Location: Application Technology Research
Project Number: 5082-30500-001-089-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026
End Date: Aug 31, 2027
Objective:
Develop actionable and adoptable methods towards augmenting container-grown roots.
Approach:
We will explore leveraging agrochemicals, like phytohormones, biostimulants, and fertilizers to accelerate lateral root development of nursery and greenhouse plants. We will investigate using different forms of management practices such as irrigation, soilless substrates, container types, and root pruning methods and evaluate root development over time. We will quantify root health by measuring root morphological development, including total root system length (as an indication of root vigor and container volume explored), root system surface area, volume, and average diameter root (to represent absorptive capacity), fine vs coarse root development (absorption vs transport efficiency, respectively), and root tip count and network area (to identify branching and lateral root development efficiency). We will measure root egress post-root pruning to quantify the influence management practices have on root establishment. We will measure root architecture (spreading angel and branching patterns) to quantify and qualify root establishment.