Academic literature on the topic 'Horticulture, ornamentals'

The author investigated, recorded, observed and analyzed the major wildflowers in Mount Huangshan---the natural and cultural heritages listed by the ESC0 of UN for the first time. On the basis of their desirable characteristics, more than 300 wild ornamental species are divided into 8 categories -–-historical old trees, rare and endangered species, evergreen ornamentals, blooming trees and shrubs, plants with colored foliage and fruit in fall, vines, herbaceous ornamentals and ground covers, and ornamental ferns. Mount Huangshan is one of the richest regions of native ornamentals in Eastern China and the most famous natural beauty in Pan-China. There are about 1500 wild landscape plants in and around it. Finally the paper puts forth some proposals and methods for introduction and utilization of wild ornamental plants. That is, investigation, classification,acclimatization and cultivation of them, and building a sort-out botanical garden for the germplasmic preservation and the flourishing landscape tourism.

As a result of the coexistence of turfgrass and ornamentals in traditional landscapes, it is often impractical to separate fertilization and irrigation management among species. Furthermore, limited information is available on effects of turfgrass fertilizer on ornamental plants and vice versa. This research studied effects of two quick-release fertilizers (QRF) and one slow-release fertilizer (SRF) on quality and growth of turfgrass and ornamental plants and nutrient leaching. ‘Floratam’ St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum Walt. Kuntze) was compared with a mix of common Florida ornamentals, including canna (Canna generalis L.H. Bailey), nandina (Nandina domestica Thunb.), ligustrum (Ligustrum japonicum Thunb.), and allamanda (Allamanda cathartica L.). All plants were grown in 300-L plastic pots in Arredondo fine sand. Less nitrate (NO3 −) was leached from turfgrass than from ornamentals and more NO3 − leached from QRF 16N–1.7P–6.6K than from SRF 8N–1.7P–9.9K. Quick-release fertilizers produced higher plant quality. This controlled environment research provides preliminary data on which in situ research may be modeled. Further research is required to verify how nutrient release rate affects turfgrass and ornamental quality and nitrate leaching in an urban landscape.

Growth characteristics and marketing of woody ornamentals prevent crop scheduling common in floriculture crops. However, many tasks in the production of woody ornamentals require coordination with the season and/or physiological state of the species. Since most woody ornamental nurseries produce many species or cultivars, a variety of tasks occur concurrently. This review highlights the major tasks required during production for most species of woody plants. The physiological and environmental factors that dictate or influence scheduling are discussed.

In many sectors of agriculture, precision irrigation, applying only what water is needed for a given small area, has become a familiar term. Irrigation in most woody ornamental nurseries, though, has changed little since the 1960s. In many areas of the U.S., irrigation volumes required for nursery production have come under scrutiny due to projected, or real, competition for water with urban populations, or concerns over nursery runoff. Modeling of woody ornamental water use, and subsequent irrigation requirements, has been limited and focused mostly on trees. Previous research for modeling of non-tree water use is reviewed as an introduction to current efforts to develop models for precision irrigation of woody ornamentals. Pitfalls and limitations in current modeling efforts, along with suggestions for standardizing future research is emphasized. The latest model derived from recent research is presented.

Ornamental plants are cultivated for decorative and utility purposes in urban landscapes throughout the world. They are much valued for their aesthetic properties and constitute an important part of the global horticulture industry. Plant viruses and viroids of various taxonomic groups have a significant negative impact on ornamentals provoking a wide range of symptoms, reducing both decorative value and quality of propagated material and causing large economic damage. A significant growth of the ornamental plants market in recent years promotes the spread of viral diseases. Therefore, systematization of data on virus and viroid phytopathogens diversity in these cultures is an urgent research task. Among the most popular ornamentals are chrysanthemum, rose, clematis, canna, and lavender. More than fifty viruses and viroids from 17 different families (including two viroid families) have been identified in these crops to date. In the presented review, we described the variety of these pathogens and their effect on the above-mentioned ornamentals

