The objective of this study was to examine the effect of root pruning intensity in combination with different initial seedling size on the growth of transplanting seedlings of Quercus acutissima. One-year-old seedlings were divided into three groups depending on their height, i.e. small (< 15 cm), medium (25-35 cm) and large size (35 cm <). Root of seedlings was pruned by three intensity such as, leaving 5 cm (severe), 10 cm (medium) and 15 cm (light) of taproot from the root-collar. After one year, we investigated survival rate, height and root-collar diameter (RCD) increment and final shoot dry weight. Also we measured characteristics of newly developed lateral roots such as number, total length, dry weight and diameter. Severe root pruning showed the lowest survival rate in all seedling size. Height increment, RCD increment and shoot dry weight were decreased with increasing intensity of root pruning. Seedlings of medium and light root pruning showed similar above-ground growth and dry weight of lateral roots. More large seedlings showed good survival rate,height increment and final shoot dry mass in all root pruning intensity. Therefore, one-year-old seedlings of Q. acutissima should be pruned taproot by 10 cm and transplanted to obtain excellent performance and increase the efficiency of transplanting work. Based on the findings of this study, it is important that applying to different root pruning intensity depending on initial seedling size for producing 2-year-old seedlings with excellent growth and high quality.
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Literature Cited