COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

FOR COMMERCIAL

GROWERS
Summer 1989

CONTROL

OF APHIDS

ON ORNAMENTAL

CROPS

JA Bethkq S.L. Veh, .tM. Garcia, andA4.P. Parrella

Depwtmentof
Entomology,
University of Califo*
Rivd
Aphids have become increasingly
important pests in ornamental crops
during the last few years. As aphids feed,
honeydew is excreted, promoting the
growth of black sooty mold which reduces photosynthesis and the aesthetic
value of the crop. Feeding on young
foliage can cause serious leaf distortion
and stunting of growth. Aphids are also
known to transmit several plant viruses,
making it imperative to control populations. Due to parthenogenetic reproduction (reproduction by unmated females)
and the birth of live young, populations
Present address: Department of Entomology,
University of California, Davis

/
co&NTs
pa
Control of aphids on Ornamental Crops ........
Fumigation of Western Flower Thrips
Using Banana Bags (Polyethylene-D)
During Simulated Shipment of Cut
Flowers ..............................................................
Control of Algae on Greenhouse Walks ..........
The Effectiveness of Hydrogels in
Container Plant Production is Reduced
By Fertilizer Salts ............................................

build up very quickly, particularly in the

controlled environment of a greenhouse.
Adding to the problem, it is suspected
that some aphids have begun to develop
resistance to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. For these reasons,
controlling aphids is important, yet difficult to accomplish.
As mentioned above, some species of
aphids have begun to show resistance to
some insecticides. It is therefore important to determine which aphid species
one is dealing with before selecting an
appropriate control (Vehrs et al. 1988).
At the present time, a survey is being
conducted to identify the aphid pests
found in California greenhouses on ornamental crops. Approximately
ten
species have been found thus far; however, two species have been by far the
most common.
These are the green
peach aphid, Mjzus persicae (Sulzer),
and the cotton or melon aphid, Aphid
gossypii Glover. Both of these species are
found attacking a wide variety of plants
from several different families and both
transmit several different plant viruses.
Three insecticide screening trials have
been conducted by the ornamentals project at U.C. Riverside in order to evaluate
the efficacy of different chemicals for the
control of aphids (Table 1). Some of the

compounds tested are new chemicals

which have not yet been registered for
use in California and some are older
materials which are being re-evaluated.
Trial I. The first trial wasconducted in
a greenhouse at U.C. Riverside to evaluate the efficacy of four insecticidal treatments against the melon aphid infesting
chrysanthemums, Lkndranthema grandifloru Tzvelev. Each treatment, including a water control, was applied to ten
chrysanthemum plants growing in 6 inch
pots under greenhouse conditions. A
one gallon B & G handsprayer was used
to apply materials at 45 psi at a volume
proportional
to 100 gallons per acre.
Pretreatment counts were taken before
application and posttreatment counts
were made at 4,10, and 15 days thereafter. Evaluations were made by counting
the number of live aphids present on one
randomly selected marked leaf per plant
and on the terminal of each plant.
All treatments showed good results at
4 and 10 days posttreatment (Tables 2
and 3). At 15 days posttreatment, Mavrik
provided the best control followed by
Rohm & Haas RH 7988 and Black Leaf
40. Safers Insecticidal Soap is a contact
poison; therefore, it was not expected to
give residual control. It did give good
results until after day 4. No phytotoxicity
was observed in any of the treatments.

The Unkenky
of Wifomla,
in complianra
rrith the Civil Rights Act of 1 OS4, Title lX of the Education
Amendments
of 1972, and the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, does not discriminate
on the basis cd race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, or mental or physical handlcap
In any of Its programs or activities, or with respect to any d its employment
pokier,
pmctica,
of procedures.
The Uniwrslty
cl CalWomia does not dlscrlmlnata
on the basisof age, ancestry, sexual orientation,
marital status, citizenship,
medical condition
(as defined
in section 12928 cd the Callfomia
Gavernm-ant Code), nor because Individuals
are disabled
or Vietnam era veterans.
Inquiries regarding
this policy may bn directed to the Director,
CNtka of Affirrnatlvs Actlon, Divlslon ol Agrlcuitum
and Natuml tkxwces,
300 Lakeside Drhre, Dakland, WWomia
94612-3550,
(415) 887-OOg7.
Unlvenity

of California

and U.S. Cupartment

of Agrlculhrre

cooperating.

