ISHS Acta Horticulturae 557: VII International Symposium on Orchard and Plantation Systems
GROWTH OF YOUNG SWEET CHERRY TREES IN RESPONSE TO ROOT RESTRICTION USING ROOT CONTROL BAGS |
| Authors: | M.D. White, D.S. Tustin, K.F. Foote, J.M. Campbell |
| Keywords: | shoot:root ratio, dry matter partitioning, Prunus avium L. |
| Abstract:
Sweet Cherry trees were conventionally planted or grown in root control bags with effective root volumes of 89 or 112 litres to determine the effects of root restriction on vegetative and reproductive growth. Shoot growth and trunk cross-sectional area of root restricted trees was 63 % of control trees after two seasons of growth. Root restriction increased flower density during spring of the third season but trees did not set fruit. The percent of total dry mass increased for roots and decreased for shoots resulting in a higher shoot:root ratio for root restricted trees. Roots growing outside root control bags were found to have a lower dry matter ratio that roots growing inside the bag or for control trees. The implications of these results are discussed. | |
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