CONIFERS: A Container Nursery Fertilization Program. Cooperative extension Service DS..21 College of Agriculture and Home Economics

Transcription

1 CONIFERS: A Cntainer Nursery Fertilizatin Prgram ) Cperative extensin Service DS..21 Cllege f Agriculture and Hme Ecnmics

2 CONTENTS Intrductin... 1 Equipment Required t Run Cnifers... 1 Keying Cnventins Used in This Manual... 1 Infrmatin Required t Run Cnifers... 1 Hw T Run Cnifers... :... 3 User Inputs... 3 Starting Cnifers... 3 Running a CONIFERS Calculatin... 3 Screen Screen Screen Screen 4a...4 Screen 4b...4 Screen Fr Users with Traveling Bm Irrigatin SysteIIlS... 4 Technical Supprt...4 Literature Cited... 5 Appendix A... 6 Example 1. A typical example fr a fixed irrigatin system with utput measured in milligrams per seedling...;... 6 Example 2.A typical example fr a fixed irrigatin system with utput measured in milliliters per seedling... 8 Example 3.A typical example fr a traveling bm irrigatin system with utput measured in milligrams per seedling..., Example 4. A Typical example fr a traveling bm irrigatin system with utput measured in milliliters per seedling... 12

3 CONIFERS A Cntainer Nursery Fertilizatin Prgram Patrick Glass and Jhn T. Harringtn New Mexic State University Mra Research Center INTRODUCTION The CONIFERS prgram is designed t imprve the efficiency ffertilizatin prgrams incntainer nurseries. It was initially designed t serve the cntainer nurseries invlved with the prductin frefrestatin, reclamatin, and cnservatin planting stck. Hwever, CONIFERS als can be applied t ther cntainer prductin prgrams in the hrticulture industry. CONIFERS prvides a quick and accurate way t calculate fertilizer slutins in nurseries. The prgram has been written such that almst any nursery emplyee can determine hw t mix fertilizer slutins accurately with little training. The CONIFERS prgram ges ne step further by prviding a rapid means f calculating the duratin ffertilizer applicatin t achieve target levels based n the delivery system. This feature fconifers will assist nursery managers in reducing fertilizer runff and csts by reducing ver- and under-fertilizatin. The prgram is designed fr grwers wh fertilize thrugh their verhead irrigatin systems. The prgram is designed t wrk with bth traveling bm and fixed irrigatin systems. Using the applicatin time prtin f the prgram, nursery managers als. can calculate duratins f irrigatin cycles based n delivery system parameters. CONIFERS is designed t be used with cmmercially available, premixed, water-sluble fertilizers. There-. fre, it cannt adjust the rati fprimary nutrients in the fertilizer. It is designed fr the user t set a nitrgen level; the prgram will calculate the rates fphsphrus and ptassium applied as well. Theunits were selected based n cnventinal equipment (i.e. flw meters in gallns perminute and weights in milligrams, grams, and punds). EQUIPMENT REQUIRED TO RUN CONIFERS 1. ffim -cmpatible cmputer with either a 3.5" r 5 114"drive. 2. DOS 2.1 r greater. 3. The CONIFERS prgram. KEYING CONVENTIONS USED IN.HIS MANUAL 1. Thrughut the text prtin f the manual, any keystrkes required fr input are dented encased n either side by < > symbls. 2. Thrughut the examples included in the appendices entries n the screen displays are depicted in bld case fllwed by an <Enter>. INFORMATION REQUIRED TO RUN CONIFERS 1. The target cncentratin fnitrgen t be applied in parts per millin (ppm). 2. Rati fnitrgen (N), phsphrus (P), and ptassium (K) in the water-sluble fertilizer. This can be btained frm the label n the fertilizer bag (i.e r ). This is all the infrmatin required t run the fertilizer calculatin prtin f this prgram.