CO2 assimilation rate of Crassula hybrid `Himaturi', a succulent ornamental species with the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthetic pathway, was affected by light intensity (50, 100, 300 μmol·m–2·s–1), photoperiod (16/8, 8/16 h day/night), and temperature (30/25, 25/20 °C day/night). Maximum assimilation of CO2 occurred at 300 μmol·m–2·s–1 of diurnal irradiance, 16/8 h day/night photoperiod, and a day/night temperature of 30/25 °C. Diurnal CO2 assimilation patterns of nine succulent ornamental CAM species were evaluated (300 μmol·m–2 s–1, 35/25 °C day/night and a 16/8-h day/night photoperiod) for CO2 fixation. Of the nine ornamentals, Crassula `Himaturi' had the highest and Echeveria derembergii the lowest maximum CO2 absorption rate (13.0 vs 2.4 μmol kg–1·s–1), total nighttime (179.3 vs 13.4 mmol·kg–1), and 24 h total (200.6 vs 19.0 mmol·kg–1) absorption. Based on the CO2 assimilation patterns, the nine ornamentals were separated into two groups: 1) full CAM (Faucaria tigrina, Gasteria gracilis var. minima, Haworthia cymbiformis, and Haworthia fasciata); and 2) weakly CAM (Adromischus clarifolius, Crassula hybrids `Moonglow' and `Himaturi', E. derembergii, and Haworthia retusa).

The nursery industry currently has few options for effective season-long weed control, because few soil persistent herbicides are registered for use in ornamentals. An herbicide that provides season-long weed control with minimal injury to ornamentals would be extremely beneficial because it would enable the nurseryman to produce high-quality ornamentals with minimal weed interference Sulfentrazone (F6285), a newly developed herbicide from the FMC Corp., has shown promising results for weed control in field trials with ornamentals. Additional, trials are needed to further evaluate sulfentrazone in hopes that it may be registered for use in ornamentals in the future. Our objectives are 1) to increase long-term weed management in ornamentals, including woody species and groundcover; 2) to evaluate rate structures of sulfentrazone and combinations, including preemergence and postemergence herbicides; 3) to evaluate sulfentrazone selectivity in weed species and in ornamentals; 4) to evaluate sulfentrazone mode of action in weed species; and 5) to measure the soil activity of sulfentrazone. To achieve the first three objectives, a randomized complete block design will be used to evaluate 10 woody species and 17 herbicide combinations. The response variables will be weed control and phytotoxicity ratings taken at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment. The results of this study will be used in ongoing research trials in an attempt to register sulfentrazone (F6285) for use in ornamentals.

In most highly developed countries, landscaping and ornamental plants are routine components of the urban environment. However, in many Third World countries, this is not the situation outside of the larger cities. Landscaping and ornamentals are associated with hotels, public parks, offices, government buildings, and wealth; they are not significant commodities in rural settings. However, as urban areas in these countries—such as Senegal—expand and modernize, there is an increased demand for ornamental plants. Senegal’s urban population has almost doubled during the past five decades, increasing from 23% in 1960 to 43% in 2013. New jobs and sources of income are available for individuals who are properly trained in ornamental plant production and maintenance. Senegal has several rural training centers where some courses in agronomy and vegetable production are taught, but ornamental plant production is not included in the curriculum. This U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Farmer-to-Farmer project was conducted at one of those rural training centers at Djilor to introduce ornamental horticulture into the curriculum and to make students aware of ornamental plant production practices and the opportunities available to them if they become involved in a horticulture business.

Amaryllidaceae plants are collectively called as Amaryllids, majority are ornamentals, beyond beauty they also boon for perfume, vegetables and medicine. They are playing a key role in horticulture as ornamental plants, used for decoration in all kinds of ceremonies and florists often used in bouquets. The present paper deals with 19 species belonging to 10 genera and key to the species, brief description, Flowering and fruiting period, locality, economic importance, photographs etc. were provided.

