Nursery practices --
Controlling root form

Untreated container walls allow lateral roots to turn down, accumulating the growing root tips at the base of the plug. Once planted, this root form can affect juvenile stability in Pli. Copper-treated container walls prevent lateral roots from turning down, effectively inhibiting or "pruning" them at the wall. Roots resume lateral growth upon release from the container, all along the depth of the plug. In particular, lateral roots that egress from the upper portions of the plug provide stability and access to soils that are warmer and richer in nutrients.
 

New root growth egress

© 1999 B.C. Ministry of Forests,
Nursery & Seed Operations Branch

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