October 24, 2016
This new tray will be distributed in Canada and the U.S. next spring.
Propagation trays designed to increase tree health and growth
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is revolutionizing propagation systems for the nursery sector through a tray design supporting superior tree root growth.
There is an increasing demand for container tree seedling production (plug trays) in North America and a greater focus on higher quality root architecture. Many current propagation tray designs lead to root malformation, making seedlings less robust after transplantation and increasing tree mortality.
“We’ve been studying this problem since 2014 and have found containers with the largest cell volume and the highest degree of exposure to air resulted in superior results,” said Dr. Darby McGrath, Research Scientist, Nursery and Landscape, Vineland. “In collaboration with Kingsville-based A.M.A. Plastics, we’re developing a woody perennial air-pruning propagation tray that maximizes tree growth and limits root defects.”
“We are excited to partner with Vineland on this innovation. The propagation trays fit well with our strategic mandate and will help us increase our competitive edge,” said Rick Bradt, Managing Director, A.M.A.
The new tray is designed for use in conjunction with the Ellepot system, a transplantable growing medium which A.M.A. produces for North American growers. The design of the tray, for which a patent protection is pending, allows the substrate to remain essentially free floating, maximizing air flow to the root system and promoting ideal root architecture while improving overall tree performance in later stages of growth.
There is an increasing demand for container tree seedling production (plug trays) in North America and a greater focus on higher quality root architecture. Many current propagation tray designs lead to root malformation, making seedlings less robust after transplantation and increasing tree mortality.
“We’ve been studying this problem since 2014 and have found containers with the largest cell volume and the highest degree of exposure to air resulted in superior results,” said Dr. Darby McGrath, Research Scientist, Nursery and Landscape, Vineland. “In collaboration with Kingsville-based A.M.A. Plastics, we’re developing a woody perennial air-pruning propagation tray that maximizes tree growth and limits root defects.”
“We are excited to partner with Vineland on this innovation. The propagation trays fit well with our strategic mandate and will help us increase our competitive edge,” said Rick Bradt, Managing Director, A.M.A.
The new tray is designed for use in conjunction with the Ellepot system, a transplantable growing medium which A.M.A. produces for North American growers. The design of the tray, for which a patent protection is pending, allows the substrate to remain essentially free floating, maximizing air flow to the root system and promoting ideal root architecture while improving overall tree performance in later stages of growth.