Abstract
Rhizosphere pH preferences vary for species and can dramatically influence root growth rates. Research was conducted to determine the effect of root zone pH on the root growth of BuxusmicrophyllaSieb. & Zucc. `Green Beauty' (boxwood) and KalmialatifoliaL. `Olympic Wedding' (mountain laurel). Boxwood plants removed from 3.8-L containers and mountain laurel plants removed from 19-L containers were situated in the center of separate Horhizotrons™. The key design feature of the Horhizotron is four wedge-shaped quadrants (filled with substrate) that extend away from the root ball. Each quadrant is constructed from glass panes that allow the measurement of roots along the glass as they grow out from the root ball into the substrate. For this experiment, each quadrant surrounding a plant was filled with a pine bark substrate amended per m3 (yd3) with 0.9 kg Micromax (Scotts-Sierra, Marysville, Ohio) and 0, 1.2, 2.4, or 3.6 kg dolomitic limestone. All plants received 50 g of 15N–3.9P–9.8K Osmocote Plus (Scotts-Sierra), distributed evenly over the surface of the root ball and all quadrants. Plants were grown from May to Aug. 2003 in a greenhouse. Root lengths were measured about once per week throughout the experiment. Root length increased linearly over time for all species in all substrates. Rate of root growth of boxwood was highest in pine bark amended with 3.6 kg·m3 lime and lowest in unamended pine bark. Rate of root growth of mountain laurel was lowest in pine bark amended with 3.6 kg·m3 lime. Results support the preference of mountain laurel and boxwood for acidic and alkaline soil pH environments, respectively.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.