Abstract

Container nursery bed runoff, reservoirs or ponds that contained runoff, wells, and surface water discharged from the property or at the property border were sampled at approximately 6-week intervals during April–October 1990 in Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. Runoff from container beds averaged 8 and 20 ppm NO₃-N, respectively, for nurseries using controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) and controlled-release fertilizers supplemented with solution fertilizers (CRFSS). Average NO₃-N levels for runoff collection ponds, property borders, and wells were each less than 10 ppm, the drinking water limit, regardless of fertilizers used. However, ppm NO₃-N for some samples exceeded the drinking water standard. In general, these data indicate reason for concern and nursery operators need to implement best management practices.