Date of Award

1-1-2000

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Masters of Science (Research)

Department

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

First Advisor

Dr Noel Mulligan

Abstract

The possibility of improving the quality of transplants of ornamental foliage species, Eucalyptus perriniana, E. parvifolia and Pittosporum tenuifolium, for supply to the Kerry Foliage Industry was investigated. At present transplants (seedlings) are propagated from seed under glass and subsequently transplanted into the field. Therefore nursery practices for seed propagation, such as optimum sowing date, pot and medium selection, irrigation and fertilisation regimes, were investigated and optimised. The possibility of eliminating the occurrence of J- roots, a major problem with Eucalyptus species was also investigated. Vegetative propagation methods, such as cutting propagation and in vitro micro-propagation were investigated for comparative purposes and although results are preliminary their potential as alternative propagation methods are discussed. Results indicate that nursery practices for a number of factors are presently at an optimum level, however some factors could be altered to produce superior seedlings. As such some recommendations to growers are outlined to potentially optimise current seed propagation practices. These include sowing at a later date, apically pruning seedlings, using a slow release fertiliser, transplanting seedlings as early as possible and apically pruning transplants on planting. Results indicate that J-rooting is not linked to bad nursery practice and this phenomenon is discussed in detail.

Access Level

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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