46
For the puposes of the trial, the top area of the container
was the only critical container attribute for this study,
with the average diameter of each container (two
perpendicular measurements) being taken into account
for CF calculations.
Plant height was calculated as the distance from the
substrate surface to the top of the canopy, while plant width
was set as the average of two perpendicular measurements
of the plant canopy, with one of them being the widest.
The plant size index was calico-lated as the average of
plant height and plant width.
Irrigation capture measurements entailed placing each
container in a similar-sized pail to collect any leachate
during testing, with aluminum foil used to form a barrier
between the container and drainage collection pail to
prevent irrigation water from directly entering the drainage
collection pail.
)or eDch SODnt sSecies Dnd contDiner size Sre Zeighed
container-pail assemblies were placed on 61-cm centers
in an equidistant, offset pattern (See Figure One).
&ontDiners Zere irrigDted Ior Pin DSSOying cP oI
water.
After irrigation, each container-pail assembly was weighed
and the difference in weight before and after irrigation was
Xsed to cDOcXODte ZDter Xse bDsed on the sSecific grDYity
of water according to grams per cubic centimeter (g‡cm ).
The irrigation capture test was conducted three times for
each plant species-container size resulting in a total of
21 measurements per plant species and container size.
The amount of water captured without a plant, was
determined by placing empty
pails in the same spacing pattern as plant irrigation capture
tests and collecting irrigation water during three thirty
minute irrigation runs.
The experiment was analyzed as a randomized complete
bOocN design Zith bOocNs (locations in test area), 11
plant species, and three options used for separating CF
PeDns Dt the DcceStDbOe confidence OeYeO
Test Two: 3lant si]e and container spacing
In order to evaluate the effect of plant size and container
spacing on CF, three plant species from test one were
selected, according to a criteria that exhibited different
growth habits and water-capturing abilities.
The overall findings of these tests
were that grouping plants with
similar irrigation requirements
within container nurseries can
readily be adopted as a best
management practice
Impact sprinkler
Wobbler sprinkler