4 3. The target amunt f fertilizer slutin (in milliliters) r nitrgen (in milligrams) t be applied t each cntainer. Ifyu are unsure abut hw t calculate hw much fertilizer slutin is needed t apply,. Landis et al. (1990) prvides a quick way t determine the water- hlding prsity fa cntainer. This calculatin ges as fllws: A. Determine ttal cntainer vlume. This can be dne by plugging the bttm f a cntainer and filling it with water. Then pur the water int a graduated cylinder and measure its vlume. B. Determine ttal pre vlume. This is dne by plugging the drain hles f the cntainer and filling tbe cntainer with media. Then add a measured amunt f water.t the cntainer until the media is cmpletely saturated with water at the surface. The measured amunt f water added is the ttal pre vlume. C. Determine the aeratin pre vlume. This is dne by remving the plugs at the bttm f the cntainer and cllecting the water that drains ut. The vlume f this drainage water is the aeratin pre vlume. D. Calculate the water-hlding pre vlume. This is dne by subtracting the aeratin pre vlume frm the ttal pre vlume. The amunt f fertilizer yu want t apply shuld be equal t the water-blding pre vlume. This will prevent under-fertilizing and reduce ver-fertilizatin and nutrient runff. * Nte: This is the maximum water blding capacity f yur cntainer/media cmbinatin. As yur crp grws this vlume becmes less due t cmpactin and rts ccupying pre space. 5. The flw rate f the system in gallns/minute. 6. Irrigatin system efficiency. N verbead irrigatin system is 100% efficient. Sme irrigatin water is usually applied directly t walkways and wall surfaces. This step requires the user t estimate what percentage f irrigatin water des nt fall n the nursery bench. There are techniques available t determine this; hwever, these techniques require detailed explanatins and measurements and we will nt cver them bere. 7. Determine cntainer system efficiency. There is an inherent irrigatin inefficiency in mst cntainer grwing systems. This inefficiency invlves the gaps r vidshf surface areas bfetwee~ cntainther.penings 0,,' due t t e arrangement 0 cntamers r elr supprt structures. (Landis et. al. 1989). A simple set f calculatins can be used t determine cntainer system efficiency. A. Calculate the cntainer pening f ne cn tainer. Mst cntainer penings are either rund r rectangular. Area f a circle = X radius 2 Area f a rectangle = side 1 length side X side 2 length B. Calculate the number f cntainers per tray r flat. C. Calculate the ttal surface area f a tray. D. Calculate the ttal area f cntainer pening per tray. (Line A X Line B). E. Calculate cntainer system efficiency. LineD --- X 100 LineC Fr example, say yu are using I-galln pts with a 6" diameter pening. There are n trays s we will estimate using a 1-square-ft area. A. Open area f ne cntainer = X 3.00 in 2 =28.27 in 2 B. Cntainers per square ft =4 C. Ttal surface area f 1 ft2 =12" X 12" =144 in2 D. Ttal pen area =28.27 in 2 X 4 = in 2 E. Cntainer system efficiency = = 78.5% 8. Fr fixed irrigatin systems the fllwing infrmatin is necessary: 2

