Determination of an Economic Optimum Fertility and Container Volume Combination for Six Woody Ornamental Species

Abstract

This study is concerned with cost and return comparisons for six common nursery species as influenced by changes in container volume or fertility. The primary objective is to determine the combination of slow release fertilizer (18~6-12 Osmocote) and container volume which will return the highest profit for each species at the end of the growing cycle. An economic analysis system is developed and employed in translating empirical results of plant growth response to treatment into profit comparisons.