104 Schaffert and Percival: Influence of Biochar, Slow-Release Molasses, and an Organic N:P:K Fertilizer poses. Prior to planting, researchers pruned each tree to create a uniform root:shoot ratio of 0:33—a ratio associated with transplant stress (Aldhous and Mason 1994). Twenty-liter planting pits were excavated at the trial site located at University of Reading Shinfield Experimental Field Site, Cutbush Lane, Reading, Berkshire, UK (N51°43, W-1°08). The pruned stock was then planted directly into each pit and existing soil was combined with one or combinations of the following amendments: Molasses pellets—crude protein (10%), oil (1%), digestible fiber (32%), starch (1%), sugar (20%); Trident Feeds 64 Innovation Way, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Takesumi Ltd. biochar—100% crushed pyro- lysed bamboo biochar; Barrettine Group, St. Ivel Way, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 Group, St. Ivel Way, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 8TY UK. Treatments were applied as follows: i) molasses [K2 pellets, ii) biochar, iii) BOOST Organic individu- ally applied at 5% by soil volume (e.g., 1:19 ratio), iv) molasses (2.5% by volume) + biochar (2.5% by volume), v) BOOST Organic (2.5% by vol- ume) + biochar (2.5% by volume), vi) molasses (2.5% by volume) + BOOST Organic (2.5% by volume), vii) BOOST Organic (1.7% by volume) + biochar (1.7% by volume) + molasses (1.7% by volume), viii) non-amended soil (controls). A randomized complete block was used in the experimental design. Ten single-tree replications were used per treatment, giving a total of 80 obser- vations per response variable. Treatments were applied only once at the time of planting and not repeated throughout the experimental period. Five percent by soil volume was selected as a plant- ing treatment based on the results of Zwart and Kim (2012) and Percival et al. (2004). The soil at the time of planting was a sandy loam containing 4%–6% organic matter with a pH of 6.4 and avail- able P, K, Mg, Na, and Ca were 50.0, 667.5, 182.3, 46.1 and 2,099 mg L, respectively. Weeds were controlled chemically using glyphosate prior to planting (Roundup; Green-Tech, Sweethills Park, Nun Monkton, York, UK) and by hand during the trial. No irrigation was required. Height from the base of the trunk to the top of canopy was Equation 01 ©2016 International Society of Arboriculture O (3%)], pH 6.5, organic matter (62%); Barrettine O5 8TY UK. BOOST Organic—organic nitrogen (9%), phos- phorus pentoxide [P2 (6%)], potassium oxide recorded at the time of experimental setup. Trees were planted on 22 February 2010 with ten trees per treatment. Treatment effects on growth, fruit yield, and vitality were monitored over two years, with measurements taken on 05 October 2011 and 30 September 2012 (i.e., toward the end of the two growing seasons). It is the general consensus of many researchers that results indicate that the first two years aſter transplanting are the most criti- cal for survival (Gilbertson and Bradshaw 1990; Hitchmough 1994; Johnston and Rushton 1999). Tree Growth and Fruit Yield Survival was based on leaf flush and branch exten- sion growth during the growing season. If no leaf flush and growth (branch extension) occurred, the tree was classified as dead. In support of this mor- tality classification, gently removing the periph- eral epidermal layer on each side of the terminal branch with a scalpel revealed brown (rather than green viable) peridermal tissue (Jiang et al. 1999). Five live shoots were randomly selected throughout the crown to record stem extension measurements using a Precision Value Line Digitronic Caliper 110 Series (0–200mm; Moore and Wright Europe, Bowers Metrology, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK), precise to the nearest 10 micrometers. Mean fruit yield was quantified by weighing all fruit on each tree at harvest and dividing by the number of trees per treatment. Crown volume (Cv) was estimated from the crown width (D) and crown depth (L) us- ing the paraboloid form of the crown (Kupka 2007). [1] Cv = ∏ D2 L 8 Tree Vitality Five leaves selected randomly throughout the crown per tree were analyzed for chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content measure- ments. Leaves were then tagged to ensure that only the same leaf was measured throughout. Chlorophyll Fluorescence Leaves were adapted to darkness for 30 minutes by attaching light-exclusion clips to the leaf sur- face, and chlorophyll fluorescence was then mea-
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