-grown nursery crops in North America and worldwide, are commonly produced using CRFs owing to the benefits derived from this fertilization method, such as reduced labor costs and improved nutrient use efficiency ( Alam et al., 2009 ; Chen et al., 2001 , 2011
fertilizer solution to improve tomato cultivation using this system ( Masuda and Fukumoto, 2008 ; Morishige et al., 2009a , 2009b ). Compared with LF, CRF is economical, because it does not require equipment for adjustment of nutrient concentration and
-release fertilizers (SRF), CRFs, and stabilized fertilizers ( Slater, 2010 ). Slow-release fertilizers are long-chain molecules with reduced solubility, such as methylene urea, which typically need microbial degradation to release plant available N. Stabilized
changes in the chemical properties of bagged potting mixes in storage have been studied. Carlile (2004) warned that in potting mixes containing CRFs, the slow release of the nutrients over time can lead to serious problems stemming from high nutrient
(CRFs) formulated from resin or polymer-coated water-soluble fertilizers are used primarily in substrate and field soil production. Release rates for polymer-coated CRFs are predictable and primarily driven by temperature and coating-membrane thickness
, and K applied, respectively, were leached during propagation in eight different commercial greenhouses ( Santos et al., 2008 ). CRFs are polymer-enclosed fertilizers that release nutrients based on the temperature and moisture status of the substrate
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services adopted a series of best management practices, which includes the use of CRF ( Bartnick et al., 2005 ). Controlled-release fertilizers are SFs occluded in a polymer, resin, sulfur, or a polymer covering a sulfur
methods to manage crop nutrition. CRFs are a recommended ( Bilderback et al., 2013 ) and widely adopted ( Dennis et al., 2010 ) nutrient delivery method for containerized crops. CRFs contain encapsulated, solid mineral nutrients that, in the presence of
application of CRFs ( Alam et al., 2009 ; Chen et al., 2011 ; Yeager and Cashion, 1993 ). However, soon after CRF application, a short duration of nutrient leaching at high levels is frequently seen with CRFs, which is especially problematic in fluctuating
produce a salable container-grown crop. In outdoor container nursery production, P and other plant-essential nutrients are commonly supplied by controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) incorporated into the substrate (preplant) or applied to the substrate