Artificial Emotion
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
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if you trim the one taproot the plant will not be adversely affected but IT WILL redistribute the auxins and cytokinines resulting in a branchng root system...... its a plant physiological fact
BIOLOGY OF ROOT GROWTH
A plant's root system functions to conduct water and nutrients, move water and minerals and store food (Campbell, 1989).
Most trees have a taproot system, consisting of one large, vertical root (taproot) which produces many smaller secondary roots (lateral roots). The first taproot develops directly from the root meristem of the seed embryo. Lateral roots on the other hand, develop from the deep-seated outer layer of the stele, also known as the pericycle. Three branches of lateral roots may develop off of the tap root. The new branch is usually a long root that becomes a part of the permanent woody root system. The second type of lateral roots are short roots. The final type of lateral roots are developed when short roots convert to long roots. Following an injury to the woody long root tip, a branch results and usually two more long root tips follows. Injury can also occur to the non-woody lateral roots. Forking of replacement lateral roots follow (Kozlowski and Pallardy, 1997). Severed roots decompose and the ends will form calluses. Bud-like root primordia may develop near these callous tips (May, 1984). In general, injury to the root system (such as that from root pruning) leads to the formation of additional lateral roots and an a well developed root system.
Root fibrosity is a term used by nursery managers to refer to the extensive, multi-branched tree roots spread out under the soil surface. The attributes of a fibrous root system are important to a young, transplanted seedling's establishment and survival. Root fibrosity gives the tree extensive exposure to soil water and minerals and also helps to anchor it in place (Campbell, 1989). In addition, trees with a fibrous root system are able to withstand drought better than shallow, sparsely branched root systems (Kozlowski and Pallardy, 1997).
UNDERCUTTING EFFECTS ON ROOTS
The regeneration of roots following an undercutting is important to transplanted tree's survival, establishment and growth. Numerous studies have shown that a compact, fibrous root system result from undercutting (Racey and Racey, 1988). In addition, the denser, more fibrous root system results in a better balanced tree at the time of lifting.
Root pruning has been shown to increase both the amount of root surface area and the percentage of the total root system. A heavily branched root system in trees can be produced by multiple undercuttings the tap root (Racey and Racey, 1988).
Close examination of undercut roots revels that many small roots will regenerate from each severed one. Such trees, because of their greater compactness of the root system, are easier to lift and transplant (Stoeckeler and Jones, 1957). Over time, however, some of the small replacement roots may begin to deteriorate. Lifting the trees when the number of replacement roots is the highest will maximize the total root surface area and hence survival (Watson and Sydnor, 1987).
Root quality and vigor were shown to increase with undercutting of loblolly pine (Wisniewski et al, 1991). New lateral root production was shown to occur in red oak after multiple undercuttings (Harmer and Walder, 1994).
Undercutting was shown to be very effective in fine root production of black walnut (Williams, 1972), Douglas fir (Tanaka et al, 1974), and yellow poplar (Thor, 1965).
Decapitation of the primary roots of Pisum sativum L. resulted in a significant increase in the initiation of lateral root primordia within 12 h of the surgical treatment. Although this increase occurred both in the light and in the dark, lateral root initiation and development was much more rapid in the dark. The formation of lateral root primordia was accompanied by increased levels of endogenous cytokinins suggesting that newly formed root primordia start producing cytokinins very soon after being initiated. The significance of the present results in terms of possible sites of synthesis in vegetative tissue is discussed
Cutting and pasting something you found on the net about trees and garlic isn't much use to us.
There's a big difference between the conventional type of root pruning people undertake and Prelude accidentally cutting off a bit of the taproot 8)
Here's an explanation of undercutting:
The term root undercutting is generally used to describe a form of root manipulation. In general, root pruning is an umbrella term which refers to the above ground root trimming while undercutting is best applied to the severance of the plants roots in situ in the nursery seedbed (Sutton, 1967; Sutton and Tinus, 1983). The undercutting of roots is accomplished by drawing a horizontally mounted, thin, sharpened blade through the nursery bed, severing roots along the way (Hobbs et al, 1986)
Just to make it clear to you. I was explaining that in practice, although cutting off the taproot may have a similar effect on removing apical dominance from the taproot, in practice this will not produce a result one would get from topping. You don't hear about people trimming the taproot to promote lateral secondary root branching now do you?
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