Effects of Root Pruning on Adventitious Root Formation, Enzyme Activities, and Hormone Levels in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Fengdanbai’ Seedlings

Root pruning during early root development can optimize the structure of woody plants. To determine effects on tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), seedlings cultivar ‘Fengdanbai’ were subjected to varying degrees or different styles pruning. Various indexes analyzed, including anatomical root, vitality, activity levels antioxidant enzymes, and contents endogenous hormones their ratios. Comprehensive morphological observation showed that freshly germinated roots are 3 cm long by 1/3 (i.e., removing 1 cm) yielded greatest rooting rate (90%), lateral initiation (2.34 per seedling), subsequent growth. Analysis physiological biochemical indicators critical period (3-5 days after pruning) superoxide dismutase abscisic acid (ABA) decreased, while oxidase activities peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, indole acetate acetic (IAA), gibberellin (GA3), zeatin (ZT) increased. IAA plays a key role in process adventitious formation ratios IAA/GA3, IAA/ABA, IAA/ZT reflect hormone homeostasis formation. IAA/ABA higher values pruned compared control roots, which favor induction elongation. These results provide basis for study peony.