The purpose of this study was to evaluate the root system distribution of three-year-old black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) trees. The plants were originated from seedlings grown in different containers and planted in an Argisol in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The containers used for seedling production were: wood laminated pots, round plastic tubettes and styrofoam trays. The evaluations were carried out using the trench profile method up to 1 m depth on tree rows and inter-rows. The following soil analyses were also carried out: bulk density, total porosity and pore distribution. The type of container used influenced the development of the root system of trees on the field. Wood laminated pots were better than the round tubettes for root length in the tree rows. The roots developed better on the tree rows where soil density and porosity conditions were more adequate.
Acacia mearnsii; seedlings; root; recipient; soil