Table 1. Materials evaluated for aphid control.

Trade Name

Manufacturer

Common Name

Black Leaf 40
Danitol
Dursban
Mavrick
Orthene
Pounce
RH 7988
Safers Soap
Talstar
XRD 473

Black Leaf Products

Sumitomo
Dow
ZoecomSandoz
Chevron
FMC
Rohm & Haas
Safer Agro-Chem
FMC
Dow

Nicotine Sulfate
Fenpropathrin
Chlotpyrifcs
Fluvalinate
Acephate
Permethrin
Rohm St Haas Numbered Compound
Potassium Salt of a Fatty Acid
Bifenthtin
Insect Growth Regulator

Trial IL The second trial was also

conducted in a greenhouse at U.C. Riverside to evaluate four separate insecticides and two tank mixtures for control
of the melon aphid on chrysanthemums.
Each treatment and the water control
was applied to four chrysanthemum
plants growing in 6 inch pots under
greenhouse conditions as described in
the previous trial. Apretreatment count
and three posttreatment counts after 5,
10, and 15 days were made by counting
the live aphids on one terminal and one
leaf of each replicate.
All of the chemicals tested resulted in
good control through day 15 (Tables 4
and 5). Danitol2.4EC,
Pounce 3.2EC,
Pounce and Orthene, and Dursban and
Pounce gave slightly better control than
Dursban 50W or Orthene 75s alone.
Trial lIL The most recent trial was
conducted at a commercial nursery in
San Diego County to evaluate the effi-

posttreatment
count, few if any live
aphids were found on any of the terminals. Rohm and Haas compound #RH
7988 and Black Leaf 40 appeared to
provide the best control; however, no
significant differences were found between any of the treatments and the
control.
CONCLUSIONS

cacy of treatments against the green

peach aphid on field grown Shasta
daisies, Chrysanthemummaximum Ram.
Each treatment, including a water control, was applied to four, randomly selected, twenty-four sections of ground
beds containing plants growing in a 0.5
acre field on a north-facing slope. A 15
liter backpack sprayer was used to apply
the treatments at about 45 psi. Pretreatment counts were taken before application andposttreatments weremade after
7,14, and 23 days. The total number of
live aphids were counted from ten randomly-selected terminals (young flower
spikes) in each twenty-foot section.
Beginning with the pretreatment
count, it was noted that high numbers of
aphid parasites and predators were present in the field (Table 6). At the first
posttreatment count, numbers of live
aphids had already begun to decline even
on the control plants.
By the last

Table 2. Efficacy of selected insecticides against melon aphid,&is

Glover, on chrysanthemum, Dena?anthcma grana?jlora Tzvelev.

gosypii

In these studies, the melon aphid

(MA) was easier to control than the
green peach aphid (GPA). Mavrik was
generally effective against MA and ineffective against GPA. This compound is
one of the safer pyrethroid insecticides
for both applicators and plants. However, there may be a problem with eye
irritation
with Mavrik and possible
phytotoxicity problems on lilies. Nicotine sulfate was effective in most trials
against both aphid species. Although of
botanic origin, this material is highly
toxic (Category 1) and is very volatile.
Should the new worker protection standards go into effect, this product would
have a mandatory 48 hour re-entry inter- T
val. Adding soap to the nicotine sulfate
may enhance its effectiveness (Parrella
1988). Nicotine is generally safe on
plants and open blooms, but problems
have been reported on violets, ferns,
certain chrysanthemum cultivars, and
orchids. Care should be exercised when
using this product on plants sensitive to

