Growth of young budding plants as affected by type and packing density of the potting media

E. A. D. Siriwardana,V. U. Edirimanna,R. S. Dharmakeerthi,J. A. S. Chandrasiri

doi:10.4038/jrrisl.v89i0.1847

E. A. D. Siriwardana, V. U. Edirimanna + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/jrrisl.v89i0.1847

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Abstract

The effects of potting media and the degree of compaction on shoot and root growth of Hevea brasiliensis (A. Juss.) Muell. Arg. plants raised using young budding technique were determined in this study. Soils were mixed with coir dust or saw dust to a ratio of either 1:1 or 3:1 and filled into polybags with two compaction levels. Shoot diameter and dry weight, and root dry weights were measured at 12 weeks after planting and 6 weeks after cut-back. Percentages of buddable plants, grafting success, scion death and sprouting were also measured. Plants in soil-coir dust 3:1 ratio (SC31) recorded the highest seedling growth (7.2 mm in diameter) as well as scion growth (6.2 mm in diameter) while the lowest growth was observed in soil only (seedling diameter of 6.5 mm) and in soil-saw dust 3:1 (SS31) media (scion diameter of 4.4mm). Total root weight also was significantly higher in SC31 compared to those in other potting media, both at 12 weeks after planting (3.36 g plant-1) and 6 weeks after cut-back (7.99 g plant-1). Feeder root density was significantly low in currently adopted soil only treatments at both growth stages. The plants in the soil and coir dust mixed polybags had higher probability of attaining buddable girth than plants in other treatments. The level of compaction in the potting media had no significant impact on shoot or root growth parameters measured. This study showed that growth of young budding plants could significantly be improved by using a potting media of soil and coir dust with a ratio of 3:1. Relative advantages of having a polybag plant with a dense root system are discussed in relation to stress mitigation both in the nursery and field.

Highlights

Plant growth is affected by physical, chemical, and biological properties of the growing media
The bulk density of the potting media increased with time except for
Watering during the experimental period could have largely responsible for the settling in of the potting media

Summary

Introduction

Plant growth is affected by physical, chemical, and biological properties of the growing media. Information on the effect of soil physical properties on the growth of rubber plants raised by young budding technique is not available. Under field conditions, Soong (1976) has observed more feeder roots in rubber plants grown on a very sandy soil than on a clayey soil in Malaysia. Samarappuli et al (1996) observed that root density of field grown rubber plants in Sri Lanka was negatively related to soil bulk density and positively related to organic C content. Compaction affects the pore size distribution and the water and air retention of the soil (Kay, 1998) and it increases the root penetration resistance as well. The increased proportion of smaller pores during compaction results in soil behaving as if it were a finer textured soil (Greacen and Sands, 1980)

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Conclusion