Effects of Pruning and Bark Ringing on Total Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Crabapple    (View PDF)

Michael A. Schnelle and James E. Klett

Abstract: To assess the effects of pruning and bark ringing (girdling) on total nonstructural carbohydrates, Sargent crabapple {Malus sargentii) seedlings were subjected to six pruning and/or bark ringing treatments as follows: 50% top (stem) pruning, 50% top pruning plus bark ringing (girdling), 50% root pruning, 50% root pruning plus bark ringing, bark ringing alone and controls. All pruning was performed by length (root-stem collar to terminal bud) and the ringing conducted by removal of a 5 mm strip of bark from the root-stem collar. During the 38 day growth period, seedlings were assayed for total nonstructural carbohydrates in the stems, leaves and roots. Roots in bark ringed seedlings were lower in carbohydrates than in non-bark-ringed seedlings.

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https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1992.038