Effect of desiccation on the root system of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seedlings and a possibility of using hydrogel STOCKOSORB® for its protection

Abstract

The aims of this study were: 1. to determine the effect of desiccation treatment on the physiological quality of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seedlings by measurements of electrolyte leakage from the root system; b) to test the use of hydrogel STOCKOSORB® for protection of the root system of spruce seedlings during their transplanting. The results showed that desiccation treatment significantly affected the rate of electrolyte leakage (34% leakage for control seedlings and 53% in contrast with seedlings after 5 hours of desiccation). Likewise, significant differences were found in height and root collar increments after the first vegetation period that decreased with the duration of desiccation treatment The values of electrolyte leakage also increased with the duration of desiccation treatment for seedlings treated with hydrogel. On the other hand, the rate of electrolyte leakage was lower after 5 hours of stress factor than in untreated seedlings. The height and root collar increments were higher in seedlings treated with hydrogel for all variants. The obtained results showed a possibility of using the measurement of electrolyte leakage from the root system to determine the physiological quality of Norway spruce seedlings. The rate of electrolyte leakage over 40% signals the physiological damage to the root system of spruce seedlings. Next, the results confirmed the need of protection of seedling roots during handling. The seedlings without hydrogel had 35% height and 26% root collar diameter increment after two-hour desiccation stress. On the other hand, the same seedlings with STOCKOSORB had 42% height and 48% root collar increment.