Comparing Attributes of Eastern Redcedar ( Juniperus Virginiana L.) Mulch to Other Commonly Used Wood Mulches
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COMPARING ATTRIBUTES OF EASTERN REDCEDAR ( JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA L.) MULCH TO OTHER COMMONLY USED WOOD MULCHES By ADAM MAGGARD Master of Science in Management University of Florida Gainesville, Florida 2008 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE July, 2011 COMPARING ATTRIBUTES OF EASTERN REDCEDAR ( JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA L.) MULCH TO OTHER COMMONLY USED WOOD MULCHES Thesis Approved: Rodney E. Will Thesis Adviser Thomas C. Hennessey Janet C. Cole Dr. Mark E. Payton Dean of the Graduate College . ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................1 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE....................................................................................5 Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L. ) .............................................................5 Market for redcedar mulch .......................................................................................7 Organic mulch ..........................................................................................................8 Effects of mulch on soil ...........................................................................................8 Effects of mulch on weed suppression ...................................................................11 Effects of mulch on growth of plants and trees .....................................................12 Effects of mulch on insect repellency ....................................................................14 Decomposition of mulch ........................................................................................16 III. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................27 Study sites ..............................................................................................................27 Treatments..............................................................................................................28 Measurements and experimental design ................................................................30 Weed seed germination study ................................................................................33 Leachate germination study ...................................................................................35 Mulch appearance survey………………………………………………………..36 Termite study…………………………………………………………………….37 iii Chapter Page IV. RESULTS...............................................................................................................38 Soil moisture ..........................................................................................................38 2009 plantings ..................................................................................................38 2010 plantings ..................................................................................................40 Soil temperature .....................................................................................................40 Soil nutrients ..........................................................................................................41 2009 plantings ..................................................................................................41 2010 plantings ..................................................................................................42 Weed growth ..........................................................................................................42 Plant growth ...........................................................................................................43 Growth of annuals ........................................................................................... 43 Growth of perennials ....................................................................................... 43 Redbud height and diameter growth-2009 plantings .......................................44 Shumard oak height and diameter growth-2009 plantings ..............................45 Redbud height and diameter growth-2010 plantings ...................................... 45 Shumard oak height and diameter growth-2010 plantings ............................. 45 Mulch decomposition ........................................................................................... 46 Mulch appearance survey ..................................................................................... 46 Mulch appearance rankings ............................................................................ 46 Percent use ...................................................................................................... 46 Most attractive ................................................................................................ 47 Weed seed germination study ................................................................................47 Leachate germination study ...................................................................................48 Termite study .........................................................................................................48 V. DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................76 Effects of mulch on soil properties ........................................................................76 Mulch effect on weed growth and plant growth ....................................................79 Decomposition of mulch ........................................................................................81 Weed seed germination study & leachate germination study ................................82 Termite study .........................................................................................................83 Conclusion .............................................................................................................84 LITERATURE CITED ................................................................................................86 iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1 Volumetric soil moisture content (%) for year 1, 2009 planting (A) and volumetric soil moisture content (%) for year 2, 2009 planting (B) measured between 0-15 cm. CNH = control no herbicide, CWH = control with herbicide, CYP = cypress mulch, HW = hardwood mulch, PINE = pine mulch, PN = pine bark nugget mulch, RC = redcedar mulch (n=9).........................................................................................................................49 2 Volumetric soil moisture content (%), for 2010 planting measured Between 0-15 cm. CNH = control no herbicide, CWH = control with herbicide, CYP = cypress mulch, HW = hardwood mulch, PINE = pine mulch, PN = pine bark nugget mulch, RC = redcedar mulch (n=5) ...............................................................................................50 3 Soil temperature results measured for one week (21-29 July 2009). Mean is average of hourly measurement during this period. Average maximum and average minimum are the average daily extremes during this period. CNH = control no herbicide, CWH = control with herbicide, CYP = cypress mulch, HW = hardwood mulch, PINE = pine mulch, PN = pine bark nugget mulch, RC = redcedar mulch. (n=9) ..............................................................................................51 v 4 Soil pH (A) and soil nitrate concentration (B) for the 2009 plantings. Soil measurements before mulch application at the beginning of the first growing season, at the end of the first growing season, and at the end of the second growing season. CNH = control no herbicide,CWH = control with herbicide, CYP = cypress mulch, HW = hardwood mulch, PINE = pine mulch, PN = pine bark nugget mulch, RC = redcedar mulch (n=9). .............................................................................................................52 5 Soil phosphourus concentration (A) and soil potassium concentration (B) for the 2009 plantings. Soil measurements before mulch application at the beginning of the first growing season, at the end of the first growing season, and at the end of the second growing season. CNH = control no herbicide, CWH = control with herbicide, CYP = cypress mulch, HW = hardwood mulch, PINE = pine mulch, PN = pine bark nugget mulch, RC = redcedar mulch (n=9)..........................................................................................................................53 vi 6 Soil pH (A) and soil nitrate concentration (B) for the 2010 plantings. Soil Measurements at the beginning of the growing season before mulch application and at the end of the growing season. CNH = control no herbicide, CWH = control with herbicide, CYP = cypress mulch, EUC = eucalyptus mulch, HW = hardwood mulch, PINE = pine mulch, PN = pine bark nugget mulch, RC = redcedar mulch, RED = red-dyed mulch (n=5). .............................................................................................................54 7 Soil phosphourus concentration (A) and soil potassium concentration (B) for the 2010 plantings. Soil measurements at the beginning of the growing season before mulch application and at the end of the year. CNH = control no herbicide, CWH = control with herbicide, CYP = cypress mulch, EUC = eucalyptus mulch, HW = hardwood mulch, PINE = pine mulch, PN = pine bark nugget mulch, RC = redcedar mulch, RED = red-dyed mulch (n=5). .............................................................................................................55