Critical Effects of Fertility on Root and Shoot Growth of Selected Landscape Plants

Abstract

In the transition from a production nursery to the landscape, the percentage survival of woody trees and shrubs is sometimes small due to limited root growth. It is important to nurserymen and arboriculturists that proper fertility programs be determined that will maintain a proper balance in growth between shoots and roots. Studies with Cotoneaster divaricata showed that root growth was not increased by N addition up to 500 mg/l of soil mix. High N levels actually had negative effects on root growth, whereas P slightly stimulated growth. Mycorrhizal inoculation of Liriodendron tulipifera did not promote root or shoot growth without application of fertilizer.