Am Standort Dresden-Pillnitz wurde von 2009 bis 2011 an neuen Lösungen für eine programmierte Produktion von Pelargonien und Poinsettien geforscht. Ziel war eine verbesserte Nutzung der Steuerungstechnik in den Gewächshäusern für eine energiesparende, umweltfreundliche und sichere Produktion. Mit speziellen Softwarebausteinen auf dem Bedienungs-PC der Gewächshäuser lassen sich 10 bis 20 Prozent Heizenergie und damit CO2-Emissionen einsparen. Weitere Bausteine überwachen die reale Wärme- und Lichtentwicklung und nehmen automatische Anpassungen an die Jahreswitterung vor. Eine mengenbilanzierte Düngung sichert die bedarfsgerechte Nährstoffversorgung für die geplante Pflanzengröße. Die neuen Lösungen verringern den Kontroll- und Bedienaufwand und erhöhen die Kultursicherheit. Für Pelargonien und Poinsettien werden spezielle Kombinationen von Programmbausteinen empfohlen.

An Zierpflanzen im Gewächshaus wurden mengenbilanzierte Düngungsverfahren getestet. Die Düngegaben erfolgten in Wochenportionen per Hand, mit Dosiergeräten, per Düngecomputer oder als Depotdünger. In die Versuche wurden Pelargonien, Sommertopfkulturen im Gewächshaus, Poinsettien und Cyclamen einbezogen. Wochenportionen können nur bei einheitlichen Anbausätzen je Bewässerungseinheit realisiert werden. Der Kostenaufwand bei Depotdünger beträgt das Dreifache gegenüber einer Bewässerungsdüngung. Allerdings sind die Düngeverluste geringer. Mit einer mengenbilanzierten Düngung lassen sich Über- und Unterversorgung der Pflanzen vermeiden.

Im Zeitraum von 2008 bis 2011 wurden jährlich über 140 Stauden sowie weitere 120 Staudenarten aus Zwiebeln und Knollen als Schnittblume aus dem Freiland getestet. Ergebnis ist ein 77 Arten umfassendes Sortiment von Stauden mit guten Anbaueigenschaften und Stielqualitäten, die für den zeitigen Absatz bis Ende Juni empfohlen werden. Das Empfehlungssortiment an Schnittstauden aus Zwiebeln und Knollen umfasst 73 Kulturen. Die vorgestellten »Pillnitzer Wochensträuße« verdeutlichen die vielfältigen Möglichkeiten, ab Mitte April ohne Verfrühungsmaßnahmen Schnittblumen von Stauden im Freiland zu erzeugen. Beispielrechnungen zeigen, dass sich mit Schnittstauden im Freilandanbau gute Erlöse erzielen lassen. Investitionen und Energiekosten fallen nicht an bzw. sind gering.

Peat is an expensive, environmentally nonrenewable component of media used to grow woody ornamental trees. Leaf compost from the city of Bowling Green is an inexpensive renewable resource that was substituted for peat in soil-less container media. Seeds of three commercially important tree species, Koelreuteria paniculata (goldenraintree), Quercus alba (white oak), and Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) were grown in 473 mL bottomless milk containers for 150 days, then repotted to 3785 mL pots for 90 days. Media ratios were 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1 parts commercial media to leaf compost from the Western Kentucky University Agricultural Research Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Destructive and nondestructive measurements were made at 90, 150, 210, and 240 days after planting (DAP). K. paniculata root weight, stem weight, leaf weight, leaf number, and stem height was higher at 90 DAP; stem and leaf growth increased at 210 DAP when grown in a media containing compost; thus it may be a good candidate for use in such a system. Q. alba growth was decreased by the addition of compost and does not appear to be a good candidate for proposed media. At 240 DAP, root weight decreased from 4.777g when grown in commercial media compared to 0.997g in leaf compost. Q. alba leaf number also decreased from 8.5 in commercial media to 0.5 with leaf compost. The results from M. grandiflora were mixed, and further classification is necessary. Media samples showed increased soil pH from 6.2 in the commercial mix to 8.5 in pure compost. Elevated pH and its associated availability of anions and cations likely was the greatest factor influencing growth of these trees. Economic analysis demonstrated that significant cost savings to the producer could be achieved by using compost as a media component.

