A CONTAINERIZED TECHNIQUE FOR STUDYING ROOT SYSTEMS

Quantifying root responses of naturally growing range plants to treatm ents is difficult. The objective of this study was to develop a contai nerized technique to study individual plants growing in the field unde r near natural environmental conditions. Three containers were evaluat ed: 15 X 100 cm nylon (2,000 pores/cm2) sacks, 15 X 100 cm polyvinyl c hloride (PVC) tubes, and 30 X 100 cm PVC tubes. The 15 X 100 cm PVC tu bes were easiest to handle, and plants grown in these containers appea red similar in size and growth form to adjacent, undisturbed plants. S urvival rate for 165 sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii Hack.) plants gr own for 2 years in the 15 X 100 cm PVC tubes was 98.8%. This survival rate was achieved despite clipping treatments during the second year.