5 A. The surface area square feet fne bench. Screen 1 B. the number f benches being irrigated/fertilized The first screen yu will see after starting CONIFERS is A...:... simultaneusly. an intrductin screen. Press the <Enter> key t cntinue the prgram. Press the <Esc> t exit the prgram. " 9. Fr traveling bm irrigatin systems the fllwing infnnatin is necessary: Screen 2 All A. Width f seedling bed (bench width) infeet. This value will need t represent bth bench widths being cvered by a single irrigatin bm if there is an aisle between them; B. Length the bm travels infeet. C. Bm speed in feet/minute. 10. The injectr r siphn rati. User Inputs HOW TO RUN CONIFERS user inputs int CONIFERS are either alphabetic (withut case sensitivity) r numeric as an integer. There are n decimal inputs r percent sign inputs. The minimum cncentratin in parts per millin (ppm) is ne (1). Any crrectins t an input c.anbe made ~y using the <Backspace> key befre pressing the <Enter> key. Starting CNIFERS Place the CONIFERS prgram disk in an apprpriate drive. Type the drive designatin fllwed by a cln (:) (e.g., a: r b:) and press <Enter>. T start CONIFERS, simply type <CONIFERS> at the DOS prmpt and press the <Enter> key. Running a CONIFERS Calculatin CONIFERS is a prmpt-driven prgram. All yu need t d is enter an apprpriate respnse at the end f each questin (r prmpt) and press the <Enter> key. Answer all the questins n a screen. When yu press the <Enter> key fr the last questin, the prgram will advance t the next screen. At any time during the prgram, the user can abrt the prgram either by pressing the <Cntrl><Break> keys simultaneusly r the <Cntrl><c> keys simultaneusly. The secnd screen asks the user t input target fertilizer prperties. After answering a questin, press <Enter>, and anther questin will appear. The first questin asks the user t set the nitrgen level in ppm. The secnd questin asks the user t set the percentage f nitrgen in the fertilizer. The third questin asks the user t set the percentage f phsphrus in the fertilizer. The furth questin asks the user t set the percentage f ptassium in the fertilizer. The fifth and fmal questin asks the user t input the injectr rati r siphn rate. Here yu need t enter the number f parts f water in which 1 part f fertilizer is added. Ifyur injectr is set at 1:100, yu need t enter <100>, as this represents the amunt f water t which 1 unit f fertilizer is added. If yu are nt using an injectr, simply set the injectin rati t "1" and this will give yu the applied slutin frmulatin. After entering yur injectr rati, press the <Enter> key. The cmputer will generate the amunt ffertilizer needed t frmulate yur cncentrated stck slutin. The cmputer prvides these amunts in grams per liter f water, grams per galln f water, and punds per galln f water. This screen als prvides infnnatin n the cncentratin fp 0 ' P, Kz0, and K in yur applied slutin. 2 s The CONIFERS prgram was written fr cmmercial fertilizers with P P5 being the nly surce fphsphrus (P) and K 2 0 as the nly surce fptassium. Yu can print a hard cpy f this prescriptin if yu s desire. Nw that the amunt f cmmercial fertilizer t be mixed with water has been determined fr the stck slutin, yu may want t calculate hw lng t run yur fertilizer system t achieve the ptimum usage f yur fertilizer. The remaining steps fconifers will d this fr yu. Ifyu d nt wish t d this, yu can exit CONIFERS at this pint by pressing the <3> key. If yu wish t cntinue, prceed with the applicatin time prgram f CONIFERS by pressing the <2> key. If yu wish t have CONIFERS calculate anther frmulatin, press the <1> key. 3

6 If yu entered <2> (t use the applicatin time prgram), the fllwing set f screens will appear and require yu t input additinal infrmatin. Screen 3 This screen will ask yu t enter the type firrigatin system yu are using, either a traveling bm r fixed irrigatin system. Screen 4a If yu selected a fixed-spray irrigatin system, answer each questin that apears n the screen. After typing each answer, press the <Enter> key. The first questin asks hw yu want t determine hw much nitrgen t apply t each cntainer. Yu can select milligrams per seedling by pressing the <G> key r select milliliters by pressing the <L> key. Depending n hw yu answered the first questin, the secnd questin will ask yu t enter the amunt f nitrgen yu want applied t each seedling in milligrams r the amunt f applied slutin in milliliters. The third questin asks fr the flw rate f yur irrigatin system. Remember that n sme systems the flw rate will change by the number f active emitters. Make sure yu enter the apprpriate flw rate fr the number f emitters yu are using. The furth questin asks fr the number f square feet in ne bench. The fifth questin asks fr the number f benches t be fertilized simultaneusly. Questins 4 and 5 are used t calculate the ttal bench areat befertilized. Ifyu have this value, enter itfr the furth questin, then enter <1> n the fifth questin. The sixth questin asks fr yur irrigatin system efficiency. This is the percent f yur irrigatin which des nt land n a bench. Screen 4b If yu selected a traveling bm irrigatin system, answer each questin that appears n the screen. After selecting each answer, press the <Enter> key. The first questin asks hw yu want t determine hw much nitrgen t apply t each cntainer. Yu can select milligrams per seedling by pressing the <G> key r milliliters by pressing the <L> key. Depending n hw yu answered the first questin, the secnd questin will ask yu t enter the amunt f nitrgen yu want applied t each seedling in milligrams r the amunt f applied slutin in milliliters. The third questin asks fr the flw rate f yur irrigatin system. Remember that n sme systems the flw rate will change by the number f active emitters. Make sure yu enter the apprpriate flw rate fr the number f emitters yu are using. The furth questin asks fr the width (in feet) f a seedling bed (bench). If yu have a traveling bm which has an aisle between tw beds, enter the cmbined width fthe tw beds.. The fifth questins ask fr the length (in feet) the bm travels in ne directin. The sixth questin asks fr the bm speed in feet per minute. The seventh questin asks fr yur irrigatin system efficiency. This is the percent f yur irrigatin which des nt land n a bench. ScreenS The fifth screen asks yu t enter yur cntainer system efficiency. It prvides a brief descriptin f cntainer system inefficiency and a simple example. with 6" diameter pts. After entering the cntainer system efficiency value and pressing the <Enter> key, CONIFERS will calculate either the amunt ftime required t achieve yur target fertilizer rate fr a fixed verhead irrigatin system r hw much fertilizer is applied in ne pass fa traveling bm irrigatin system. Remember that CONIFERS cnsiders ne pass in ne directin as a single pass. Ifyu have a traveling bm irrigatin system which irrigates in bth directins yu will need t duble this value if yu fertilize ging in bth directins. Fr Users with Traveling Bm Irrigatin Systems There are many traveling bm irrigatin systems available tday. T achi~ve target fertilizatin levels yu may need t adjust sme cmpnents f yur system. CNIFERS autmatically cmputes adjustments ifthe actual applicatin rates differ frm the target rates. The adjustments are cmputed by varying the flw rate, bm travel speed, r bth. Other relatively simple adjustments may include changing fertilizer cncentratins in the applied slutin, r changing the injectin rati. By running CONIFERS several times and adjusting these attributes, yu can determine what will wrk best fr yu.. TECHNICAL SUPPORT Fr prgram technical supprt in English cntact the New Mexic State University, Mra Research Center, Tel. (505) ; FAX (505) Fr prgram supprt inspanish, please send a facsimile stating 4