Table 3. Efficacy of selected insecticides against melon aphid, Aphlgos@i

Glover, on chrysanthemum, Dendranthenta gradiifloa Tzvelev.
Mean Number of Aphids per Terminal*

Mean Number of Aphids per Leaf*

Rate per
100 Gal

Rate per
100 Gal

Day 0

Day 4

Day 10

Day 15

2.1 20.9,

7.5k3.9,

52.7 k15.2,

67.1 k13.7,

0.9 kO.2,

5.9 3.0,s

32.8 &17.7,, 63.0 k14.8,

Black Leaf 40 0.39 Gal

40% (AI)

1.4 kO.5,

0.0 +O.O,

1.5 kO.7,

7.2 +lL$,

BlackLeaf 40 0.39 Gal 21.2rt5.2,

40% (AI)

Rohm & Haas 0.125 lb

RH 7988 4E
WI

1.3 +0.4,

0.0 kO.0,

0.1 +O.l,

5.3 -1-1.6,

Rohm &Haas
RH 7988 4E

Mavrik 2FM

0.8 +0.2,

O.O+O.O,

0.0 kO.0,

0.8 +0.7,

Mavrik2FM

Treatment
Control
Safers Soap
51% (AI)

2.0 Gal

0.15 lb
WI

$10 plants per treatment; 1 leaf sampled per plant per date (the same leaf was
marked and sampled over time). Means followed by the same in a column are
not significantly different (P=O.O5) DMRT.

Flower & Nursery Report

Treatment

Day 0

Day 4

Day 10

Day 15

19.7 +5.9, 71.7 223.7, 183.9 k38.7, 256.4 245.2,

Control
Safers Soap
51% (AI)

2.0 Gal

21.4 +5.8,

1.0 20.4,

10.8 k3.6, 258.4 k42.9,

0.0 +O.O,

1.1 kO.5,

8.4 28.6,

0.125 lb 21.5 k5.5,

(AI)

0.1 +O.l,

0.7 kO.3,

14.5 k5.9,

0.15 lb
WI

0.0 -cO.O, 0.0 20.0,

1.0 *0.7s

26.1 k5.1,

l 10 plants per treatment; a terminal sampled per plant per date (the terminal was
sampled over time). Means followed by the letter in a column are not significantly
different (P=O.O5) DMRT.

Summer 1989

tobacco mosaic virus. Dursban and

Pounce,although not generally considered good aphidicides, performed well
against MA
The newproducts testedin thesetrials
(Danitol, Talstar, and RH 7988) may
offer some hope in the future for aphid
control. Talstar has been registered on
ornamentalsin mostof the U.S.for more
than two years;registration is still pending in California. The delay has been

causedby a request for additional resiREFERENCES

due data by the California Department
of Food and Agriculture. A label for Parrella, M.P. 1988. Organic gardening.
Danitol may come through in 1989with
Greenhouse Manager 6:91,92,94-%.
RH 7988 obtaining registration sometime in the 1990s.
Vehrs, S.L., J.A. Bethke, J. Garcia, &
Acknowledgements
These studies were supM.P. Parrella. 1988. Aphids: Comported,in part,by grantsfrom the California
mon Problems on Numerous OrnaState Florists Association, the California Asmentals. Calif. Florists Magazine.
sociation of Nurserymen and the American
Jan. 15 pp.
Floral Endowment.

