Growing Green Ash and Red Oak in CuCO3-treated Containers Increases Root Regeneration and Shoot Growth Following Transplant

Abstract

Abstract Control of green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) and red oak (Quercus rubra L.) root growth in containers treated with CuCO3 and its effects on root regeneration following transplant were studied. Root elongation was controlled by applying 100 g CuCO3/liter of flat-white exterior acrylic latex paint to the interior surfaces of plastic containers. Plants grown in CuCO3-treated containers did not require root-pruning, whereas root-pruning was required to correct root deformations of plants grown in untreated containers. Root pruning removed up to 37% of root dry weight. When plants grown in CuCO3-treated containers were transplanted to 45.6-liter containers, root dry weight beyond the original root ball was greater than that of root-pruned seedlings transplanted from untreated containers. Seedlings transplanted from CuCO3-treated containers to field plots in July, August, or September showed enhanced shoot growth for two growing seasons compared with root-pruned control seedlings. Seedlings transplanted from CuCO3-treated containers appeared to suffer less stress than root-pruned control seedlings transplanted on the same date. Green ash seedlings transplanted in July had greater shoot growth than those transplanted in August and September over two growing seasons.