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Home → Publications → National Nursery Proceedings → 2012 → Importance of Water Quality in Container Plant Production

Importance of Water Quality in Container Plant Production

High substrate pH is a major problem for producers of container-grown plants and seedlings. The primary cause of high substrate pH is irrigation water with high alkalinity. Alkalinity is defined as the capacity of water to neutralize acids. Some alkalinity in irrigation water is beneficial as it serves as a buffer to large swings in pH levels, but high alkalinity in the water often leads to micronutrient deficiencies. Alkalinity of irrigation water should be monitored for changes on a regular basis. Be sure to check with the laboratory being used to determine if they test for alkalinity, carbonates and bicarbonates, or water hardness. Guidelines and suggestions for dealing with alkalinity in irrigation waters are given.


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Author(s): John M. Ruter

Event: Joint Meeting of the Southern Forest Nursery Association and Northeastern Forest and Conservation Nursery Association
2012 - Chattanooga, Tennessee