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Excessive electroconductivity measurements have been observed in the surface layer of subirrigated substrates. A hydrophilic gel and rockwool were used as pot mulches in order to reduce the surface layer salt buildup by absorbing the salts and/or reducing evaporation.
Six treatments of `Crimson Fire' and `Victoria' CVI geraniums were grown in 11 cm. pots. Treatments were: Trt 1 - top irrigation, N source 20-10-20; trt 2 - subirrigation, N source 20-10-20; trt 3 - subirrigation, N source in equal portions of 20-10-20 and CRF, gel mulch; trt 4 - subirrigation, N source CRF, gel mulch; trt 5 - subirrigation, N source in equal portions of 20-10-20 and CRF, wool mulch; trt 6 - subirrigation, all N source CRF, wool mulch.
Pots were divided into 3 equal volume portions. Electroconductivity, as a measure of soluble salt (SS) level, was taken. All treatments had increasing SS levels with increasing pot height. Trt 2 had surface layer salt levels significantly higher than trt 1. `Victoria' trts 3,4,5 and 6 surface layers had significantly lower SS levels than trt 1 surface layers. `Crimson Fire' trt 4's surface layer had significantly lower SS levels than the surface layer of trt 1. Trts 4 and 6 bottom layers of both cultivars had significantly lower SS levels than all other treatments.
Recycled subirrigation systems are a possible solution to grower concerns over water use, ground water pollution, and regulations concerning these. The objectives of this experiment were to examine the differences between top- and subirrigated plants, with different fertilizer regimes and with mulches.
Six treatments of `Crimson Fire' and `Victoria' CVI geraniums were grown in 11 cm. pots. Treatments were: top irrigation, 100% N supplied with 20-10-20 soluble fertilizer; subirrigation, 100% N supplied with 20-10-20 soluble fertilizer; subirrigation, N supplied in equal portions of 20-10-20 soluble fertilizer and CRF, gel mulch; subirrigation, N supplied with CRF, gel mulch; subirrigation, N supplied in equal portions of 20-10-20 soluble fertilizer and CRF, wool mulch; subirrigation, all N supplied with CRF, wool mulch.
`Crimson Fire': fresh weight was not significantly different between top- and subirrigation; fresh weight at the same fertilizer level was not significantly different with either a gel or a rockwool mulch; all CRF resulted in the lowest fresh weights. `Victoria': top irrigated fresh weight was significantly higher compared to subirrigated. Gel mulched plants resulted in significantly lower fresh weights than wool mulched plants. All CRF resulted in the lowest fresh weights.