Greenhouse Benches and Pots Designed to Facilitate Subirrigation

Abstract

Greenhouse benches and pots were specially designed to facilitate herbicide research on plants. Four 0.8-cm risers were added to the bottom of polyethylene pots to improve drainage after subirrigation or surface watering. A rule die was made to punch out paper discs needed to cover the holes in the bottom of the pots to prevent soil loss during watering or drainage. Flat, level greenhouse tables with a 3-cm hinged side around the edges, were covered with 2-mm polyethylene sheeting to facilitate water retention when the side was in the up position during subirrigation and subsequent drainage of water when the side was down. Much time was saved and the soil was watered more uniformly by this system. Economics dictated discarding pots after herbicide experiments rather than incurring the expense of washing them and risking contamination of subsequent experiments.