Abstract
This study assessed the influence of various operational transplanting procedures on J-rooting compared to a no transplanting approach of direct sowing into Hiko trays. Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden and E. pilularis Smith seedlings were examined. All transplanting treatments increased severity and incidence of J-rooting for both species. Gently loosening seedling plugs by hand prior to their removal from cells of 512 trays and gentle manual production of seedling planting holes (dibbering) in potting media in Hiko cells, rather than mechanically loosening and mechanical dibbering, reduced the incidence of J-rooting for both species. Disturbance of seedling plugs from mechanized loosening and increased compaction from mechanical dibbering are believed to have a negative effect on root development. Direct sowing produced seedlings with highest root quality when measured at 27 weeks.
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Notes
Heagney G, Thomas D, Henson M, 2006, Seed source affects seedling quality in E. pilularis seedlings. Forests NSW, 22 pp "unpublished report".
Heagney G, Thomas D, Henson M, 2006, J-root formation in a number of our eucalypt species planting stock is decreasing seedling quality. Forests NSW, 20 pp "unpublished report".
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Forests NSW nursery staff at Inverell Nursery and Grafton Nursery for assistance in production of seedlings. Barry McGlasson (University of Western Sydney) very generously supplied the penetrometer. We gratefully thank Darrel Johnstone and Annette Johnstone for technical assistance when harvesting seedlings.
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Thomas, D.S., Heagney, G.A. & Harper, P. Nursery transplant practices determine seedling root quality of two subtropical eucalypts. New Forests 36, 125–134 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-008-9088-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-008-9088-5