of potential improvement. Our objectives were to: 1) quantify levels of irrigation water leached during production of liner trays in multiple commercial greenhouse operations; 2) quantify nutrient levels in substrate, tissue, and leachate of these
fell within the area occupied by the lysimeter determined from data collected during calibration of each pad. Leachate collection and nitrate analysis. Leachate volume was recorded daily for both experiments with subsamples collected daily for
apply irrigation based on water use have been used successfully to provide adequate irrigation to bedding plants and nursery crops with little to no leachate in research trials ( Burnett and van Iersel, 2008 ; Chappell et al., 2013 ; Lea-Cox et al
leachate was collected weekly using the nondestructive PourThru extraction method ( Wright, 1986 ). Substrate leachate pH was measured using a pH meter (pHTestr 20; Oakton Instruments, Vernon Hills, IL), and EC using an EC meter (ECTestr 11, Oakton
; Welsh and Zajicek, 1993 ); and/or an increase in leachate volume, which can cause an increase in nutrient losses. Improving irrigation efficiency can be achieved by scheduling irrigation with the appropriate use of sensors rather than by relying on
( Gavlak et al., 2003 ). To monitor pH and EC changes in media over time, leachate was collected from the pots every 2 weeks from three blocks per treatment using a modified pour-through method ( Wright, 1986 ) and was analyzed for pH and EC using a pH
in an ice bath. After 30 min, most of the solution was collected, stored in plastic vials, and frozen until analyzed. After removing the collected leachates, stopcocks were left open overnight to fully drain. On the second day the columns were
, and 9 representing ideal leaf size and color. Coleus shoot dry weight was collected at 6 WAPs and dried at 40 °C for 72 h, and dry weight was determined gravimetrically. Leachate collection and analyses Leachate was collected using 3-gal
, and leachate from solid waste facilities. The regulatory and management framework associated with each of these nutrient sources determines the overall impact of urban areas on adjacent water resources. Strategies to identify and reduce urban
estimate P loss potential to water sources ( McDowell et al., 2001 ; Sims et al., 2002 ). A split-line model was introduced to describe the relationship between STP and water- or calcium chloride-extractable P or DRP in leachate ( McDowell et al., 2001