The Effect of Rootstock Activity for Growth and Root System Soaking in Trichoderma atroviride on the Graft Success and Continued Growth of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Plants

Abstract

Two independent experiments were conducted on the effect of various factors, such as cultivars, growth activity of the rootstock and its treatment, with Trichoderma atroviride on graft success and growth of annual beech plants. The first experiment concerned the effect of propagation of five beech cultivars on rootstocks that are active (with growth activity), grown before the treatment in multi-cell plant trays (plastic seedling trays) or bare-root in the dormancy period. The highest success rate of the treatment was observed for dormant (without growth activity) and bare-root rootstocks. However, the best plant growth parameters during the first year of cultivation were observed when grafting active rootstocks obtained from multi-cell plant trays, while the worst results were observed for dormant, bare-root rootstocks. The individual cultivars varied significantly in terms of graft success and continued plant growth. The second experiment concerned the effect of rootstock growth activity and soaking of the rootstock root system in Trichoderma atroviride on graft success, growth parameters, and the intensity of some physiological processes in beech plants. The simultaneous use of both above-mentioned treatments resulted in the most intensive growth and accelerated physiological processes of the plants tested. Inoculation of rootstocks with Trichoderma atroviride did not affect the graft success. On the other hand, the growth activity of rootstocks at the time of grafting increased the success rate of the treatment. The treatments similarly differentiated the results obtained for two beech cultivars tested.