Root Growth Potential and the Target Seedling
The review focuses on several key points regarding the conduct and interpretation of Root Growth Potential tests I n forest regeneration. Key points are 1) RGP is developed in the nursery and is expressed after planting; 2) RGP can be accurately assessed in as little as seven days in several species; 3) RGP is a very good indicator of seedling quail- ty but only a fair predictor of survival; 4) survival predic- tion is only fair because RGP indicates plant quality, not site quality or planting quality; 5) RGP can indicate when seedlings possess high stress resistance or when seedlings are damaged; 6) RGP seasonal periodicity seems to be modulated internally by (a) the intensity of shoot dorman- cy and (b) the strength of the carbon sink in the growing shoot; and 7) despite problems associated with lack of accuracy and precision and often unrealistic expectations, RGP testing remains a valuable tool for assessing quality of planting stock.
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Author(s): Gary A. Ritchie, Yasuomi Tanaka
Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 1990
Event:
Combined Meeting of the Western Forest Nursery Associations
1990 - Roseburg, OR
