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Home → Native Plant Network → Journal → Articles → Geotropic lateral roots of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings

Native Plants Journal - Article

Geotropic lateral roots of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings

Abstract:

More than 95% of container-grown longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Mill.) seedlings had roots growing downward vertically (geotropically) when examined 7 to 8 mo after transplanting into sand. Geotropic roots were rarely the original taproot (< 0.5%) but were usually adventitious lateral roots that had formed about the callus tissue. Air-pruning in the nursery results in callus formation at the end of the taproot and typically, 1 or more adventitious roots emerge just above the callus tip. Although many first-order lateral roots were deflected downward by container walls, few exhibited positive geotropic growth after transplanting. Most grew in directions other than straight down. In this study, about 4% of the seedlings lacked geotropic roots. Longleaf pines with a long taproot or sinker roots are less susceptible to toppling at a young age than are trees without vertical roots.

Issue & Pages:

Fall 2001 Pages: 126-130

Article Download:

2-2NPJ126-130.pdf (PDF document)

Authors:

  • David B South
  • Jason Shelton
  • Scott A Enebak

Keywords:

Pinus palustris, geotropism, taproot, container-grown, root growth, toppling