Air pruning is the natural process where a root tip stops growing when it is exposed to air. Instead of continuing to elongate, the tip dries out and dies back slightly, which triggers the plant to produce multiple new lateral roots behind the tip.
In containers designed for air pruning, such as root trainers or fabric pots, this process prevents roots from circling along the pot edge and encourages a dense, fibrous root system. The result is improved nutrient uptake and better transplant performance compared to plants grown in smooth-walled pots.
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