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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2017, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (6): 47-55.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20170606

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Combined Effects of Container Type and Radicle Pruning on Seedling Quality and Early Field Performance of Quercus variabilis Container Seedlings

Liu Jiajia1,2, Li Guolei1,2, Liu Yong1, Shang Zhiguo3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083;
    2. Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment Beijing 100083;
    3. Forest Tree Seed Station of Luanchuan County Luoyang 471500
  • Received:2017-01-25 Revised:2017-03-05 Online:2017-06-25 Published:2017-07-14

Abstract: [Objective] Container type and radicle pruning have been individually proved to effectively regulate seedling quality. In current study, we examined whether the combination of these two approaches could yield a superior effects on seedling performance during nursery and field phases in order to provide reference for the container seedling cultivation. [Method] Quercus variabilis seeds with the radicle pruned (RP) or control (CK) were sown in two different container type (D40 and Slit). Root architecture, seedling growth, nutrient concentration and subsequent field performance of the seedlings were investigated. [Result] Container type and radicle pruning significantly interacted root architecture and nutrient concentration, the combination of D40-CK improved growth of roots with diameter < 2 mm, and increased total root surface area and volume while the combination of D40-RP increased K concentration, indicating the necessity of combining the two approaches. The main effects indicated that D40 treatment increased growth if roots with diameter for 2-5 mm and aboveground, but decreased R/S in the nursery. The D40 treatment promoted seedling height and RCD growth within the first year after outplanting. However, the promotion disappeared in the second year after outplanting. Radicle pruning treatment decreased growth of roots with diameter > 5 mm, seedling height, RCD and root dry mass of seedlings in the nursery. The pruning treatment still inhibited height and RCD growth of seedlings in the first year after outplanting. Radicle pruning treatment decreased survival but improved root growth and nutrient uptake in the second outplanting season. [Conclusion] Both the interactive and main effects of container type and radicle pruning on root architecture, seedling growth, nutrient status and early field performance indicated that it is necessary to combine the two approaches to improve seedling quality. The optimum combination of D40 container and non-radicle pruning (CK) was recommended for container seedling production of Q. variabilis with a dominant taproot.

Key words: Quercus variabilis, container type, radicle pruning, root architecture, field performance

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