Chemical or air root-pruning containers improve carambola, longan, and mango seedling root morphology and initial root growth after transplanting.
Marler T. E., Willis D.
Author Affiliation: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao 96923, Guam.
Journal of Environmental Horticulture 14 : 47-49
Abstract : Carambola cv. Golden Star, longan and mango cv. Turpentine nursery transplants were produced in copper-treated, air-root-pruning (carambola and mango only), or untreated conventional plastic containers during 1990 and 1991. Copper treatments did not affect root growth of carambola or mango, but increased total root growth during container production, the proportion of roots in the upper half of the root system, and new root growth after transplanting in longan. Air-root-pruning containers increased the proportion of roots in the upper half of the rootball and new root growth of carambola and mango following transplanting. Copper-treated containers for longan and air-root-pruning containers for carambola and mango effectively stopped root extension growth at the container wall/growing medium interface.