COLLEGE STATION, TXLandscape trees are increasingly being produced using container nursery systems rather than traditional field production practices. In contrast to field production techniques, successful container production requires a series of transplanting events in which trees are sequentially transferred to larger containers, a practice known as "potting-up" or "up-canning".
Problems can arise when trees are planted either too deep or too shallow at each up-canning. Variability in planting depth (the location of the root collar relative to soil surface, or grade), is of particular concern; optimum planting depth may vary among species and may be dependent on cultural practices and environmental conditions. A new study investigated transplanting practices during container production of the popular landscape tree lacebark elm.
"A lack of knowledge about the effects of common transplanting practices may lead to suboptimal performance of planted landscape trees. Our goal was to determine if transplanting practices during container production through two up-canning events would affect subsequent landscape performance", said Donita L. Bryan of the University of WisconsinPlatteville and corresponding author of the study. Bryan and colleagues from Texas A&M University conducted their experiments on lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia Jacq.), a landscape tree commonly used in urban environments. The study, published in HortScience, investigated effects of planting depth during two successive phases of container production (10.8 L and 36.6 L) and eventual landscape establishment.
The scientists tested whether trees that were initially planted with root collars below grade or above grade, then brought back to grade during successive up-canning or when placed in the landscape, performed as well as trees that were consistently planted with root collars at grade. The experiments also tested whether below-grade planting in containe
'/>"/>
| Contact: Michael W. Neff mwneff@ashs.org 703-836-4606 American Society for Horticultural Science Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. No consistent advantage for planting soybean early
2. Vidalia onions: Alternative to hand-transplanting proven effective
3. Search for salt tolerant grasses aims to improve roadside plantings
4. Implanting embryonic cardiac cells prevents arrhythmias
5. Planting carbon deep in the earth -- rather than the greenhouse
6. NTU researchers complete the worlds first in-depth study of the malaria parasite genome
7. Juvenile bluefin tunas can dive to depths of more than 1000 meters
8. How we see objects in depth: The brains code for 3-D structure
9. New technique sees into tissue at greater depth, resolution
10. Interdisciplinary volume on biological rhythms serves as both primer and in-depth resource
11. Black or blue? Mulch color affects okra growth, yield
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |