Abstract
Container-grown seedlings of Pinustaeda L. with well-formed terminal buds, feather-tops (a succulent shoot tip crowned with a tuft of primary needles), and terminal buds removed (debudded) were sampled in November, December, and January. Root growth potential for unstored and stored seedlings was measured to determine if it is affected by shoot tip morphology. Seedlings with buds or debudded seedlings had higher root growth potential than feather-top seedlings. Root growth potential was correlated with several morphological variables, including total ovendry weight (r = 0.81). As feather-top seedlings were smaller in diameter and biomass, a covariate analysis (using seedling dry weight as a covariate) was conducted. The covariate analysis indicated that differences in root growth potential between shoot types could be accounted for by differences in seedling size. The percentage of seedlings resuming growth and the total amount of new shoot growth during the test of root growth potential showed that feather-top seedlings and seedlings with terminal buds respond similarly to chilling temperatures. These results indicate that seedling size is more important than the presence of a well-formed terminal bud when seedlings are graded before outplanting.
Published Version
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