To the Root of the Matter

Horticulture technologists at CAFRE, Greenmount Campus have demonstrated that plant growth can be accelerated if their roots are air-pruned. Air-pruning is achieved by growing seeds or plant cuttings in specialised containers which will allow air to prune the roots as they emerge from these containers. When roots are air-pruned, more new active roots are produced enabling a greater uptake of nutrients resulting in rapid plant growth. Ornamental plants species produced using the air pruning technique can reach their marketable stage in half the time taken using conventional method.

Various techniques of air root pruning were demonstrated recently to local growers at CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise), Greenmount Campus. These techniques can be adapted to suit various growing systems practiced by the growers in Northern Ireland. As a result, a number of growers are now evaluating the techniques in their nurseries to reduce production time and produce quality plants with the best returns.

For further information please contact Teresa Maguire tel 028 9442 6694, or email teresa.maguire@dardni.gov.uk

Teresa Maguire (Horticulture Technologist, CAFRE, Greenmount Campus) showing Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica) using conventional method (left) and air-pruned method (right).