Root activity in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.)
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Date
2003
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Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
All investigation was undertaken during 1999-2001 in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, VelIanikkara, Thrissur to study the root activity in pineapple. The main objective was to know the most active root zone of pineapple and also to study the uptake of 32p by pineapple grown under different systems of planting. The root activity of pineapple varieties Kew and Mauritius grown in trenches and on surface was studied employing :l2p soil injection technique. Activity was applied at varying lateral distances and depth of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm. The uptake and sharing of 32p by Kew and Mauritius grown under high density and 10\v density system of planting, in trenches and on surface was also evaluated.
The results revealed that the most' active root zone of pineapple irrespective of variety and method of planting was LID! (15 cm lateral distance and 15 cm depth) in 32p absorption. The least active root zone was L4D4 (60 ern 'lateral distance and 60 cm depth). When lateral distance alone was considered irrespective of depth, variety and method of planting, the highest absorption of 32p was obtained from 15 cm distance at all sampling intervals. Depth also showed the same trend. There was no significant difference between the two varieties Kew and Mauritius and also between the two methods of planting (surface and trench method). When the percentage distribution of active roots of pineapple irrespective of variety and method of planting was observed it was seen that about 45.9 per cent of the root activity was concentrated in a soil zone constituting 15 cm lateral distance and 15 cm depth which was the active root zone. The least active root zone (L;D4) contributed only 0.49 per cent of the active roots. When lateral distance alone was considered, a lateral distance of 15 cm accommodated G 1.38 per cent of the active roots followed by 30 cm and the least from 60 cm lateral distance (3.16%). When depth was considered 73.2 per cent of the root activity was seen at the surfacel 5 ern soil layer followed by 30 cm
The soil zone within 30 cm of lateral distance and 30 cm depth accommodate 80 per cent of the active roots.
The root excavation studies revealed that Mauritius grown under surface method produced more number of roots. Regarding length an average of 24 cm was not iced When fresh weight and dry weight were observed Mauritius grown under surface method produced the highest value. The plant height and leaf number were not influenced by variety and planting method However trench method of planting produced more number or leaves than surface method. Significant difference was noticed between the two varieties when the flowering characters were taken into consideration.
The studies carried out to know the uptake or :l2p by the treated and surrounding plants revealed that there was no significant difference between the two varieties Kew and Mauritius when the uptake by the treated plant was considered. Planting densities also did not show any significant difference. However regarding the method of planting, trench planting was found to be significantly superior to surface planting in theabsorption 0(l2p. Under high density and low density system of planting, Mauritius grown under trench planting recorded highest absorption of32p by the treated plant. It was also found that the applied activity was absorbed not only by the treated plant but also by the contact and neighbouring plants, which indicated the sharing of activity by the surrounding non treated plants. But the absorption by the treated plant was found to be more followed by the contact plants irrespective of variety, planting method and density of planting system.
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