Root trainer

Abstract: The experiment was conducted on fourteen-year old litchi trees. Layers were treated with three levels of IBA i.e. 0, 500 and 1000 ppm. Rooted layers were planted after 60 days of layering in four types of containers viz., polythene bags, root trainer, nursery bed and plastic pot. Shoot and root growth and survival were recorded after seven months of planting of root layers. IBA at 1000 ppm significantly increased plant height, 1st, 2nd and 3rd order roots/layer, length of longest root, mean root length, mean root thickness, diameter of 1st order root, fresh weight of roots/layer and survival of layers. However, all the concentrations of IBA failed to exert any significant effect on diameter of stem, number of leaves/layer, leaf area and dry weight of roots/layer. Similarly, layers plants in root trainer significantly improved shoots and root characters and survival of layers. Maximum values on various shoot and root parameters and survival were noted in 1000 ppm IBA and root trainer treatment combination.

Abstract: Comparative growth of Albizia procera seedlings grown in polybag, nursery bed and root trainers was investigated with an aim to select suitable container for quality seedlings for large scale plantation programs. Seed germination and seedling growth were assessed for shoot length, root length, collar diameter, fresh weight, dry matter production, leaf number and number of nodules of the seedlings. Vigor index, quality index, imbibition period, energy period and root shoot ratio were also calculated for each treatment. Germination percentage was found better in nursery bed. Seedlings raised in polybags of 23 x 15 cm size revealed best performance in respect to germination and other growth parameters. However, root-shoot ratio was higher in root trainer in comparison to other treatments. Polybag size of 23 x 15 cm was found suitable in the nursery for quality seedling production of Albizia procera.

Abstract: Experiments were conducted to standardize appropriate potting medium for raising Dalbergia sissoo seedlings under root trainer seedling production system. In two different experiments , two kinds of potting media were tried , one with various combinations of sand , soil and compost and the other with charcoal , rice husk and compost. A multivariate approach was adopted considering the seedling quality parameters i.e. sturdiness , root shoot ratio , ratio of fibrous/total root biomass , Dickson quality index , and root surface area , apart from the various growth and biomass traits of 3 month nursery growth. Dalbergia sissoo being a versatile and primary coloniser in riverine concession , came up very well in sand and compost combination (20% sand + 80% compost). However , it also performed well in other combinations of sand , soil and compost in the ratio of 1:1:3 ,1:0:4 and pure compost alone. In respect to the organic ingredients , combinations of charcoal , compost and rice husk in the ratio of 1:3:1 and 1:4:0 appeared satisfactory. Comparing the performance of both the types of potting media , it came to the notice that the sand , soil and compost combinations are fairly better for raising D. sissoo than the charcoal , rice husk and compost. The seedlings achieved significantly better growth , biomass and quality parameters when raised in sand , soil and compost than when raised in the potting mixture containing charcoal and rice husk. For the species like Dalbergia sissoo which is known to be a species of sandy alluvium soil , the ingredients like sand , soil and compost should be encouraged in the potting medium for raising in nursery.

Abstract: The present study was conducted taking quality seeds of selected plus trees of Jatropha carcus in six different size of root-trainers, viz., T1 (90cc), T2 (150cc), T3 (200cc), T4 (250cc), T5 (300cc), and T6 (600cc), each root-trainer size was treated as a separate treatment and each treatment replicated four times. Each replication had 10 seedlings of 3-leaf stage in uniform potting media. At the end of three months, four seedlings were selected randomly for measurement of growth parameters and biomass studies. Total seedling height, collar diameter, shoot biomass, root biomass, tap root length and number of lateral roots were recorded. Sturdiness quotient, shoot root ratio and seedling quality index were calculated. The results of the present study show that root-trainer size had significant effect for all growth parameters. Treatment average difference for all growth parameters except number of leaves, which was maximum in T4 and minimum in T1 observed. The sturdiness and seedling quality have direct and positive relationship with root-trainer size.