The effect of cupric carbonate on root morphology of containerized mycorrhizal pine seedlings

Abstract

Loblolly (Pinustaeda L.), longleaf (Pinuspalustris Mill.), shortleaf (Pinusechinata Mill.), and eastern white (Pinusstrobus L.) pine seedlings inoculated with Pisolithustinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch (Pt) were raised in a greenhouse in containers painted with latex paint containing 50 g/L cupric carbonate (CuCO3). To determine the effects of CuCO3 on root development and morphology, seedlings were sampled in the middle and at the end of the test. The treatment was effective in preventing most first-order laterals of all species from growing down the container wall, yet it had no significant effect on seedling height, root-collar diameter, or top and root fresh weight. Cupric carbonate had little effect on ectomycorrhizal formation on loblolly and shortleaf seedlings, but significantly increased it on longleaf seedlings and decreased it on eastern white seedlings. Using CuCO3 to alter root morphology of containerized southern pine seedlings inoculated with Pt has the potential for developing stock that will grow long laterals near the soil surface for anchorage and increase the rate of spread of Pt ectomycorrhizae from the plug to new roots after planting.