Effects of Root Pruning on Cucumber Seedling Growth

Abstract

Plant growth regulator as chemical stopper application which is the most common practice in nurseries is practical in order to regulate height control and development on seedlings. However, the problems experienced after application of chemicals and the fact that the application is not organic brought up alternative control methods. This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of different types of root pruning and chemical regulator application on cucumber (cv. Murat F1) seedling quality. Cucumber seeds were sown on 25.07.2017 in peat (vermiculite was used as only the cover) in styrofoam tray with 128 holes at a commercial seedling company under polyethylene covered greenhouse. After the germination room, seedlings were put in the seedling adaptation greenhouse and growth there until transplanting. When the seedlings reached 1-2 true leaves, applications were performed. In the experiment (1) 1/3 of the root was pruned from bottom, (2) 1/3 of root was pruned from side and they were compared with (3) the chemical regulator with paclobutrazol active ingredient (Cultar, Sygenta) which used very common by commercial seedling companies. Seedlings with (4) no application were tested as control. For each treatment, 3 styrofoam trays were used, and each tray was considered as 1 repetition. 16 days after the seed sowing, when seedlings were ready for transplanting stem and root length, leaf numbers, stem diameter, leaf color, fresh and dry weight of root and shot were measured. Obtained results show that the number of leaves, L, a*/b* and h° values did not changed with treatments, however, compared with chemical regulator, root pruning decreased root length, stem diameter, root and shoot fresh and dry weights. Chemical regulator application thickened the stem and increased plant biomass. It can be concluded that root pruning can be an alternative to the use of chemical regulator, the root pruning from side part can be used as a regulator because it creates a lower seedling biomass but the root pruning from bottom can be used because of its ease of application.

Keywords: Cucumis sativus, Plant Growth Regulator, Paclobutrazol, Root Pruning.

DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/5-5-05