Closed Root System Research Articles

Descriptive Analysis of Introduction of Innovative Technologies in Forestry

The problem of innovative development of the most important area of forestry is reforestation. Established thatquestions the use of innovative technologies in reforestation and afforestation in Russia is still not well defined.One promising avenue is the use of planting material with closed root system (MCS). However, for thedevelopment and practical application of technological innovation requires financial support, due to the high costof produce seed with MCS. As evidence of the economic cost calculation done on the basis of compiledcash-flow sheets on growing seedlings with open and closed root systems and the establishment of forestplantations biennial seedlings ACS and PCL-year seedlings grown in containers with a volume of cells 150, 200,300 and 400 cm3 conditions and non-heated greenhouses. The authors revealed that the main factor of the cost ofseedlings with MCS is the costs for the maintenance of machines and mechanisms, i.e. organization costs ofpurchasing and maintaining expensive greenhouses. It is proved that the cost of producing the annual containerplanting material (MCS) and the subsequent development of forest plantations is not significantly different fromthe receipt of annual and biennial seedlings from bare-root in a greenhouse covered ground, but its practicalapplication in silviculture production gives a whole other opportunities related primarily from a significantreduction in terms of the cultivation of seed and seedlings of high adaptability. It is proved that the establishmentof forest cultures seedlings with MCS is only possible with the support of the state, i.e. through the mechanismof public-private partnerships.

Influence of Suaeda salsa as a Companion Crop with Tomato Plant in a Closed Root System

The use of the halophyte Suaeda salsa as a salt absorber in saline soils has been exploited as an attempt to increase crop productivity in marginal saline soils. The shoot and root salt contents of this halophyte has been documented to reach up to 27% and 12% of dry weights. The sodium salinity stress of the growth media [peat:vermiculite (1:1 by volume)] may be alleviated by planting the Suaeda with tomato plant in the same root pouch of a completely closed root environment, referred to as the closed insulated pallet system (CIPS). The CIPS is a continuous sub-irrigation capillary system with water moving from reservoir to rootzone in response to plant uptake. In CIPS, fertilizer reserve is placed at the top surface of the root matrix, so fertilizer ions move downward by diffusion. The objective of the present research was to utilize the Suaeda salsa as a bio-desalinator, so salinity of the growth media is reduced, thus reducing the salt uptake by the tomato cv. `Pik Red'. Two salinity levels (control and 4 g/L NaCl in the sub-irrigation water) were imposed on tomato plants or tomato grown with Suaeda in the same pouch. Sodium contents were reduced 56.4% and 37.1% in the growth media and tomato foliage, respectively, in the presence of the halophyte during a 110-day growing period. Likewise, the electrical conductivity of the growth media was reduced by 31.1% with Suaeda companionship. The Suaeda had accumulated salts up to 4.1 mg/g dry weight tissues. The results seem promising; however, growth and yield of tomato plants grown with the halophyte were significantly decreased, probably due to competition for nitrogen and/or light. Research is underway for development of the CIPS to better accomodate crop companionship.