Standardization of Proper Volume/size and Type of Root Trainer for Raising <I>Acacia nilotica</I> Seedlings: Nursery Evaluation and Field Trial

Abstract

Root trainers are increasingly being used to deal with the problem of root coiling in polybag grown seedlings. However, the technology has not been standardized for most of the tropical tree species. In a multivariate investigation involving 5 type of root trainers namely Hiko pots 90 cc, 150 cc, 300 cc, Book type 200 cc, and Single cell bullet type 290 cc, growth performance of Acacia nilotica seedlings was assessed on the basis of seedling quality parameters. The performance of the seedlings was also assessed in the field for two years.The seedlings raised in 300 cc Hiko pots performed the best in nursery as well as in the field. However, the performance of Hiko tray 150 cc cell volume and Single cell 290 cc appeared statistically equal with the Hiko tray 300 cc cell volume after two years field performance of seedlings. The results are indicative that, though Hiko trays 300 cc cell volume is the best size and type of root trainer for A. nilotica, however, when there is a space constraint in nursery and the objective is to raise more number of seedlings per unit area of the nursery space, the Hiko tray 150 cc volume is equally good.