Published in Scientific Papers. Series B. Horticulture., Vol. LVII
Written by Hani AL-ZALZALEH
Root coiling and spiraling are the problems faced by the nurserymen for producing quality tree seedlings for landscaping. The effects of various container types and substrate interactions on plant growth, and the influence of container type on post transplanting in the desert environment were investigated. Two arid- region plant species known for producing deep taproots (Acacia saligna and Eucalyptus viminalis) were selected for the study. Conventional nursery pots were compared with root trainers and spring rings to determine the root growth and architecture. Results showed that Acacia plants grown in spring rings showed significant increased plant height where as conventional pots give highest root weight and as a consequence produced greater plant biomass. Clear trends for Eucalyptus was less obvious, but tended to contrast with the findings for Acacia. Studies on the effect of combination of organic soil and container type revealed that Eucalyptus plants grown in conventional containers have the highest plant growth. Among the soil mixes, Eucalyptus grown in 100% clay soil had a greater leaf area. When the plants were transplanted into an arid landscape, the plants grown in the spring rings distributed in all directions in the soil, and this habit is likely to aid the tree in future. In this study, the results showed that container type could affect the aerial parts but this depends on the plant species. Results demonstrated that spring rings reduce harmful root biomass (encircling roots) and encourage root primordia. Differences in root and shoot growth resulting from the use of a range of growing media did not seem to interact with container type. The effect of the spring ring on plants grown in the landscape was obvious visually in the short term but not apparent from growth quantification.
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