Researchers in OSU's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture also are looking at reducing the amount of plant nutrients lost in container plant nurseries and greenhouses following drip and sprinkler irrigation. Data to date shows that good management of these practices can indeed reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous lost into the environment. Working at the Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum site west of Stillwater, the researchers collected samples of water coming out of the pots following each irrigation and analyzed them. They estimated the total amount of runoff and monitored the nutrient losses. The drip system outperformed the overhead sprinkler system in reducing the amount of nutrient losses.
The ultimate goal of this work is to reduce plant nutrient contamination
coming from commercial nursery and greenhouse businesses and entering
the environment. In addition, it will help prevent the waste of
inputs and increase profitability for growers.