The value of root mass in hydro?

Been reading the seminal work on hydroponics, Hydroponics: A Practical Guide for the Soilless Grower. Stumbled on to some interesting, perhaps counter-intuitive information concerning root mass:

Generally, regarding roots of all plants...

"The size and extent of root development are not as critical as in soil. It has been demonstrated that one functioning root is sufficient to provide all the essential elements required by the plant, with size and extensiveness of the roots being primarily important for water uptake. Therefore, in most hydroponic systems, root growth and extension are probably far greater than needed, which may actually have a detrimental effect on plant growth and performance. It should be remembered that root growth and function require a continuous supply of carbohydrates, which are generated by photosynthesis. Therefore an ever-expanding and actively functioning root system will take carbohydrates away from vegetative expansion and fruit growth. Therefore, some degree of root growth control may be essential for high plant and fruit yields."

This seems to contradict the conventional wisdom concerning developing a nicely packed root ball. I imagine some root development is important, if only to prevent cutting off all your plants supply in one mistaken tug.

Does anyone have anything anecdotal to support / refute this? I'm determining when to transfer my plants from a periodic top-drip in to full NFT. If root growth isn't an issue or is undesirable, I ought to be able to drop em' in.

can't comment on the article, but all i know is that bigger roots produce bigger plants- at least for me

it's more about the state of vigor before flowering than exact mass, due to the faster growth potential during the stretch phase. you'll still need your plants proportional to total canopy size, but exactly where that veg size is depends on how the variety stretches of course.

i've always read that what's going on underground, is as/or more important than what's going on above ground. makes sense to me. kinda like bonsai trees. small root-mass, small plants...

more roots should make the plants more hardy and resistant to mistakes. it also seems like root growth really slows down in flower, so this would only be an issue in veg... which is already a fast and easy stage of the grow.

I've always felt root mass is directly proportional to yield.

Just because cells in the roots are dividing doesn't, imho, stop cells in the rest of the plant from dividing.

Its just that bigger plants usully have biiger roots, so people immediatly think biiger roots will equate to bigger plants. It doesnt mean you should aim for it.
Had plenty heavy producers with smaller root masses

oceangreen said:

Its just that bigger plants usully have biiger roots, so people immediatly think biiger roots will equate to bigger plants. It doesnt mean you should aim for it.
Had plenty heavy producers with smaller root masses

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I have had some strains that had a massive root structure and medium yield and smallish structure but bigger yield. Not sure if there is a correlation but it would seem logical that bigger roots = bigger plants. Newb here so I know crap but I tend to get concerned if the roots are small lol.

SnapsProvolone said:

Just because cells in the roots are dividing doesn't, imho, stop cells in the rest of the plant from dividing.

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It might, considering that CO2 availability is a limiting factor (why people put CO2 tanks in their grow room). Plants can focus energy on root development and vegetative development independently. New root shoot formation happens as the plant is seeking nutrition in the medium, and slows as nutrition is readily available.

The question I have is "how do I apply this?" Obviously people try to encourage root development early on, even using stimulators, to get the plant established. As for limiting root growth later in vegetation, I don't know of any "inhibitors" but that would be interesting. Just providing adequate nutrition in a continuous feed system ought to have the effect of slowing root growth.

The specific area where I think this could be applied is during early seedling care prior to transplant. I've seen a lot of hydro growers take their time prior to transplanting in order to really develop that root ball. Currently I'm top-dripping with long dry periods and watching new root tips form rapidly. If this reduced root mass theory is true, it would suggest transplanting to continuous feed systems sooner than later--would get plant focusing on more vegetative growth sooner. Additionally, with fewer root branches to support, it might limit root mass throughout the grow. The combined effect of transplanting sooner than later would mean faster veg times and more vigorous vegetation overall.

Just stumbled on to another blurb from this book from a different chapter, with regard to tomatoes:

"The author has found that transplanting seedlings shortly after the first 'true' leaves appear generally results in best initial plant growth and early setting of the first fruit truss under high light and temperature conditions."

Anyone got some baby clones on the way? Only way to really test this theory with MJ.

NeonTetra said:

Anyone got some baby clones on the way? Only way to really test this theory with MJ.

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It's your baby, let us know the results. Sounds way too much like the miracle of defoliation for me to get involved.

Hah, yeah, just read up on an influential sounding defoliation thread. Sounds miraculous to me too.

I think the difference in what I'm suggesting and something like that defoliation stuff is that the above would serve to simplify the process with potentially beneficial results. Root ball development is an extra step and technique. The reduced root mass theory would suggest it's not necessary.

NeonTetra said:

The question I have is "how do I apply this?

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Might I suggest:

Just don't give him too much coffee.

lol!!

BTW, the spirit of this thread from my POV is less, "Hey here's something new and potentially sketchy you could do to maximize your yields", and more, "Why are we doing something that soil growers do (root ball development and progressive transplanting) that may counter one of the major benefits of hydroponics (nutes to the roots vs. roots to the nutes) including faster grow times and higher yields.

SnapsProvolone said:

Just because cells in the roots are dividing doesn't, imho, stop cells in the rest of the plant from dividing.

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damn i like this guy.. love it when you guys talk science...

i weighed my root mass on my bonsai plant LOL she weighs around 8 pounds of solid green funky looking roots.. LOL oh its the sea green i use

Like many incorrect concepts we learn, a large root mass is not essential to grow fat nuggs

I have posted pics in my multispectrum thread that disproves the benefits of large root mass

Much like a big normally aspirated 250 v8 v a 250 hp turbo charged 4 cylinder

PetFlora said:

Like many incorrect concepts we learn, a large root mass is not essential to grow fat nuggs

I have posted pics in my multispectrum thread that disproves the benefits of large root mass

Much like a big normally aspirated 250 v8 v a 250 hp turbo charged 4 cylinder

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that is a poor analogy. turbos are generally regarded as unreliable, it takes a min for the psi to spool up, and you have to stay in the boost to get any benefit from it.

naturally aspirated v8 has none of these issues... just less gas milage.

actually it is kind of a good analogy, just not the way you intended.

i think this pic is a good example of root mass equaling plant mass