Effect of Transplanting Practices on Growth and Water Relations of ‘Colt’ Cherry Trees During Reestablishment

Abstract

Dormant pruning, a film antitranspirant, and soil-applied paclobutrazol were evaluated as transplanting treatments in newly transplanted ‘Colt’ cherry trees under irrigated and water-stressed conditions. Under irrigated conditions all three treatments were effective in reducing plant water loss. However, all three treatments resulted in large reductions in mean growth rate, mean relative growth rate, root dry weight, and root surface area. The pruning treatment had no effect on the leaf area:root area ratio whereas the antitranspirant treatment resulted in an increased leaf area:root area ratio, a response considered undesirable. Paclobutrazol decreased the leaf area:root area ratio but also induced abnormal radial enlargement of plant roots. Under water-stressed conditions all three treatments were effective in reducing plant water loss and were successful in delaying plant water stress. Both pruned and antitranspirant treated plants had improved relative growth rates as compared to the controls.