7 yur name, the prblem, and yur FAX number and we will d ur best t slve the prblem. I t LITERATURE CITED Landis, T.D.; Tinus, R.W.; McDnald, S.E.; Barnett, J.P Cntainers and Grwing Media,. Vl. 2. The Cntainer Tree Nursery Manual. Agric. Handbk Washingtn. DC. U.S. Department fagriculture. Frest Service. 119 p. I t 1 I

8 APPENDIX A Example 1. A typical example fr a fixed irrigatin system with utput measured in milligrams per seedling. At the DOS prmpt type <CONIFERS> and press <Enter>. Screen 1. This prgram was develped t assist with the cmputatin f bulk fertilizer applicatins fr injectr fed systems fr either fixed r traveling bm peratins. Press <Enter> t cntinue? <Enter> Nw enter the target level f nitrgen, fertilizer percentages, and injectr rati. Questins will appear ne at a time. Fllwing the questin regarding yur injectr rati, CONIFERS will prvide the apprpriate calculatins fr the stck slutin. After afew mments, yur stck slutin mixing levels will appear. Screen 2. What is the desired cncentratin l~vel f Nitrgen (N) in ppm fr the applied slutin? 150 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Nitrgen (N) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Phsphrus xide (P 2 0 S ) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental ptassium (K 2 0) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the injectr rati r siphn rate1:###? 100 <Enter> Mix grams f fertilizer per liter, grams f fertilizer per galln, r 0.63 punds f fertilize,r per galln in the stck slutin f Nitrgen (N) t btain 150 ppm in the applied slutin. There is 150 ppm f P 2 0 S and 65 ppm f P applied. There is 150 ppm f K 2 0 and 125 ppm f K applied. Wuld yu like a printed cpy f this setup yin? D yu want t 1) Calculate a different scenari, 2) prceed with applicatin time calculatins r 3) End this sessin 1/2/3?

