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Thursday, June 12, 2025

Layered Substrates for Nursery Production: Growing Smarter with Water Savings

Kris Criscione

Time and Session Location

2:00 PM-3:00 PM

Willow A

CEUs Available (Pending Approval)

Cost:

What You Will Learn:

There are several benefits of stratified substrates that have been observed. Firstly, stratifying substrates have been shown to reduce irrigation and fertilizer applications by 25% and 20%, respectively. Secondly, stratified substrates have improve moisture and gas exchange dynamics in the container. Thirdly, in most stratified substrate research, significant improvements of root development are measured. Lastly, stratified substrates can help reduce peat use and reliance by extending peat reserves and decrease applications by upwards of 50%.

More About the Presenter (s):

Kristopher Criscione is the Nursery Production Specialist at Virginia Tech. He studied soilless substrates, irrigation and fertilizer, and root development throughout his Masters and PhD at Louisiana State University. His disciplines are primarily in rootzone management, exploring the container system in a holistic perspective. His lab direction focuses on the challenges the nursery industry currently and will continue to face in our constantly changing climate/industry.

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