Planting Techniques, Hole Treatments, and Root 

 Fungicides 



The last planting (Royal Gala/M.26) established in 

 1986 studied the effects of planting hole treatments, plant- 

 ing techniques, and post-plant root fungicides. In this 

 experiment half of the trees were planted with a tree 

 planter and half were planted into an 2-foot augered hole. 

 The trees in the auger holes either were planted with the 

 soil that was removed from the hole, good topsoil from 

 another site, a mixture of 1:1 peat-to-topsoil, or a mixture 

 of 2:1 composted manure-to-topsoil. Trees planted with a 

 tree planter were either sprayed in 1986 and 1987 to the 

 drip point with Aliette^^ (at 2 pounds/100 gallons or 4 

 pounds/100 gallons) late spring, mid-summer, and early 

 fall; treated with a soil drench in 1986 and 1987 of 1 quart 

 of Ridomil^^ (at 1 quart/100 gallons) late spring, mid- 

 summer, and early fall; or were not treated with either root 

 fungicide. Tree growth was measured as in the first 

 planting, and data are reported in Table 4. 



In 1986 the most prominent effect was caused by the 

 addition of peat to the planting hole. Peat-treated trees 

 had the largest increase in trunk circumference and the 

 most shoot growth. The addition of composted manure 

 also improved growth but not to the extent of the peat 

 treatment. In 1987 differences in growth rate began to 

 dissipate except for the topsoil treatment. Using good 

 topsoil in the planting hole did not have much effect the 

 first year; however, in 1987 those trees had significantly 

 more shoot growth than the controls. At the end of 1987 

 the largest trees, in terms of trunk circumference, were 

 those planted with good topsoil, those planted with the 

 addition of peat, and those planted with the addition of 



manure. Trees planted in an augered hole seemed to grow 

 better than those planted with a tree planter; however, the 

 differences between the two were not statistically signifi- 

 cant. These results suggest that the use of some type of 

 planting treatment can significantly improve the growth 

 and development of the trees to be planted. However, it 

 may be difficult to apply these types of treatments in some 

 situations, such as when a tree planter is used. Therefore, 

 at times it may be more practical to use surface applica- 

 tions of organic material or the growing of cover crops with 

 subsequent plowing or tilling under to improve the soil. 

 When the soil has been prepared such as this before 

 planting the effects probably will last longer than if only an 

 augered hole is treated. 



The use of root fungicides had only a small effect on 

 tree growth. In 1986 the high level of Aliette and the 

 Ridomil treatment resulted in more trunk growth but no 

 increase in shoot growth. In 1987 no growth differences 

 existed. One could conclude that these root fungicides give 

 little benefit; however, at some sites the pressure of root- 

 attacking fungi may be much greater than at this site at the 

 Horticultural Research Center and the effect may be much 

 greater. 



It is clear from the results of these four experiments 

 that cultural treatments performed at planting or to newly 

 planted trees can have significant effects on tree growth. 

 The importance of early tree growth and the establishment 

 of a fruiting framework suggests that growers should 

 carefully prepare a site before planting, and consider the 

 use of some of these treatments during the planting year. 

 We shall continue to study improvements of tree develop- 

 ment with cultural techniques. 



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