Application of moisted hydrogel on roots of Nothofagus obliqua (MIRB.) OERST. and Nothofagus dombeyi (MIRB.) OERST. before transplant

Abstract

Hydrogel is a product that can be used to avoid water stress when it is added at the plantation place, but it can also be applied moisturized directly to roots before transplant. The general objective of this work was the evaluation of the humid application of hydrogel on roots of Nothofagus obliqua and Nothofagus dombeyi. Two years old trees of both species were planted on a volcanic ash soil (Valdivia serie). After removing plants from nursery, five intervals for their plantation were waited (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days). For both species and in each plantation interval, a hydrogel treatment was applied, to protect roots from dehydration. There existed also treatments without aplication of theproduct. Hydrogel was applied moisturized, submerging roots in a bucket with a solution of hydrogel. As a consequence of the combination of these variables, 20 treatments were obtained. A three complete randomized blocks design with factorial arrangement, was used. Nothofagus obliqua didn't show differences, neither to plantation intervals nor to hydrogel treatment, in each one of evaluated parameters. Nothofagus dombeyi was affected in parameter basal diameter of plant, plant height and plant weight in the latest plantation moments. Also, in treatments with hydrogel, there were obtained bigger values than in those were product was not used; the survival of plants was only affected in the last plantation moment. Results possibly reflect the quality of this last specie of being perennifolia, since it doesn't enter in complete state of vegetative recess at the beginning of this study.