Scientific Papers Series B Horticulture

Also, the dry biomass and root length did notsignificantly among the treatments. Plantswhich were grown in the spring ring containershad root systems that were distributed evenlythrough the soil and in all directions. The rootsystems from plants grown in root trainers andround containers had roots that were moreactive in the base and greater biomass. It is wellrecognized that tree survival and growth isstrongly influenced by the root system. Theroot system is the means by which soil-basedresources are used, tree anchorage is achieved(Fitter, 1991).Table 3. Effect of alternate containers on plant growth inarid climateAirParameterPruner Root Trainer Roundcontainer Plant height increment 55.8 78.0 72.0 Number of branches 24.0 22.0 30.0 Root biomass 7.54 8.32 10.18 Root length 57.19 63.3 42.70 *Level of significance-0.05A positive root distribution was found in plantsSprig ring containers. This would improve thetree’s ability to tolerate the harsh environmentof Kuwait’s desert. In the long term, plantsgrown in conventional containers might faceproblems with environmental stresses inKuwait. Good root systems can be shaped innurseries using proper containers (Long, 1978).There was only a significant difference in theroot length. This could aid the plant inabsorbing moisture during drought stress andstrengthen anchorage in high winds. From theobservations and the data, it is clear that plantgrowth was not affected by the container type.The plant root system was well distributed inall directions when growth in the field, and nodeformed roots were detected in plants initiatedin spring ring containers.CONCLUSIONSThis study reveals that spring rings have betterresults on A. saligna plant height whereasconventional pots gave the highest in totalbiomass production. Clear trends were lessobvious for Eucalyptus, but tended to contrastwith the findings for Acacia. Container typecould affect the aerial parts but this depends onthe plant species. On the other hand containertype and shape had direct impact on rootbehavior but not necessarily on root production.Among the soil substrates Eucalyptus grown in100%clay had a greater leaf area. Spring ringcontainers reduced harmful root biomass andencircling of roots. The plant root system waswell distributed when grown in the field, andno deformed roots were detected in treestransplanted from spring ring containers.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe author would like to thank KuwaitUniversity and Kuwait Institute for ScientificResearch for providing the finance,infrastructural facilities and encouragement.REFERENCESArnold M.A., 1996. Mechanical correction andmechanical avoidance of circling of rootsdifferentially affect post transplant root regenerationand field establishment on container grown Shumarkoak. Journal of American Society of HorticultureScience, 121, p. 258-263.Atkinson D., Wilson S.A., 1979. The root soil interfaceand its significance for fruit tree roots of differentages. In: Harley J.L., Scott R.R (Eds), Soil RootInterface. Academic Press, p. 259-271.Aung L.H., 1974. Root and shoot relationship. In: CarsonE.W (Eds), Plant Root and its Environment.University Press, Virginia, p. 29-61.Awang K., Hamzah M.B., 1986. Effect of pottingmixtures and fertilizers on the growth of Acaciamangium wild seedlings. Malaysian ApplicationBiology, 15 (1), p. 31-42.Bhat N.R., 1997. Screening of selected plants forlandscape beautification and greenery development inKuwait. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research,Report No. 5143, Kuwait.Brown D.A., Scott H.D., 1984. Dependence of cropgrowth and yield on root development and activity.In: Barber S.A., Bouldin D.R (Eds), Roots, Nutrient,Water Influx and Plant Growth. Soil Science Societyof America, p. 101-136.Cockroft B., Wallbrink J.C., 1966. Root distribution oforchard trees. Australian journal of AgricultureResearch (17), p. 49-54Donahue R.L., Miller R.W., Shickluna J.C., 1983. Anintroduction to soils and plant growth. EnglewoodCliffs, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.Ferree D.C., 1989. Growth and carbohydrate distributionof young apple trees in response to root pruning andtree density. Horticulture Science, 24 (1), p. 62-65.Fitter A.H., 1991. Characteristics and functions of rootsystems. Marcel Decker, New York, 3-25.Gilman E.F., Kane M.E., 1990. Root growth of Redmaple following planting from containers.Horticulture Science, 25 (5), p. 527-528.259