Effect of Soil Moisture Level On Root and Shoot Growth of Ligustrum Japonicum and Their Relationship to Free Amino Acid to Nonstructural Carbohydrate Ratios

Ligustrum japonicum grown in 11.0 L containers were transplanted into elevated cross-shaped rhizotrons using a commercial container substrate.  After a short acclimatization phase, plants were subjected to two constant moisture levels, 30 and 70% of drained saturated capacity. Substrate moisture levels were maintained using capacitance probes for four months after transplanting.  Capacitance probes were relocated approximately every three weeks to the edge of the actively growing root tips.  Both root and shoot tips were sampled periodically for free amino acids and total nonstructural carbohydrates. The effect of soil moisture levels on root and shoot growth will be reported.  Changes in the free amino acid to nonstructural carbohydrate ratios will be discussed in relationship to episodes of root and shoot growth.