ISHS Acta Horticulturae 689: VII International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology
ARTIFACTS OF GRAPEVINE ROOT PROLIFERATION FOLLOWING INSTALLATION OF MINIRHIZOTRON OBSERVATION TUBES |
| Authors: | D.R. Smart, C. Stockert, T. Bauerle, E. Carlisle, M. Goebel |
| Keywords: | Roots, minirhizotron, Merlot, rootstocks |
| Abstract:
The use of minirhizotron observation tubes for conducting investigations of grapevine root phenology and population dynamics has grown in popularity during the past decade. Installation of observation tubes is thought to minimize soil disturbance and provide the best non-destructive method for tracking root proliferation and population demographics. Here we report that installation of polybutyrate minirhizotron observation tubes in a heavy clay loam soil in the Oakville Region of Napa Valley resulted in root proliferation artifacts during the spring root flush that occurred two months after their installation. Fertilization with KNO3 (40 kg N ha1) during the autumn following harvest also stimulated root growth compared to non-fertilized controls, but the quantitative number of new roots produced shied in comparison to the number of roots produced following the disturbance caused by tube installation. | |
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