Evaluation of water-retaining polymers on transplant survival of bare-rooted silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)
2014
Percival, Glynn C. | Schaffert, Emma
Developments in water-retaining polymer (WRP) technology have led to the use of polymer crystals or granules that are incorporated into the soil medium as an amendment rather than a root dip and/or by addition of root-enhancing compounds such as sugar and mycorrhiza into the gel. The influence of three commercially available WRPs applied as a root dip or soil amendment at the time of planting on transplant survival of two transplant-sensitive tree species, silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) under field conditions was investigated. The efficacy of each treatment on growth was quantified by recording root and shoot development and monitoring survival over two growing seasons. Improvements in tree vitality were assessed by measuring leaf photosynthetic rates, chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content. Irrespective of species, application of a WRP had no significant effect on tree survival rates or tree vitality. In some cases, application of a WRP reduced growth and vitality compared with non-treated controls indicating a detrimental impact on tree biology. Based on the results of this study none of the commercially available WRPs tested can be recommended as a means of enhancing transplant survival of bare-rooted trees.
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