COMPARING ROOT GROWTH POTENTIAL OF LOBLOLLY PINE SEEDLINGS IN HYDROPONIC CULTURE AND PEAT-VERMICULITE MEDIUM
Root growth potential is the ability of seedlings to initiate and elongate roots when placed in a favorable environment. It is a valuable measure of physiological quality and is a good predictor of field performance. A simple apparatus using aerated water for the root growing medium can be inexpensively built for conducting evaluations at a nursery. However, this study shows that both the number and total length of new root production are less in hydroponic culture than in similar tests conducted in peat-vermiculite potting medium. Even so, the differences between the test methods are consistent enough that the hydroponic system gives meaningful results.
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Details
Author(s): John C. Brissette
Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 1986
Event:
Southern Forest Nursery Association
1986 - Pensecola, Florida