FUMIGATION
OF WESTERN FLOWER THRIPS USING
BANANA BAGS (POLYETHYLENE-D)
DURING
SIMULATED
SHIPMENT OF CUT FLOWERS
SteveA. T$9svold
of California Cooperative Extension, Santa Gnu County

Farm Adviror, Univ~

Ea#emion Entomoli~&
.-

Presently U. S. flowers are receiving

premium prices on the Japanesemarket
relative to domestic U. S. prices. Yet
flower importation is restricted by the
Japanesegovernment, which demands
that all plant material entering Japan be
free of insects,either live or dead.
For California flower growers, controlling all of the insectson flower crops
isverydifficult. Western flower thrips, in
particular, is difficult to control because
it feeds in protected areas,such as partially opened buds or unfolded leaves.
This complicatescontrol due to the inaccessibilityof thosehiding sites. Furthermore, insecticidesused to control thrips
are not completely effective due to resistance and other factors.
Thisstudyattempted todetermine the
effectivenessof controlling thrips during
stimulated shipment by wrapping the
flowers with a commercially available
polyethylene bag (banana bag) containing 1% chlorpyrifos (Polyethylene-D).
Chlorpyrifos is volatile and its fumes
should penetrate the flowers and kill the
thrips.

A. D. Ail
Univ@ of CalijYomia, Riverside

vested from a greenhouse. The average

number of thrips present before treatExperiment 1. A study to determine ment was determined from 20 flowers
phytotoxicity of the fumigation trcat- selectedat random. In order to determent during a simulated shipment was mine the effects of the fumigant, sixty
setup. Three treatmentswere used: (1) carnations were wrapped in PolyethylFlowers wrapped in Polyethylene-D, ene-D and placed in a flower box at apboxed,and stored at approximately 1C; proximately 1C. Another sixty carna(2) Flowers without Polyethylene-D tions were wrapped in an ordinary polyboxed, and stored at approximately 1C; ethylene dry-cleaning bag with ln inch
and (3) Flowers wrapped in Polyethyl- holes cut into it to increase air circulaene-D, boxed, and stored at room tem- tion (similar to the Polyethylene-D
bags). Thesewere also boxedand held at
perature (20C).
Each day,for three days,one flower of approximately 1C.
each variety was taken out of the boxes,
Twenty flowers were removed every
examined for phytotoxicity, and placed 24 hours for 3 days from each box and
in vasesfor observation. Eight varieties thrips in eachflower were extractedand
of carnations (Improved New Pink Sim, counted. To count thrips, each flower
Lena, Tango, Chianti, Improved wasremoved from the stemand the calyx
White, Lareve, Lavender Lace, and wasremoved so the petals becamesepaVanessa), three varieties of roses rated. The petals were placed in a spe(Riva, Sonia, and Bridal White) and cially designed thrips-separating can. A
the gypsophila variety Bristol Fairy 5-pound coffee canwas divided by a.wire
meshthat allowed thrips to be separated
were used in the experiment.
from the flower petals. A thrips irritant,
Experiment 2 Thrips-infested Im- iso-butyl ketone forced the thrips off the
proved Red Sim carnations were har- petals in one compartment of the can.

bwer

MATERIALS AND METHODS

8cNursery Report

Summer 1989

mixing inconveniences. Second,the ac- have traditionally caused phytotoxicity

tive ingredient, chlorpyrifos (Dursban), to roses. Lastly, the cut flowers can be
is registered for a variety of pestson a wrappedwith the Polyethylene-D bagsat T
wide range of floricultural crops. Third, the time of boxing, thuseliminating costs _
no phytotoxicity was observed on se- for additional applications and handling.
REsuLm
lected rose varieties. This is significant Note: Polyethylene-D bags presently are. not regisExperiment 1. No phytotoxicity was sinceother formulations of chlorpyrifos tered for use on flower crops.
observed throughout the experiment on
any variety. Vase lives of refrigeratorstored fumigated and unfumigated flowers were identical, averaging 10 daysfor
the carnationsand gypsophila and 6days
for the roses.
Ehpeximent 2 Thrips counts are presentedin Tables 1 and 2.

The thrips then could be collected in the

other compartment, shaken out, and
counted on a white sheet of paper.

Table 1. Mean number of thrips per carnation

flower after 1,2, or 3 days of treatment.

