A mechanical rootwasher

Abstract

A mechanical rootwasher which employs soft spraying, rotation and rinsing of the soil cores in screen canisters is described. The instrument was developed and built at the University of Colorado, Fort Collins, U.S.A. and subjected to numerous test trials. This technique compared favourably with the hand wash technique since it is roughly 50% faster and 30% more effective.

Uittreksel

‘n Meganiese wortelafskeier word kortliks beskryf Die instrument maak van verskillende beginsels, soos o.a. sproeibenatting en rotasie deur ‘n waterbad gebruik om die grond monsters op te breek sodat die wortelinhoud ver‐kry kan word. Die instrument is aan die Universiteit van Fort Collins, Colorado, V.S.A. ontwerp en gebou. Dit is aan intensiewe vergelykende toetse onderwerp. Daar is vasgestel dat hierdie metode ongeveer 50% vinniger as die gewone hand‐was‐metode is en dat dit gemiddeld ook 30% meer wortelmateriaal lewer.

Notes

The instrument was developed and built by the author at the University of Colorado, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A. during 1970–71, while participating in the U.S.A. I.B.P. Grassland Biome Studies.