Scientific Papers Series B Horticulture

performance of the container plants might beimproved in long term. The growing mediatexture could affect plant growth since it willcontrol moisture, aeration and nutrients(Awang and Hamzah, 1986). The rate andpattern of root growth in the soil vary with thephysical, chemical, and microbiologicalproperties of soil (Brown and Scott, 1984). Thephysical properties of the soil can modify rootdiameter, development of root hairs and thebranching pattern of lateral roots (Lucas, 1987).However the interaction between the containersize and soil substrates is less well understoodand less frequently studied.Considering the massive greenery activity inKuwait, it is important to produce plants withquality characteristics, and with no initialdeformation in their root system. To achievethis objective, suitable plants as well as the bestpossible production technologies foroptimization of greenery enhancement is to bedeveloped (Bhat, 1997; Taha et al., 1988).Poorly formed root systems may disruptmanagement objectives and cause unplannedmaintenance expenses. The development, size,form and function of root systems arecontrolled by environmental and managementconditions that modify the expression ofcharacteristics (Harris, 1992). The findings ofthis study are likely to help landscape engineersand environmentalists.The present study tries to understand theeffectiveness of alternative containers anddifferent soils on tree growth. Evaluation ofdifferent containers on plant growth aftertransplanting in the field at a desertenvironment was also studied.MATERIALS AND METHODSExperiment no.1The first two experiments were conducted at agreenhouse of Plant Sciences Department,University of Reading, United Kingdom withan average daily maximum temperature of34°C and a minimum of 18°C. The Seedsobtained from Chiltern Seeds Company weregerminated in plug trays. The dimension ofeach cell in the tray was 3.7x5.5x1.5 cm. Threeweeks after germination, seedlings weretransplanted into the treatment containers filledwith SHL potting mixture. Conventionalnursery plastic pots (4.5x9x3cm) were256compared with root trainers (4x10x3cm), andspring rings (3.5x10x3.5cm). Every week eachcontainer was turned 90 degrees so that lightlevels around each plant were relatively even.After fifteen weeks, plants were harvested andrecorded the data. The number of leaves perplant was counted and leaf area was measuredwith an automatic leaf area meter (Delta TDevices). Leaf and shoot fresh weight wastaken immediately after excision from plant.Leaf and shoot dry weights were recorded. Dryweight for leaf and shoot was determined afterdrying for 72 hours at 80°C. Shoot height fromthe soil level to the tip was recorded. The freshand dry weight of the root and the root lengthwas also measured. The experiment was laidout in a randomized design with five plants pertreatment. Three blocks consisted of threetreatments with five replications, giving a totalof 45 replicates for each experimentExperiment no; 2A total of 120 uniform seedlings were chosenfor the trial. The container treatments wereConventional pots, Spring rings and Roottrainers where as clay 100%, sand 100%,sand85% and clay 15%, sand 70% and clay 30%,sand 55% and clay 45 were the soil seriestreatments. Throughout the study, containerswere rotated and excess bottom roots wereclipped to maintain root growth within thecontainers. The time gap between the twodestructive harvests was five months. Theexperiment was laid as a completelyrandomized design with eight replications.Experiment no. 3Eucalyptus seedlings grown in UnitedKingdom were air shipped to Kuwait and wasexperimented at Salmiya waterfront experimentstation. Spring rings, Root trainers, and Roundcontainers were used as treatments. Thedimensions were 3.5x10x3.5cm, 4x10x3 cmand 3.5x10x3.5cm respectively for Springrings, Root trainers, and Round containers. Theplants remained in the containers for ninemonths and then transplanted into an open fieldin a randomized block design at a spacing of3x3 m. Destructive harvesting took place aftera year. All plants were carefully dug up fromthe field and the soil particles were washed off.Fine sieves were used to prevent any loss ofroot biomass.