CONTROL OF ALGAE ON
GREENHOUSE
WALKS

Days of
Treatment
Polyethylene-D
Untreated
0 (precount)
-3.05 -1
0.65
1.40
2
1.70
2.80
3
1.45
2.45

Robert D. Raabe and Joseph H. Hurlimunn

Department of PIant Pathology, Univ~
of California, Berkeley

Table 2. Mean number of thrips per carnation

flower over entire experiment.
Treatment
Polyethylene-D
Untreated

Thrips numbers*
1.28 a
2.20 b

DelbtiFamhum
Farm Advisoc Univ~
of Califomiu Cooperative Exttin,
A??dbrcounty

In greenhouses requiring reduced

light
and high moisture for growing cer*Treatments significantly different at the 1% level
tain
types
of plants, algae can be a probusing L.S.D. mean separation.
lem on greenhouse walks, walls and
sometimes on the glass. On walks,
growth canbeso abundant that there is a
danger of slipping. Becauseof this, an
experimentwasdoneon anorchidgreenhouse near Watsonville, CA, where alDISCUSSION
gaewere a problem.
The alga involved, Stic~0c0ccussubPolyethylene-D fumigation during
refrigeration reduced the numbers of &Y (Kutz.) Klerch., was so abundant
thrips present on carnation flowers, by many of the walks were completely covapproximately 50%. Complete control ered. Two concentrations of the quaterof thrips was not achieved under these nary ammonium compound Physan@
conditions possiblydueto the high thrips were applied 3 times at monthly internumbers at the beginning of the experi- vals. Sectionsof walkway 30inchesby 20,
ment. It is conceivable that with lower feet were treated with 2 gallons applied
numbers of thrips, this technique may to runoff using asprinkling can. Concentrations included 15 ml and 30 ml Phyprove more efficacious.
There are several merits of this ap- San@per gallon.
During the experiment, excellentconproach. First, there are no wet sprays
involved or associated calibration and trolwas observedat the 30 ml concentra-

Flower & Numxy Report

tion. There wassomecontrol at the 15ml

concentration, but it was not adequate.
Two months after thelast application, no
algae had grown on the walks treated
with the higher concentration.
Under conditions very favorable for
the growth of algae,control should result
from application of Physan@
once every
two monthsat the concentration of 30ml
(2 tablespoons) per gallon. Longer intervals might be effective and application with a sprayer might reduce the
amount needed to give control.
r
\

Summer 1989

moWa& N-e
is published quarterly
by the Department of Environmental Hotticulture, University of California, Davis. We are
grateful to the San Diego County Flower Association and the Monterey Bay Flower Growers
for their generous financial support, which partially defrayed the cost of publication.
Richard Evans
Editor
L

THE EFFE(TIVENESS
OF HYDROGELS
IN CONTAINER
y PLANT PRODUCTION
IS REDUCED BY FERTILIZER
SALTS
Depament

Rkhani K Evans and Ihiu S&to

of Enti rammtal Horticubq
Univ~
of California, Davis
Daniel c Bowmun
of Pht Science, Univ~

Depa-

Hydrophilic
polymers first became
available to the nursery trade in the early
197Os, and interest in their application to
container plant production has waxed
and waned more than once since then.
These amendments are receiving a lot of
attention once again as suppliers promote the purported advantages of hydrophilic polymer addition: decreased water use, which is particularly attractive
during a drought, and less product loss
from infrequent watering, which is more
important now that large retail chains
are major outlets for nursery products.
Unfortunately,
growers seeking information about the effectiveness of hydrophilic polymers have encounter conflicting information from salesmen and horticulturists alike.
It has been suggested that hydrogels
may be useful as a soil amendment to
improve water-holding capacity because
they can hold up to 1500 times their
weight in water. There have been several
reports by researchers indicating benefits from hydrogels. Additions of gel to a
peat:perlite mix reduced water stress and
increased time to wilt in zinnias. In some
other studies, researchers found that the
frequency and total amount of irrigation
could be reduced by incorporating gels in
the potting mix. However, other reports
have shown little or no benefit from gels
added to potting mixes at recommended
rates, and a recent study of gel effects on
water stress in tall fescue concluded that
gels were not effective unless added at
more than 80 times the recommended
rate.
The absence of benefit from gels in
some of these studies may be due to the
inhibition of gel hydration by salts dissolved in the irrigation water or fertilizers. For example, growth of Ligusmm

