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Planting stock specifications in the Shepparton Irrigation Region

LC0131
Environmental Management Group, Tatura
September, 1999

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This Landcare Note describes seedling quality tips and provenances of planting stock in the SIR.

Seedling quality tips

Questions to ask when purchasing new seedlings
  • Does the plant have insect, fungal or mechanical damage?
  • Is the height of the seedling no more than twice the height of the container?
  • Does the plant look hardy and strong?
  • Are the pots/containers weed free?
Root system check
  • Remove plant from pot and examine the root system.
  • Roots should be dense and fibrous with white root tips.
  • Roots should not protrude from the container.
  • There should be no visible coiling or spiralling.
  • The main roots should be straight, without J rooting.
J-rooting
J-rooting is when a kink develops at the base of the stem as a result of poor propagation. The result of poor propagation. The result is a weak tap root, making the plant prone to falling over.

Provenances
A provenance is a place of origin. Plants of local provenance have developed over thousands of years in a specific local environment. These plants will grow best in that area.
One species may have a number of different provenances. For example river red gums show differences within the same species. The Lake Albacutya provenance is used in saline areas because of its salt tolerance.

When revegetating use trees and shrubs of local provenances, ie. use seed that was collected as close as possible to your farm. These are the plants that will grow the best.

When planting farm forestry trees, use provenances recommended by your local Farm Forestry Adviser. These provenances will grow faster, with better form and will be suited to commercial production.

Ask your local nursery about the provenances they supply.

Nurseries
For contact details of suppliers and contractors for the Shepparton Irrigation Region, refer to the local Yellow Pages. Remember: do not accept poor quality plants!

Contacts
Environmental Management Group
NRE - Tatura
Ph. (03) 5833 5222
Produced by the Environmental Management Group of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Tatura.

This note replaces note number TG0036

The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.


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