Hidden Heat: Managing Root Zone Temperatures for Healthier Nursery Crops

High root zone temperatures are a hidden problem in many container production systems—one that often goes unnoticed until growth or quality suffers. This session explores how excessive substrate temperatures impact root function, plant performance, and profitability. Learn practical strategies to reduce root zone heat stress through container selection, spacing, irrigation management, and shading. We’ll also discuss research findings that show how lowering substrate temperatures during the summer can improve growth, enhance fertilizer efficiency, and even reduce production costs.