Effect of chemical root pruning and tree pot shape on seedling development of Prosopis alba (Grisebach)

Abstract

Prosopis alba is a forest resource widely distributed in the world and in Argentina is considered a multipurpose species for fodder, human food, firewood, coal, wood and dye. Therefore, in Argentina and neighboring countries, studies on cultivation of Prosopis species and on various propagation methods began to take place. It is currently considered that good quality seedlings are those whose roots are capable of producing explosive growth once taken to the planting site. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of chemical root pruning in seedlings produced in containers of different shapes. Two types of containers (square and round) were evaluated, with and without chemical treatment based on copper. Morphometric characters of the plants were measured up to 120 days after planting. The results indicate that both the shape of the container, as well as the implementation of chemical root pruning have effects on some of the morphometric characters analyzed. The use of square containers, regardless of the use of copper or not, significantly affected and improved the diameter at neck height, aerial and radical dry weights, the slenderness coefficient at 90 days and the absolute growth rate with respect to round containers. In turn, regardless of the type of container, chemical pruning with copper determined positive effects on the length and area of the roots. Dickson’s quality index was statistically higher when using square containers and performing chemical pruning with copper.