of New&,

lucidurn in a gel-amended mix was negatively affected by increased fertilizer

rates. In addition, there have been several reports describing the inhibition of
gel hydration in the presence of salt solutions.
These results show that fertilizer solutions, such as those used in the greenhouse and container nursery industry,
might restrict the potential benefit of
hydrogel as an amendment.
We have
investigated the effects of various fertilizer salts, at concentrations commonly
used in container plant production, on
water absorption
by three polyacrylamide hydrophilic gels. In addition,
we examined the effect of fertilizer salts
and gel amendment on the physical
properties of three typical container
media: a redwood sawdust:sand (2:l by
volume) mix typical of those used in
woody plant nurseries, a redwood
sawdust:peat:sand (1:l:l by volume) mix
Urea concentration
5
10

-v-v-

Rem

typical of a heavy greenhouse potting

mix, and a peat:perlite (2~1 by volume)
mix typical of a light greenhouse potting mix. Finally, we report the effects of
gel addition on the growth and time to
wilt of potted chtysanthemums.
Effect of fertilizer salts on water absorption by gels. Dry gels were allowed
to absorb solutions of several commonly-used fertilizers for 24 hours, after
which the excess solution was removed
and the hydrated gels were weighed to
determine moisture absorbed. Fertilizer
salts substantially reduced absorption by
the gels (Fig. 1). At a concentration of 20
meq l-l, which is typically found in many
commercial fertilizer solutions, the gels
absorbed only 114 or less of the amount
absorbed in deionized water. Absorption in fertilizer solutions containing 20
meq 1-l of either calcium (Ca2+) or magnesium (Mg2+) was reduced to less than
10% of that in deionized water. In con(mM)
15

20
;I

O-OKN03
V-VKH2P04
A -ANH4N03
A- A(NH&=4
-OCO(NO3)2
O--OCa(H2PO4)2
=WdNO&

q-gs04

V-VUrea
0

5
10
Solt concentration

15
20
(meq I-)

Fig. 1. Effect of fertilizers on hydration of a hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel. The upper group of curves
shows the response to monovalent cations and the upper group shows the response to divalent cations.

hnver

& Nursery Report

Summer 1989

Hoogland

Solution

Strength

Table 1. Physical properties of gel-amended redwood sawdusnsand (21) medium,

irrigated with deionized water or a fertilizer solution.
A-AGd
B
o-OGOI c

Treatment

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

Control
- Fertilizer
+ Fertilizer
lxGel(2 lb/cu yd)
- Fertilizer
+ Fertilizer
2xGel(4 Ib/cu yd)
- Fertilizer
+ Fertilizer

2.0

Total
Porosityz
(vol %)

Air-tilled
Porosity
(-Jo1%6)

Container Hz0 Content

at 100 cm
~PaW
(vol I)
(vol %)

74.6 d
74.4 c

21.1 a
19.8 a

53.5 cd
54.6 c

19.1 a
18.9 a

.60 a
.61 a

77.4 b
74.3 c

17.6 b
21.5 a

59.8 b
52.8 d

37.3 d
21.9 a

.54 b
.61 a

78.5 a
75.0 c

16.8 b
20.6 a

61.7 a
54.5 cd

29.7 c
26.4 b

.51 c
.59 a

Bulk
Density
(g cme3)

xData are means of three replications.

