Articles
The best substrate for the accelerated propagation of Thuja occidentalis ‘Pyramidalis’ saplings
Article number
1417_17
Pages
143 – 148
Language
English
Abstract
Thuja occidentalis ‘Pyramidalis’ is a well-evaluated ornamental tree that decorates many streets of the cities.
Its sapling demand is very high.
This study evaluated hydroponic substrates, red and black volcanic slags, to find the best one for thuja sapling growth.
These substrates are porous with a high level of aeration, which is good for plant root growth.
Porous structure allows the accumulation of nutrient solution allowing plants to have access to nutrition and water between irrigations.
Ebb & flow hydroponic system was used for the study.
The study was done in Ararat Valley, with semi-desert climate conditions (dry and hot climate, less precipitation). The studied plants were 1 year old.
According to our biometrical measurements, during a vegetation period (April to September) plants’ height increased 2.8 times (from 13.6±0.8 to 38±1.5 cm) in red slag and 2.3 times (from 10.6±0.6 to 24.6±2.9 cm) in black slag.
The growth rate of plants in black slag exceeded the rate in red slag in May-June showing the highest rate in June (5.7±0.8 cm). From July to September the growth rate was higher in red slag: the highest rate was recorded in July in red slag – 6.2±0.5 cm.
Trunk diameter increase was similar in both substrates during the vegetation period (2.5 times in black slag and 2.4 times in red slag). Foliage diameter increases 1.7 times in the red slag and 1.4 times in the black slag during vegetation.
All these suggest both substrates as good substrates for the T. occidentalis ‘Pyramidalis’ saplings’ growth, but the best one is red slag where plants grow quickly and form rich foliage providing an attractive for sale appearance.
Hydroponic accelerated propagation of the tree-shrub saplings and this system may be one of the best choices to receive enough saplings for further use in cities’ green construction.
Its sapling demand is very high.
This study evaluated hydroponic substrates, red and black volcanic slags, to find the best one for thuja sapling growth.
These substrates are porous with a high level of aeration, which is good for plant root growth.
Porous structure allows the accumulation of nutrient solution allowing plants to have access to nutrition and water between irrigations.
Ebb & flow hydroponic system was used for the study.
The study was done in Ararat Valley, with semi-desert climate conditions (dry and hot climate, less precipitation). The studied plants were 1 year old.
According to our biometrical measurements, during a vegetation period (April to September) plants’ height increased 2.8 times (from 13.6±0.8 to 38±1.5 cm) in red slag and 2.3 times (from 10.6±0.6 to 24.6±2.9 cm) in black slag.
The growth rate of plants in black slag exceeded the rate in red slag in May-June showing the highest rate in June (5.7±0.8 cm). From July to September the growth rate was higher in red slag: the highest rate was recorded in July in red slag – 6.2±0.5 cm.
Trunk diameter increase was similar in both substrates during the vegetation period (2.5 times in black slag and 2.4 times in red slag). Foliage diameter increases 1.7 times in the red slag and 1.4 times in the black slag during vegetation.
All these suggest both substrates as good substrates for the T. occidentalis ‘Pyramidalis’ saplings’ growth, but the best one is red slag where plants grow quickly and form rich foliage providing an attractive for sale appearance.
Hydroponic accelerated propagation of the tree-shrub saplings and this system may be one of the best choices to receive enough saplings for further use in cities’ green construction.
Authors
A. Hakobjanyan, A. Karapetyan, A. Ghahramanyan, A. Yeghiazaryan, S. Eloyan, Kh. Mayrapetyan
Keywords
ebb & flow, planting material, red and black volcanic slags, soilless culture
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Working Group Vaccinium Species and Management
- Working Group Rubus and Ribes Species and Management
- Working Group Kiwifruit Culture and Management
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
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