SUGAR FEEDING ENHANCES ROOT VIGOR OF YOUNG TREES FOLLOWING CONTAINERIZATION    (View PDF)

Glynn C. Percival

Abstract: The influence of sugar (sucrose) applied as a root drench at 25, 50, or 70 g (0.9, 1.8, or 2.7 oz) per liter of water on root and shoot vigor, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic rates, and chlorophyll content in silver birch (Betula pendula), red oak (Quercus rubra), cherry, (Prunus avium), and rowan, (Sorbus aucuparia) was investigated. In silver birch, cherry, and red oak, applications of sugar £ 50 g (1.8 oz) per liter of water significantly enhanced root vigor (root length, number of new roots formed, root dry weight) by week 12. Applications of sugar at 70 g (2.7 oz) per liter of water had no significant effect on root vigor except in silver birch where root dry weight at the cessation of the experiment was significantly improved. Irrespective of species, no significant effects on tree vitality as measured by leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic rates, and chlorophyll concentrations were recorded. Effects on shoot growth were variable with a significant enhancement recorded in some, but not all, of the test species. Results indicate application of sugars as a soil drench may be able to aid in the establishment of newly planted trees by improving root vigor post transplanting.

Keywords: Urban trees; carbohydrates; resource allocation; gene expression; transplant shock; Betula pendula; Quercus rubra; Prunus avium; Sorbus aucuparia.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2004.043