Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2017

Abstract

Poultry litter ash (PLA) is a byproduct of bioenergy production and an effective P source for horticultural crops since it reduces P losses from container production due to its low P solubility. Experiments were conducted to determine effects of rate and placement of PLA on P loss from greenhouse crop production and growth and quality of two commonly-grown greenhouse crops, Verbena canadensis Britton ‘Homestead Purple’ and Lantana camara L. ‘New Gold’, by comparing two rates (140 and 280 g·m-3P or 0.4 and 0.8 lb·yd-3) and two application methods (post-plant topdressed and pre-plant incorporated). Leachate-dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentrations were reduced by an average of 24% as P rate was reduced from 280 to 140 g·m-3, but were 134% less on average when PLA was topdressed instead of incorporated. Foliar P concentrations were less 33% and 44% for verbena and lantana, respectively when plants were topdressed compared to incorporated. Shoot biomass of verbena and lantana was 9% and 24% greater, respectively, when incorporating instead of topdressing PLA. As a P source, PLA should be pre-plant incorporated within the substrate at a total P rate between 140 g·m-3(0.4 lb·yd-3) and 280 g·m-3(0.8 lb·yd-3).

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of Environmental Horticulture

First Page

117

Last Page

127

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