Using air-pots to improve shoot and root quality of saplings of five shrub species used in landscape restoration

Abstract

ABSTRACT Establishment of saplings of woody ornamental perennials is a challenging task during mass plantation campaigns in degraded landscapes. Consequently, large proportions of transplanted saplings fail to flourish. A two-year field study was conducted with an objective of raising quality saplings of five woody shrubs (Buxus sempervirens, Lawsonia inermis, Murraya paniculata, Schefflera arboricola and Tecoma stans) under the subtropical environment of Northwest India to address this issue. Six-month-old, rooted seedlings of these shrubs were planted in two container types: air-pots and poly bags (Control), arranged in a randomised complete block design replicated three times. A two-year study revealed that container type significantly altered the root and shoot characteristics. The saplings raised in air-pots showed a higher percentage increment for collar diameter, plant height, first order lateral roots, root and shoot dry weight as compared to those grown in poly bags. Observations revealed a higher order of deflected, circled, or kinked roots in the poly bag raised saplings, along with a higher increment in root length due to unchecked extension of tap root(s). Air-pots also exhibited better indices with acceptable root: shoot ratio and sturdiness quotient with negligible root deformities, a necessary pre-requisite for better survival and establishment of transplanted saplings.