YMeans followed by the same letter within a column are not significantly different, 0.05

ECsolution
(dS m-1
Fig. 2. Effect of a complete Hoaglands nutrient
solution on gel hydration.

trast, the uncharged solute, urea, did not

reduce absorption at any concentration
tested. When gels were allowed to absorb a complete
nutrient solution
(Hoaglands solution), the reduction in
absorption was almost identical to that
in the presence in Ca2+ or Mg2+ at similar
concentrations (Fig. 2).
To determine whether the water absorption of salt-inhibited gels could be
restored by clear irrigation, we examined
500
400
T

300

CaPJQ2

'; WI 200

the permanence of the salt effect on gel

hydration. When gels which had been
hydrated in 20 meq I- KNO, were rinsed
repeatedly in deionized water, absorptionafter the third rinsewas greater than
the maximum following hydration in
deionized water (Fig. 3). However, absorption by gels which had been hydrated
in Ca(NOJ, could be restored to only
28% of full absorption capacity, even
after four rinses.
EZffectoffertilizersaltsandgelamendment on the physical properties of a
redwood sawdustsand potting mix. A
container mix typical of those used in the
woody nursery industry was prepared
from redwood sawdust and sand mixed in
a ratio of 2:l. The mixwas divided in two,
with half amended with dolomite, super-

phosphate, potassium nitrate, and Micromax. The other half received no

chemical amendments.
A hydrophilic
gel was mixed into both the amended and
unamended mixes at rates of 0,2 (manufacturers recommended rate), and 4 lbs
per cubic yard. Columns 13 cm deep
(between the height of a 6 pot and a
gallon container) were filled with each of
the mixes. The chemically-amended mix 9
was irrigated with a fertilizer solution
and the unamended mix was irrigated
with deionized water, after which the
physical properties of the mixes were
determined by standard methods. Addition of gel altered the physical properties
of the mix that received no fertilizers
(Table 1). Total porosity and container
capacity increased slightly, and air-filled

o, 100
E

Table 2. Effect of gel amendment on the physical properties of U.C. mix and
peatperlite.

0
500

5
'Z
pi? 400
s

Treatment

Total
Porosity
(vol %)

300

Air-filled
Porosity
(vol %)

Container
Capacity
(~01%)

Bulk
Density
(g cmS3)

Available
water
(vol a)

65.9
68.3
66.5

0.50
0.45
0.46

53.0
54.9
54.4

63.6
66.3
71.5

0.14
0.13
0.13

53.0
55.4
54.9

UC Mix
Ib/cu yd
0
2
4

200
100

78.6
80.5
81.0

12.7
12.2
14.5
Peat:Perlite

2nd

Rime.

3rd
Rim

4th
Rinm

Fig. 3. Reversal of salt-inhibition of gel hydration

by sequential deionized water rinses Gels were
initially hydrated in 20 meq l-t Ca(NOd2 (upper
graph) or KNO, (lower graph).

lb/cu yd
0
2
4

Flower & Nursery Report

92.9
93.3
93.5

29.3
27.0
22.0

Summer 1989

-,

Table 3. Effect of hydrophilic gel amendment on

days to wilting of chtysanthemum kept in a greenhouse or in simulated supermarket conditions.
Plants were irrigated to container capacity with
Hoaglands solution, then water was withheld until
shoot tips wilted.
Rate
(lb/cu yd)

UC Mix

Peat-Perlite

Greenhouse
0
2
4

1.12
1.15
1.18

2.95

2
4

3.00
3.01

1.13
1.13
1.16

2.96
2.98
3.05

Means within a treatment group (greenhouse or

supermarket) were not significantly different
(P=O.O5).