Nurseries growing potted ornamental plants carry an important activity in the overall agricultural production in Catalonia. As a result of the activity developed and agricultural practices adopted by nursery growers (irrigation and fertilization methods) will eventually generate leachates containing nutrients from fertilizers, especially nitrates (NO3-). The final destination of the nursery leachates is frequently it discharges into the surrounding medium. For this reason, certain plant-growing areas causes non-point source NO3- pollution of the groundwater. Many cultural practices have been adopted by nursery growers to limit this type of pollution. The considerations described above highlight the need for studies evaluating the effect of agricultural practices on the leachates composition from outdoor crops and, if appropriate, propose an alternative to reduce NO3- in the same place of origin. Therefore, the objectives of the thesis are: - to identify fertilization methods and other agricultural practices adopted by nurseries growing potted ornamental plants in Barcelona and Girona, - to determine the effect of applying two fertilization methods on the leachates composition from two crops of potted ornamental plants, and - to assess the appropriateness of using horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (HSsH) for treating nursery leachates and optimize the denitrification process developed in them. Some experiments were carried out to meet these objectives. In the first experiment a survey was designed and conducted to the nursery growers of Barcelona and Girona. As a result of this work common fertilization methods were identified and two successive experiments were raised and conducted to answer the second objective. These experiments consisted on using the two standard fertilization strategies of nurseries (fertigation or controlled released fertilizers-FLC-) for two outdoor potted crops (a woody ornamental plant and other herbaceous ornamental plant) and different doses. Once leachates were characterized in terms of the different forms of N, four experiments were designed to meet the third objective. These consisted on treating nursery leachates by HSsH, an effective alternative to conventional technology in treating water with a high NO3- content. A first-order plug-flow kinetic model based on NO3- removal was used to design a pilot plant with HSsH, in which experiments were conducted. These were different in the type of carbon source (sodium acetate -AcNa- or methanol -Me-) and dose added to promote influent denitrification. The results related to the first goal showed that fertilization methods and other agricultural practices related to irrigation and leachates management are very different depending on the type of common crop in each province. Thus, in Girona, where woody crops are most frequent, growers usually apply FLC and use overhead irrigation. However, in Barcelona, where herbaceous crops in season are performed, growers usually apply nutrient solutions (NS) by continuous fertigation and use drip or micro-sprinkler irrigation systems.The application of FLC to the crop resulted in the acidification of the leachates respect of the application of SN by fertigation.The coincidence of high growing media temperatures and prolonged heavy rain events during one of the two crops, indicated a greater initial loss of N by leaching to the environment when FLC are applied and, consequently, a decrease of FLC longevity.The results related to the third goal showed that the design of the pilot plant with HSsH was suitable for treating nursery leachates. The denitrification rate was greatest applying AcNa to achieve a C:N-NO3- ratio of 3:1. However, the application of this ratio and AcNa involves the addition of carbon and sodium in excess of purified effluent, respectively. The quality of the effluent and the denitrification process were enhanced when Me is applied to reach C:N-NO3- ratio of 1:1.5.<br>El subsector productor de plantas ornamentales en contenedor al exterior constituye una actividad de remarcable importancia en el conjunto de la producción agrícola de Cataluña. Como resultado de la actividad desarrollada y de las prácticas agrícolas adoptadas (modos de riego y fertilización), eventualmente se generarán lixiviados caracterizados por un alto contenido en nutrientes procedentes de los fertilizantes, principalmente en nitratos (NO3-). Normalmente, el destino de estos lixiviados es su vertido al medio circundante. Por este motivo, las zonas productoras de ornamentales se consideran, entre otras, puntos de contaminación difusa del subsuelo por NO3-. Algunas técnicas para disminuir o evitar este tipo de contaminación, consisten en adoptar ciertas prácticas agrícolas o proceder a su tratamiento. Las consideraciones antes mencionadas ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de realizar estudios que evalúen el efecto de las prácticas agrícolas habituales en la composición de los lixiviados generados y, en el caso que proceda, proponer una alternativa para reducir la carga de NO3- en el mismo lugar de procedencia. Por tanto, los objetivos de esta Tesis son: - identificar los modos de fertilización y las prácticas agrícolas habituales en el subsector productor de plantas ornamentales en contenedor al exterior en Barcelona y Girona, - determinar el efecto de aplicar los modos de fertilización identificados en la composición de los lixiviados generados por dos cultivos de plantas ornamentales, y - evaluar la idoneidad de realizar un tratamiento de los lixiviados mediante humedales artificiales de flujo subsuperficial horizontal (HSsH) y optimizar el proceso de desnitrificación. Para responder estas cuestiones se realizaron diferentes estudios. En el primero se diseñó y realizó una encuesta a los principales productores de plantas ornamentales de Barcelona y Girona. Una vez identificados los modos de fertilización habituales, se diseñaron dos estudios para responder al segundo objetivo. Estos consistieron en aplicar a dos cultivos (uno de planta leñosa y otro de planta herbácea), fertirrigación o fertilizantes de liberación controlada (FLC) a diferentes dosis. Una vez caracterizadas las diferentes formas de N en los lixiviados de los dos cultivos descritos, se diseñaron cuatro estudios para responder al tercer objetivo. Consistieron en realizar un tratamiento de lixiviados mediante HSsH, un sistema biológico de depuración alternativo a la tecnología convencional para desnitrificar efluentes. Se diseñó y dimensionó una planta piloto según el modelo cinético de primer orden basado en la eliminación de NO3-, en la cual se realizaron cuatro experimentos diferentes en cuanto al tipo (acetato sódico, AcNa, o metanol, Me) y la dosis de la fuente carbonada añadida para promover la desnitrificación del influente. Los resultados mostraron que los modos de fertilización habituales están vinculados al tipo de cultivo realizado. Así, en Girona, donde son más frecuentes los cultivos de plantas leñosas, se aplican fertilizantes de liberación controlada (FLC), y en Barcelona, donde predominan los cultivos de plantas herbáceas de temporada, se aplican soluciones nutritivas mediante fertirrigación continua. La aplicación de diferentes cantidades de N mediante FLC provocó la acidificación de los lixiviados respecto a la aplicación de fertirrigación. El acontecimiento conjunto de precipitaciones elevadas y altas temperaturas en el sustrato durante la realización del cultivo con planta leñosa, provocó una mayor pérdida inicial de N por lixiviación del FLC, por lo que se redujo su longevidad. La tasa de desnitrificación en los HSsH fue máxima al aplicar AcNa en un ratio C:N-NO3- de 3:1. Sin embargo, la aplicación de este ratio y de AcNa supone la adición de carbono y de sodio en exceso al efluente depurado,respectivamente. La calidad del efluente y el proceso de desnitrificación mejoran al aplicar Me en un ratio C:N-NO3- de 1.5:1.

The horticulture industry is facing limited water resources and public pressure to reduce non-point source pollution. In some circumstances, recapturing and recycling of irrigation water in horticultural nurseries can generate significant savings relative to the costs of alternative water sources and potentially reduce non-point source pollution. However, obtaining these savings may also incur substantial risk and capital cost outlays. Disease risk may increase in nurseries that implement recapturing and recycling if recycled water is not properly treated. These added costs must be compared with costs of alternative sources of water, such as municipal or well water. This study employed partial budgeting to compare irrigation water being extended or supplemented through recapturing and recycling against the most feasible alternative. On-site visits were conducted to obtain information for partial budgets and to clarify the reasoning of nurseries choosing to recycle irrigation water. The partial budgets were supplemented with sensitivity analysis with regard to the extraction cost of water and opportunity cost of land used for recapture of water. Six of eight nurseries obtained water from recapturing and recycling at a lower cost compared to a feasible alternative source. The regrading of land for maximum recapture, opportunity cost of land dedicated to a recapture pond, and the cost of municipal water were parameters that were critical to the irrigation choice. Sensitivity analysis indicated that water price and land cost had little effect on the least cost option. Irrigation recycling could be incentivized to motivate further water conservation within the horticulture industry.<br>Master of Science