CHEMICAL ROOT-PRUNING PROVES VERSATILE

Root-pruning can be used to prevent root deformities typical of container-grown transplants. A combination of air- and chemical-pruning, using copper as the active component, has been used extensively in commercial practice for both forestry and horticultural transplants.

Copper root-pruning is considered to reduce tree instability after transplanting, eliminates a caged root structure, reduces the incidence of damping-off diseases and improves nursery labour productivity by making seedlings easier to extract from containers.

Chemical root-pruning products have been available, and used commercially, in South Africa since 1981. The first was Styrodip, superceded in 1990 by Plazdip which can be used on expanded polystyrene or plastic surfaces. Plazdip is currently in commercial use in Southern Africa, South America and Australasia.