Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

Background. Proper planting should protect the seedling against adverse conditions and allow growth in forest conditions. When planting, regardless of the adopted method, it is most important to correctly position the roots and cover them with soil. The planting technique used is often not conducive to the proper formation of the root system, while it also increases the risk of infection.
Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to compare the arrangement of the root system and the values of selected biometric features of pine in plots regenerated using various techniques.
Material and methods. Collected research material in the form of young trees with roots was subjected to biometric measurements and was assessed for the degree of root deformation and for the degree of Lophodermium infection in pine trees. In addition, the root to shoot ratio was calculated.
Results and conclusions. On plots regenerated using planters, correctly formed roots were found in 25% of the studied population. In the other plots it was 17%. The DRP (degree of root positioning) coefficient took lower values for crops established using a planter compared to manual planting. The degree of Lophodermium infection proved to be relatively high. The best R/S ratios were obtained in plots with the lowest DP
(degree of paralysis) index. The research shows that pine roots during mechanical planting are less deformed.
The disease agent such as Lophodermium spp. could have affected the growth of young trees.