9 Nw that the amunt f cmmercial fertilizer t be mixed with water has been determined fr the stck slutin, input the required infrmatin abut yur irrigatin system s CONIFBRS can calculate applicatin times. Answer the fllwing questins as they appear n the screen. Questins will appear ne at a time. Mter entering a respnse and pressing the <Enter> key, the next questin will appear. Screen 3. ~ ~ I Is the applicatin system a fixed spray r a traveling bm enter an F r a T? F <Enter> I Is the Nitrgen (N) applicatin figured in milligrams/seedling r in milliliters/ seedling enter a G r an L? G <Enter> Hw many milligrams f Nitrgen (N) are applied t each seedling? 3 <Enter> What is the flw rate fr the system in gallns/minute? 15 <Enter> What is the applicatin area in square, feet fl;' ne bench? 128 <Enter> Hw many benches are being fertilized simultaneusly? 7 <Enter> Enter a number frm 0 t 100 that indicates the percent f verspray that des nt falln the seedling bed? 10 <Enter> Nw enter the cntainer system efficiency. Screen 4. () There is an inherent inefficiency in mst cntainerized prductin peratins.- This inefficiency is due.t the arrangement f cntainers within their supprt structures. The fllwing example}s f a cnunn cntainer and expresses its efficiency in a rati f cntainer pening surface area t ttal surface area. Number f Cntainer Cntainers/ Surface Area/ cntainer Diameter Square Ft Square Ft Efficiency 1 galln 6.00 in sq. in.' 79 % What is the efficiency f the cntainer system being utilized? 79 <Enter> Hw many seedlings exist per square' ft? 4 <Enter> In afew mments CONIFERS will calculate the amunt f time t achieve the applicatin f 3 milligrams.f nitrgen. per seedling. Screen 5. These applicatin rates are n a per seedling basis. Time required t apply 3 milligrams' f Nitrgen (N) is 1.78 minutes.. I grams r 0.17 punds f fertilizer and 0.27 gallns are required fr the stck slutin. Wuld yu like a printed cpy f the results yin? r 1.01 liters f water 7

10 Example 2. A typical example fr a fixed irrigatin system with utput measured in milliliters per seedling. At the DOS prmpt type <CONIFERS> and press <Enter>. Screen 1. This prgram was develped t assist with the cmputatin f bulk fertilizer applicatins fr injectr-fed systems fr either fixed r t:raveling bm peratins. Press <Enter> t cntinue? <Enter> Nw enter the target level f nitrgen, fertilizer percentages, and injectr rati. Questins will appear ne at a time. Fllwing the questin regarding yur injectr rati, CONIFERS will prvide the apprpriate calculatins fr the stck slutin. After a few mments yur stck slutin mixing levels will appear. ' Screen 2. What is the desired cncentratin level f Nitrgen (N) in ppm fr the applied slutin? 150 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Nitrgen (N) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Phsphrus xide (P 2 0 S ) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Ptassium (ISO) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter>,What is the injectr rati r siphn ratel:***? 100 <Enter> Mix grams f fertilizer per liter, grams f fertilizer per galln, r 0.63 punds f fertilizer per galln in the stck slutin f Nitrgen (N) t btain 150 ppm in the applied 'slutin. 0.:",;, There is 150 ppm f P 2 05 and 65 ppm f P applied. There is 150 ppm f ISO and 125 ppm f K applied. Wuld yu like a printed cpy f this setup yin? D yu want t 1) Calculate a different scenari, 2) prceed with applicatin time calculatins r 3) End this sessin 1/2/3? 2 Nw that the amunt f cmmercial fertilizer t be mixed with water has been determined fr the stck slutin, input the required infrmatin abut yur irrigatin system s CONIFERS can calculate applicatin times. Answer the fllwing questins 'as they appear n the screen. Questins will appear ne at a time. After entering a respnse and pressing the <Enter> key, the next questin will appear. 8

