Using small tubes to measure root elongation of newly germinated alfalfa seedlings in relation to moisture

Abstract

A method of growing newly germinated seedlings in small tubes was developed to enable the study of early root elongation. Three newly germinated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seeds were placed in tubes of various diameters and volumes filled with sand at several moisture tensions, and the tubes were sealed to prevent moisture loss. For the first 4 d, roots elongated at approximately 8 mm d−1 in polyvinyl chloride plastic tubes holding 60 mL of sand with a moisture tension of 100 kPa or less. After the initial 4 d, root elongation continued at a slower rate, and branch roots developed before termination of the experiments at 12 d after germination. At a moisture tension of 300 kPa, root elongation was markedly less than at 100 kPa, and was zero at moisture tensions of 500 kPa or greater. In round-bottom glass tubes, root elongation rate was significantly slower in a sand volume of 23 mL than in 65 mL, and there was evidence of slower seedling development as the diameter of the tubes was reduced from 20 to 15 mm. Wax plus masking tape or nylon tape were equally effective in sealing the sides of tubes formed from the two halves of a plastic pipe previously cut lengthwise. A plastic cap plus wax was significantly better than plastic film for sealing the bottom ends of plastic tubes. Neither aeration nor replacement of water with a dilute nutrient solution had an effect on root elongation of young seedlings. Key words: Alfalfa, seedling, root elongation, moisture stress, Medicago sativa