical properties needed for optimal plant growth of a wide range of woody and herbaceous crops.
Fertility investigations of plants grown in PTS show that additional fertilizer is required, but growth can be achieved similar to that in traditional P and PB substrates.
Observations of PTS indicate little or no shrinkage or substrate decomposition occurring with greenhouse crops or even after 2 years for woody nursery crops.
Landscape evaluations of various plants grown in PTS show no quality or performance differences than plants grown in other substrates.
With proper preparation and cultural management practices PTS can be a reliable, consistent, renewable, and economical alternative to traditional substrates for both nursery and greenhouse crop production.
A wood based substrate prepared by grinding whole delimbed pine logs (Pinus taeda L.) has recently been developed and investigated as a viable substrate alternative.
Loblolly pine is an abundant and fast growing native tree species to the southeastern United States.
Research has been conducted on the pine tree substrate (PTS) (registered as WoodGro™ to determine physical properties, plant growth and fertility management, decomposition rates, and post-transplant (landscape) performance of plants grown in PTS. Research conducted from 2004 through 2007 has shown that PTS can be manufactured to have desirable physical properties needed for optimal plant growth of a wide range of woody and herbaceous crops.
Fertility investigations of plants grown in PTS show that additional fertilizer is required, but growth can be achieved similar to that in traditional P and PB substrates.
Observations of PTS indicate little or no shrinkage or substrate decomposition occurring with greenhouse crops or even after 2 years for woody nursery crops.
Landscape evaluations of various plants grown in PTS show no quality or performance differences than plants grown in other substrates.
With proper preparation and cultural management practices PTS can be a reliable, consistent, renewable, and economical alternative to traditional substrates for both nursery and greenhouse crop production.
Publication
Authors
B.E. Jackson, R.D. Wright
Keywords
container substrate, ground trees, loblolly pine, N-immobilization, peat alternative, pine bark, pine chips, potting media, wood substrate, WoodGro™
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