11 Screen 3. A V Is the applicatin system a fixed spray r a traveling bm enter an F r a T? F <Enter> Is the Nitr?gen (N) applicatin figured in milligrams/seedling r in milliliters/ seedling enter a G r an L? L <Enter> Hw many milliliters f Nitrgen (N) are applied t each seedling? 30 <Enter> What is the flw rate fr the system in gallns/minute? 15 <Enter> What is the applicatin area in square feet fr ne bench? 128 <Enter> Hw many benches are being fertilized simultaneusly? 7 <Enter> Enter a number frm 0 t 100 that indicates the percent f verspray that des nt falln the seedling bed? 10 <Enter> Nw enter the cntainer system efficiency. Screen 4. There is an inherent inefficiency inmst cntainerized prductin peratins. This inefficiency is due t the arrangement f cntainers within their supprt structures. The fllwing example is f a cmmn cntainer and expresses its efficiency in a rati f cntainer pening surface area t ttal surface area. Number f Cntainers/ Cntainer Surface Area/ Cntainer Diameter Square Ft Square Ft Efficiency galln 6.00 in sq. in. 79 % What is the efficiency f the cntainer system being utilized? 79 <Enter> Hw many seedlings exist per square ft? 4 <Enter> In afew mments CONIFERS will calculate the amunt f time t achieve the applicatin f30 milliliters f nitrgen per seedling. Screen 5. These applicatin rates are n a per seedling basis. Time required t apply 30 milliliters f slutin is 2.66 minutes grams r 0.25 punds f fertilizer ando. 40 gallns rl 51 liters f water are required fr the stck slutin. Wuld yu like a printed cpy f the results yin? 9

12 Example 3. A typicaj example fr a traveling bm irrigatin system with utput measured in milligrams per seedling. At the DOS prmpt type <CONIFERS> and press <Enter>. Screen 1. This prgram was develped t assist with the cmputatin f bulk fertilizer applicatins fr injectr fed systems fr either fixed r traveling bm peratins. Press <Enter> t cntinue? <Enter> Nw enter the target level fnitrgen, fertilizer percentages, and injectr rati. Questins will appear ne at a time. Fllwing the questin regarding yur injectr rati, CONIFERS will prvide the apprpriate calculatins fr the stck slutin. After a few mments yur stck slutin mixing levels will appear. Screen 2. What is the desired cncentratin level f Nitrgen (N) in ppm fr the applied slutin? 150 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Nitrgen (N) in the fertilizer?20 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Phsphrus xide (P 2 0 ) S in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Ptassium (~O) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the injectr rati r siphn rate1:###? 100 <Enter> Mix grams f fertilizer per liter, grams f fertilizer per galln, r 0.63 punds f fertilizer per galln in the stck slutin f Nitrgen (N) t btain 150 ppm in the applied slutin. There is 150 ppm f P20S and 65 ppm f P applied. There is 150 ppm f K 2 0 and 125 ppm f K applied. Wuld yu like a printed cpy f this setup y/n? D yu want t 1) Calculate a different scenari, 2) prceed with applicatin time calculatins r 3) End this sessin 1/2/3? 2 Nw that the amunt f cmme~cial fertilizer t be mixed with water has been determined fr the stck slutin, input the required infrmatin abut yur irrigatin system s CONIFERS can calculate applicatin times. Answer the fllwing questins as they appear n the screen. Questins will appear ne at a time. After entering a respnse and pressing the <Enter> key, the next questin will appear. 10

13 0 ',',',' ", Screen 3. Is the applicatin system a fixed spray r a traveling bm enter an F r a T? T <Enter> Is the Nitrgen (N) applicatin figured in milligrams/seedling r in milliliters/ seedling enter a G r an L? G <Enter> Hw many milligrams f Nitrgen (N) are applied t each seedling? 3 <Enter> What is the flw rate fr the system in gallns/minute? 15 <Enter> What is the width f the seedling bed? 12 <Enter> What is the length the bm travels 200 <Enter> What is the travel speed f the bm in feet/minute? 6 <Enter> Enter a number frm 0 t 100 that indicates the percent f verspray that des nt falln the seedling bed? 10 <Enter> Nw enter the cntainer system efficiency. Screen 4. There is an inherent inefficiency in mst cntainerized prductin peratins. This inefficiency is due t the arrangement f cntainers within their supprt structures. The fllwing example is f a cmmn cntainer and expresses its efficiency in a rati f cntainer pening surface area t ttal surface area. Number f,cntainers/ cntainer Surface Area/ Cntainer Diameter Square Ft Square Ft Efficiency galln 6.00 in sq.in. 79 % What is the efficiency f the cntainer system being utilized? 79 <Enter> Hw many seedlings exist per square ft? 4 <Enter> In a few mments CONIFERS will calculate the amunt ftime t achieve the applicatin f3 milligrams fnitrgen per seedling. Screen S. These applicatin rates are n a per seedling basis milligrams f Nitrgen (N) are applied per bm pass. T apply 3 milligrams f Nitrgen per bm pass ne f the three fllwing mdificatins shuld be made t the bm perating system. Hlding flw rate cnstant, change the bm speed t 42.1 feet per minute. Hlding bm speed cnstant, change flw rate t 2.1 gallns per minute. Change flw rate t 5.5 gallns per minute and change bm speed t 15.5 feet per minute. Wuld yu like a printed cpy f the results yin? 11