porosity decreased slightly with gel additions. When fertilizers were present,
however, gels did not affect total or airfilled porosities. The amount of water
held at 100 cm tension increased substantiallywithgeladditionin
theabsence
of fertilizers. In contrast, there was little
or no increase in the presence of fertilizers.
Effect of gel addition on the physical
properties of two greenhouse potting
mixes. Two greenhouse potting mixes
were prepared, one a U.C. mix containing sphagnum peat, redwood sawdust,
and sand in equal volumes, and the other
containing sphagnum peat and perlite
mixed in a ration of 2:l. Both received
standard chemical amendments (dolomite,
calcium
carbonate,
superphosphate, potassium
nitrate,
and
MicromaP)
and 0, 2 (manufacturers
recommended rate), or 4 lbs per cubic
yard of a hydrophilic gel. The mixes were
wetted with a fertilizer solution to allow
the gels to hydrate, then columns 12 cm
deep (typical of the height of a mix in a 6
pot) were filled with each of the mixes
and the physical properties were determined. The physical properties of the
U.C. mix were not significantly affected
by gel addition, whereas gel addition to
the peat:perlite mix increased the container capacity and decreased the airfilled porosity (Table 2).

Effect of gel addition on available

water and on time to wilt and yield of
chrysanthemum.
Rooted cuttings of
Bright Golden Anne chrysanthemum
were planted, three cuttings per pot, in 6
pots containing either U.C. mix or
peat:perlite and 0, 2, or 4 lbs per cubic
yard of a hydrophilic gel. The plants were
wateredasneededwithacompletenutrient solution and grown under vegetative
conditions, without growth regulator
treatment, for 6 weeks. At the end of the
sixth week, a tensiometer was placed in
each container. The pots were irrigated
to container capacity, then irrigation was
withheld until the shoot tips began to
wilt. The pots were then leached repeatedly with deionized water, moved to a
room which simulated supermarket
conditions, and allowed to wilt again.
Soil moisture tension and water loss
from the mixes was measured until wilt
occurred. Gel addition did not affect the
amount of available water in either mix
(Table 2) and did not modify the moisture release of the mixes (Fig. 4). Similarly, the time to wilt in the greenhouse
or the keeping room was unaffected by
gel addition (Table 3), and the crop yield
was similar in each treatment (Table 4).
Conclusions. The results presented
here indicate that fertilizer salts dramatically reduce absorption by hydrophilic
polyacrylamide gels. Divalent cations
(Ca*+ and Mg*+) dominate the effect of
fertilizers on gel hydration. These ions
may lock the polymer in place, restricting expansion (and thus water absorption). Clearwatering does not overcome
the inhibition of absorption caused by
fertilizers containing calcium or magnesium.

0.6

,g
-z

0.3

jz

0.2

0.1

.
*A

q
. .b
0

0
t

Peat:perlite

q
0

0.0

2
aI
T

0.7

0.6

kl
Ii 0.5
3

I
/

Oel mta
Ofa m-3,
0
1.2
2.4

0..
.v.
IO.
-9.

0.4

q. a.

0.3 -

5.

0.2 o.,

0.0 1
0

.*p

a ;

:.

U.C. mix

10

Tension

15

20

25

(kPa)

Fig. 4. Effect of gel amendment on the moisture

release of U.C. mix and pcatperlite.

UC Mix

Peat-Perlite

In the absence of fertilizer salts, gel

addition altered the physical properties
of the redwood sawdust:sand mix. In that
mix there was a higher moisture content
at 100 cm soil moisture tension when gel
was present, indicating that a substantial
amount of gel-absorbed water is retained
while the bulk of the potting mix dries.
However, this increase in moisture content occurred only in the absence of fertilizer salts. Since commercial greenhouse and nursery production depends
on high fertility, it is unlikely that gel
additions would improve the moisture
holding capacity, yield, or time to wilt
under most nursery conditions.

317

2
4

306
297

315
314
292

Acknowledgement.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the skillful technical assistance of Kendra West.

Table 4. Effect of hydrophilic gel amendment on fresh weight (g) of chrysyanthemum.

Rate
(lb/cu yd)

Means were not significantly

(P=O.O5).

Flower & Nursery Report

different

Summer 1989

Dr. Fkhard Evans, editor

Environmental Horticulture Extension
University of California, Dais

Cooperative Extension
U.S. Department of Agricutture
University of Caliimia
Berkeley, CA 94720
Penally for Private use: $300 I

Mail ID: 9396

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