Articles
EFFECT OF DRYING AND REHYDRATION ON REGROWTH OF BAREROOT PERENNIALS
Article number
886_2
Pages
27 – 33
Language
English
Abstract
Low survival and regrowth vigor are recurring problems in the bareroot perennial industry and can result from a combination of factors in the supply chain.
The main commercial complaints in the bareroot perennial industry center on moldy and/or dehydrated bareroots, both conditions that can cause reductions in regrowth vigor and survival.
Over two years, experiments were conducted to determine if drying conditions during packing affect regrowth vigor and survival, and to determine if a pre-plant soak in water has a beneficial effect on regrowth vigor and survival.
Dutch-grown bareroot crowns of Echinacea purpurea Magnus, Helleborus orientalis Tricastin, Papaver orientale Forncett Summer and Phlox paniculata Rowie were used in 2005 and Achillea millefolium Paprika, Aster novae-angliae Andenken an Alma Pötschke, Echinacea Arts Pride, Geranium cinereum Ballerina, Helleborus niger Buis, Papaver orientale Forncett Summer and Phlox paniculata Amethyst were used in 2006. After lifting and washing, bareroots were subjected to 0, 2, 4, 8, or 24 hours drying at 9C. Prior to planting at Cornell half of the roots were given a 10 minute water soak.
Three weeks after planting, plant height, number of shoots, percent survival, and root and shoot growth rating were measured.
A 10 minute pre-plant water soak increased survival in Phlox, but had no effect on Echinacea, Helleborus and Papaver. In 2006, a drying period of 24 hours decreased the percentage of survival in most species, and in some species the decrease in survival was associated with desiccation and mold incidence.
The main commercial complaints in the bareroot perennial industry center on moldy and/or dehydrated bareroots, both conditions that can cause reductions in regrowth vigor and survival.
Over two years, experiments were conducted to determine if drying conditions during packing affect regrowth vigor and survival, and to determine if a pre-plant soak in water has a beneficial effect on regrowth vigor and survival.
Dutch-grown bareroot crowns of Echinacea purpurea Magnus, Helleborus orientalis Tricastin, Papaver orientale Forncett Summer and Phlox paniculata Rowie were used in 2005 and Achillea millefolium Paprika, Aster novae-angliae Andenken an Alma Pötschke, Echinacea Arts Pride, Geranium cinereum Ballerina, Helleborus niger Buis, Papaver orientale Forncett Summer and Phlox paniculata Amethyst were used in 2006. After lifting and washing, bareroots were subjected to 0, 2, 4, 8, or 24 hours drying at 9C. Prior to planting at Cornell half of the roots were given a 10 minute water soak.
Three weeks after planting, plant height, number of shoots, percent survival, and root and shoot growth rating were measured.
A 10 minute pre-plant water soak increased survival in Phlox, but had no effect on Echinacea, Helleborus and Papaver. In 2006, a drying period of 24 hours decreased the percentage of survival in most species, and in some species the decrease in survival was associated with desiccation and mold incidence.
Authors
O. Baltazar-Bernal, W.B. Miller, P. Van Dalfsen, H. Gude
Keywords
vigor, survival, packing, pre-plant soak, desiccation, mold incidence
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