Available Water and Root Development Within the Micropores of Pine Bark Particles
Internal pore space, root development, and available water within pine bark particles were studied. Internal porosity constituted about 43% of a pine bark particle. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that roots of Coleus blumei and Vaccinium ashei were attached to the exterior surface of pine bark particles and had invaded the micropores. Growth of Raphanus sativus seedlings in water-saturated bark pieces demonstrated that internally adsorbed water was utilized provided that root development occurred within the bark particle.
Contributor Notes
Supported by State and Hatch funds allocated to the Georgia Experiment Stations. Paper presented at the “Nursery Crops Working Group Workshop” during the 82nd Annual meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Blacksburg, VA, July 30, 1985.
2Professor of Horticulture.