Arid Zone Research ›› 2022, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (1): 230-239.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2022.01.22

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Effects of root cutting and IBA treatment on the root quality and growth of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus seedlings

WANG Jingjing(),YAN Haibing,WANG Zixuan,XIE Tiantian,YANG Xiuqing()   

  1. College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China
  • Received:2021-06-25 Revised:2021-09-11 Online:2022-01-15 Published:2022-01-24
  • Contact: Xiuqing YANG E-mail:wjj19214@163.com;xiuqingyang@sxau.edu.cn

Abstract:

To solve the technical problems associated with forestry of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, i.e., the long main root, few capillaries, difficult rooting, and low transplantation survival rate, we conducted root cuttings at different intensities and added different concentrations of IBA to A. mongolicus seedlings with different degrees of growth development. The effects of different treatment combinations on root morphology, root quality, and seedling growth were then measured and analyzed after root culture. This investigation was aimed at identifying the key measures for promoting the root survival of A. mongolicus seedlings and thereby providing a knowledge base for cultivating A. mongolicus seedlings and developing afforestation techniques. The results were as follows. (1) Root cutting promoted the occurrence of multimain roots in A. mongolicus, as well as an increase in the lateral roots, total roots, aboveground and underground biomass, root-shoot ratio, root activity, and root cation exchange capacity (CEC). Among the treatments, the 0.5-cm root tip treatment (F2) significantly promoted an increase in lateral root number, root tip number, branch number, seedling quality index, and root activity when the root length reached 1.5-2.0 cm. Root activity reached a peak value with the root cutting treatment (137.70% higher than the value in the control). Root CEC was maximal when root length reached 4.5-6.0 cm. (2) The effect of hormones on promoting root and seedling growth was further improved after root cutting. The root morphological index (except the average root length) and root CEC were significantly increased after 1.5-2.0 cm long roots were treated with 0.5 cm cutting + 0.075 mg·L -1 IBA/0.125 mg·L-1 IBA (P3 and P4 treatments, respectively). Seedling fresh weight, root dry-weight, root-shoot ratio, seedling quality index, and root activity were highest under the P4 treatment. Compared with the control, the content of soluble sugar and NSC in roots under P3 treatment was significantly increased by 26.04% and 29.07%, respectively. Additionally, the content of soluble protein in roots reached its peak under the P4 treatment (13.27 mg·g-1). Proper root cutting and the addition of IBA can promote root absorption and nutrient storage of A. mongolicus by altering root morphology and improving root activity, which in turn improves root quality and the growth potential of seedlings.

Key words: Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, cutting roots, hormone treatment, root morphology, root activity, seedling growth