Tree extension expert from A.M.A. and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre visited Niagara College and Guelph University in November to meet the next generation of top gardening talent and talk about the scientific discipline of healthy root .
More than 100 horticulture students from Niagara College ’s School of Environment and Horticulture Programs and the University of Guelph ’s Department of Plant Agriculture had the chance to learn about RootSmart , an advanced generation tray educate by Vineland and market by A.M.A.
Students and researcher at both instauration have been comport trials compare trees grown in the RootSmart tray with trees grown in other multiplication tray . At Niagara College , second - year Horticulture student are using RootSmart to determine the optimum propagation method for oak seedlings .
“ We are testing three watering method and two program rate of a hold - release fertilizer product , ” says Mary Jane Clark , Professor of Horticulture at Niagara College . “ The end is to grow the oak trees until they are quick to be transplanted back into the Chautauqua community in Niagara - on - the - Lake as an urban reforestation labor . ”
The outcome of the students ’ RootSmart trials extend to be overwhelmingly positive .
“ It is a delight using the RootSmart propagation tray . It upgrade quality root system that will ensure the oak tree seedlings become healthy , long - lived tree when they are transplant out into the community , ” say Clark .
RootSmart ’s rampart - less , bottomless pattern promotes a sizeable root word distribution and helps to prevent the common and pricey problem of origin defects like circling , diving , ascending or kinked solution . Defects often happen when roots come into striking with the walls of a growing container or tray , rerouting growth in an unnatural direction .
“ Root defects often start at the early stages of tree propagation and can be challenging to correct down the line , ” say Jason Henry , Senior Research Technician at Vineland , who spoke with the scholarly person about rootage direction in nursery production . “ We realized that propagator are bet for a tray that promote quality root word systems from the start . RootSmart does that . ”
A.M.A. ’s Craig Willett and Rick Bradt also speak with the educatee about their experience working with Vineland to commercialize RootSmart .
“ Tree propagators are thirsty for proven introduction that will meliorate timbre and reduce cost , but most of the science never makes it to market , ” says Craig Willett , A.M.A. ’s resident tree expert and sales congresswoman for RootSmart and Ellepots by A.M.A.TM . “ The horticulture students we met with really understood this challenge , and it was exciting to hear them verbalise about RootSmart as an industry success story . ”
After their presentation , the students take the A.M.A. and Vineland guests on a circuit , showcasing their RootSmart trials and some of the other instauration afoot , including tissue polish research .
“ At A.M.A. , we are majestic to deliver innovative solutions to our customers . But if we want to continue driving innovation in our manufacture , we have to make indisputable we ’re connecting with the next contemporaries of growers , ” say Rick Bradt , Managing Director of A.M.A. “ Their ebullience and imagination for our industry is inspiring , and we are excited to see what horticulture will look like in the next five to ten years . ”
con more about the research behind RootSmart atwww.rootsmart.com .
For more info : A.M.A. Horticulture2011 Spinks DriveKingsville , ON N9Y 2E5CanadaT : 519 - 322 - 1397 or 800 - 338 - 1136F : 519 - 322 - 1358[email protected]www.amahort.com