14 Example 4. A Typical example fr a traveling bm irrigatin system with utput measured in milliliters per seedling. At the DOS prmpt type <CONIFERS> and press <Enter>. Screen 1. This prgram was develped t assist with the cmputatin f bulk fertilizer applicatins fr injectr fed systems fr either fixed r traveling bm peratins. Press <Enter> t cntinue? <Enter> Nw enter the target level fnitrgen. fertilizer percentages. and injectr rati. Questins will appear ne at a time. ~llwing the questin regarding yur injectr rati, CONIFERS will prvide the apprpriate calculatins fr the stck slutin. After a few mments yur stck slutin mixing levels will appear. Screen 2. What is the desired cncentratin level f Nitrgen (N) in ppm fr the applied slutin? 150 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Nitrgen (N) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Phsphrus xide (P 2 0 S ) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the percentage f elemental Ptassium (K 2 0) in the fertilizer? 20 <Enter> What is the injectr rati r siphn rate1:ttt? 100 <Enter> Mix grams f fertilizer per liter, grams f fertilizer per galln, r 0.63 punds f fertilizer per galln in the stck slutin f Nitrgen (N) t btain 150 ppm in the applied slutin. There is 150 ppm f P 2 0 S and 65 ppm f P applied. There is 150 ppm f K 2 0 and 125 ppm f K applied. Wuld yu like a printed cpy f this setup yin? D yu want t 1) Calculate a different scenari, 2) prceed with applicatin time calculatins r 3) End this sessin 1/2/3? 2 Nw that the amunt fcmmercial fertilizer t be mixed with water has been determined fr the stck slutin, input the required infrmatin abllt yur irrigatin system s CONIFERS can calculate applicatin times. Answer the fllwing questins as they appear n the screen. Questins will appear ne at a time. After entering a respnse and pressing the <Enter> key, the next questin will appear. 12

15 Screen 3. Is the applicatin system a fixed spray r a traveling bm enter an F r a T? T <Enter> Is the Nitrgen (N) applicatin figured in milligrams/seedling r in milliliters/ seedling enter a G r an L? L <Enter> Hw many milligrams f Nitrgen (N) are applied t each seedling? 30 <Enter> What is the flw rate fr the system in gallns/minute? 15 <Enter> What is the width f the seedling bed? 12 <Enter> What is the length the bm travels 200 ~Enter> What is the travel speed f the bm in feet/minute? 6 <Enter> Enter a number frm 0 t 100 that indicates the percent f verspray that des nt falln the seedling bed? 10 <Enter> Nw enter the cntainer system efficiency. Screen 4. There is an inherent inefficiency inmst cntainerized prductin peratins. This inefficiency is due t the arrangement f cntainers within their supprt structures. The fllwing example is f a cmmn cntainer and expresses its efficiency ina rati f cntainer pening surface area t ttal surface area. Number f Cntainer Cntainers/ Surface Area/ Cntainer Diameter Square Ft Square Ft Efficiency 1 galln 6.00 in sq.in. 79 % What is the efficiency f the cntainer system being utilized? 79 <Enter> Hw many seedlings exist per square ft? 4 <Enter> Ina few mments CONIFERS will calculate the amunt f time t achieve the applicatin f 30 milliliters f nitrgen per seedling. Screen S. These applicatin rates are n a per seedling basis milliliters f Nitrgen (N) are applied per bm pass. T apply 30 milliliters f Nitrgen per bm pass ne f the three fllwing mdificatins shuld be made t the bm perating system. Hlding flw rate cnstant, change the bm speed t 28.1 feet per minute. Hlding bm speed cnstant, change flw rate t 3.2 gallns per minute. Change flw rate t 7.3 gallns per minute and change bm speed t 13.7 feet per minute. Wuld yu like a printed cpy f the results yin? 13