   Vitamin B-1 and Root Stimulators - March 26, 2008 Jeff Schalau, Associate Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County As a faculty member of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, it is my job to deliver science-based information to the clientele in my area of responsibility: Yavapai County, Arizona. When asked horticultural questions, I research the topic using reliable sources such as peer-reviewed journals, leading scientists and academic reference books to provide the best possible information available. One question I am often asked is if vitamin B-1 and root stimulator products actually help nursery-grown plants become established when transplanted into native soil. Application of vitamin B-1 (thiamine) to root systems of whole plants does not stimulate root growth. This myth arose from early work on plant growth regulators, called auxins, which were mixed with vitamin B-1. Further research throughout the last half of the 20th century investigating the application of auxins to root systems suggested that auxins may stimulate root growth, but that vitamin B-1 on its own does not. Delving deeper into manufacturer claims, many rely on early research (late 1930s and early 1940s) which has been refuted by subsequent research and/or research done on plant roots excised from the mother plant or grown in artificial media (without soil). Various studies using both woody plants and annual flowers and crops failed to demonstrate that vitamin B1 treatments provide any subsequent growth response. Conversely, vitamin B-1 (thiamine) is an important component of tissue culture media where plant tissues are propagated using sterile conditions and artificial growth media. “Miracle growth” claims used by companies selling vitamin B-1 are usually taken from tissue culture research. Healthy plants manufacture their own vitamin B-1 making it unnecessary to add any additional amounts. Many fungi and bacteria associated with plant roots also produce vitamin B-1, so it’s likely that healthy soils will contain adequate levels of this vitamin without amendment. Some products are marketed as root stimulators. While these products often list vitamin B-1 as an ingredient, they may also contain auxins and/or fertilizers. Common auxins are indole butyric acid (IBA) and naphthylacetic acid (NAA). These are common ingredients in “rooting compounds” sold by retail garden and horticultural suppliers and are excellent for propagating cuttings. IBA has had some success in root regeneration in transplanted trees and some evidence indicates that it may redirect resources to the roots by suppressing crown growth. NAA tends to be toxic to seedling root development, as it inhibits primary root growth and enhances lateral root growth. This latter activity may account for NAA’s success in regenerating roots of transplanted and root-pruned trees. Like IBA, NAA apparently suppresses crown growth, which also may redirect resources to the roots. Lateral root growth following transplanting is fine as long as the new roots continue to expand into the native soil surrounding the original rootball. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are also commonly applied at planting (or prior) when growing vegetables and annual flowers. Fertilizers can have negative impacts on beneficial soil microorganisms such as mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, and protozoa. These microorganisms are present in native soils and support other beneficial soil-dwelling macro-organisms which make up the soil food webs. For this and other reasons, fertilizer application at the time of planting is generally not recommended by the University of Arizona for woody or native landscape plants. Proper irrigation has been shown to help plant root systems become established successfully in our arid climate. That’s right, plain old water is often the most important factor in transplant success. To this end, make sure that applied irrigation not only saturates the root ball, but also some of the adjacent native soil. This will encourage new roots to expand and colonize a greater soil volume and hence help the plant to be better able to utilize available soil nutrients and natural precipitation. It is fairly easy to find testimonials for vitamin B-1, root stimulators, and other garden products. It is more difficult to find published studies on the efficacy of these materials. I encourage gardeners to carefully scrutinize anecdotal claims and seek out science-based information. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at cottonwoodmg@yahoo.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |