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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2023) | Viewed by 26490

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mohammed S. Lamhamedi

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Abitibi Price Building, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Interests: forest nursery; ecophysiology; cultural practices; composting and growing media; environmental stress; vegetative propagation; genetic of ectomycorrhizal fungi; assisted migration; heavy metal tolerance; seedling performance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Damase P. Khasa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Centre for Forest Research, Institute for Systems and Integrative Biology, Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Interests: biotechnologies of mycorrhizal and nitrogen-fixing symbioses; nursery production; molecular ecology and environmental genomics; agroforestry; mining restoration; invasive plant biology; field performance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Steeve Pepin

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Guest Editor

Centre de Recherche et d’Innovation sur les Végétaux, Faculté des Sciences de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation, Université Laval, 2480 Boul., Hochelaga, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Interests: tree physiology; gas exchange; soil–plant interactions; environmental biophysics; irrigation; microclimate; peat substrate properties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The success of the various reforestation programs (production, protection, recreation, agroforestry, combating desertification, etc.) is a major challenge which requires optimization and control of the various steps in the production chain of seedlings of high morphophysiological quality, from seed or cutting or emblings to planting. The establishment, survival, and growth of seedlings in reforestation sites are closely linked to the different cultural practices in nurseries and silvicultural techniques in reforestation sites. In the context of climate change, seedlings and plantations are subject to different environmental stresses and some very severe climatic extremes that negatively affect their survival and growth.

Thus, the morphophysiological quality of seedlings is one of the essential components that directly affects the success of reforestation programs. The production of quality seedlings or emblings in forest nurseries and the success of plantations are strongly linked to the selection of genetic sources (provenance, families, clones) adapted to the plantation sites, to the different cultural practices applied in the nursery, to the handling, transportation, and storage of seedlings or emblings before planting them on a reforestation site, site preparation, and silvicultural techniques.

This Special Issue will integrate original research, practical strategies, and reviews related to but not limited to the following potential topics:

(a) Genetic material and seed quality, growth and physiology of seedlings produced by somatic embryogenesis, cutting, seeds, and other propagation techniques;

(b) Production in forest nurseries and effects of different practical techniques on the morphophysiological quality of seedlings or emblings: containers, and seedling size, physicochemical properties of different growing media, management of water and fertilizers, mineral nutrient leaching, water stress preconditioning, ecophysiology of seedlings or stecklings, frost and water stress tolerance, short-day treatment, hardening and dehardening; seedling or embling storage; mycorrhizal fungi and other symbioses, etc.;

(c) Field performance of seedlings or emblings under different site conditions, handling and transportation, assignment of the genetic characteristics of seedlings to the conditions of the planting site and the current and future climate, assisted migration, competing vegetation, site preparation techniques and silvicultural treatments, growth and physiology of seedlings or emblings in response to different environmental stress conditions (drought, salinity, heavy metal, frost, etc.).

Dr. Mohammed S. Lamhamedi
Prof. Dr. Damase P. Khasa
Prof. Dr. Steeve Pepin
Guest Editors

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Keywords

seed and seedling quality
cutting
somatic embryogenesis
nursery production
cultural practices
environmental stress
mycorrhizal and bacteria symbioses
field performance

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

7 pages, 991 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

The Production Chain of Tree Seedlings, from Seeds to Sustainable Plantations: An Essential Link for the Success of Reforestation and Restoration Programs in the Context of Climate Change

by Mohammed S. Lamhamedi, Steeve Pepin and Damase Khasa

Forests 2023, 14(9), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091693 - 22 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Although the evolution of principles, procedures, and predictive abilities related to seedling quality throughout the plant production chain (i.e., from seeds to sustainable plantations) has been reviewed over the past decades in various technical and scientific publications, there is still a need to develop and integrate new and efficient practices in forest nurseries and at planting sites, in order to improve the morphophysiological quality of seedlings and saplings, and their survival and growth under different site and environmental conditions in the context of climate change. We have grouped together different scientific articles in this Special Issue of Forests, entitled “Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings”. They cover different topics relating to the seedling production chain in different countries and continents, from growing media to planting performance related to reforestation, restoration, and agroforestry programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

12 pages, 2684 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity of Endomycorrhizal Fungi in Argan Forest Stands: Implications for the Success of Reforestation Programs

by Matike Ganoudi, Imane Ouallal, Abdelali El Mekkaoui, Majid Mounir, Mohammed Ibriz and Driss Iraqi

Forests 2023, 14(8), 1649; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14081649 - 15 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1521

Abstract

Over the last few decades, argan trees (Argania spinosa L.) skeels have faced harsh ecological conditions and anthropogenic pressure, leading to a dramatic decline in surface and density of cultivation. Nowadays, most techniques used to regenerate argan trees have failed. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are root symbionts that increase plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses during transplantation. The exploration of these symbiotic fungi from different soils of argan stands is the starting point for the selection and production of high-performance organisms adapted to the reforestation sites. The objective of this study is to investigate the composition of the AMF community associated with the argan tree rhizosphere. Forty adult argan trees were sampled in eight forest sites representative of the distribution and genetic diversity of argan forest stands. Five sub-samples of rhizospheric soil were taken around each tree. Our results revealed the presence of different AMF structures (i.e., hyphae, vesicles/and arbuscules) in root samples. Based on morphological characterization, six genera of AMF spores were identified with a dominance of the genera Septoglomus (34%). In addition, soil organic matter and phosphorus concentrations showed a highly significant correlation with AMF spore density. The chi-square test showed a highly significant dependence of the distribution of genera on the site conditions of forest stands. These AMF could be tested and used during the inoculation of argan seedlings in forest nurseries for the success of restoration and reforestation programs, as well as for the development and sustainable improvement of this agroforestry system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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13 pages, 1544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Compost Tea in a Containerized Urban Tree Nursery Shows No Evident Benefits to Tree Growth or Mycorrhizal Colonization

by Dan Du, Stephen J. Livesley, Stefan K. Arndt, Camille Truong and Rebecca E. Miller

Forests 2023, 14(6), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14061195 - 9 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1563

Abstract

Compost tea is a liquid organic amendment that has been reported to benefit plant growth and performance through positive effects on microbial communities and plant nutrition. However, few studies have demonstrated this for containerized plants produced in tree nurseries. Five common urban tree species (Acer negundo, Corymbia maculata, Ficus platypoda, Hymenosporum flavum, Jacaranda mimosifolia) were grown in a containerized experiment to investigate the effects of compost tea application on tree growth and root mycorrhizal colonization over six months. The microbial composition of compost tea was also determined with 16S (bacteria) and ITS1 (fungi) metabarcoding. No significant positive effect of compost tea on plant growth or root mycorrhizal colonization was observed. Roots of all tree species were colonized by one type of mycorrhizal fungi, ectomycorrhizae (ECM), or vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM). However, no relationship between the mycorrhizal colonization percentage and plant growth was detected. Thus, there was no evidence that a once-off application of compost tea had benefits for mycorrhizal colonization and growth of containerized trees in a nursery setting. Further research is needed to investigate whether any benefit from compost tea is evident once containerized trees are planted into urban landscapes where growth conditions may be more challenging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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16 pages, 2589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Hydraulic and Aeration Properties of Peat Substrates Used to Produce Containerized White Spruce Seedlings (1+0) in Forest Nurseries

by Simon Boudreault, Jean Caron, Mohammed S. Lamhamedi and Steeve Pepin

Forests 2023, 14(4), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040858 - 21 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1362

Abstract

The physical properties of peat substrates from eight tree nurseries were characterized to determine bulk density, air-filled porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, pore effectiveness, relative gas diffusivity and chemical properties. There were significant variations among nurseries both in growth of white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] seedlings (1+0) and substrate properties. Shoot dry mass and root collar diameter were negatively correlated with air-filled porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity, whereas root dry mass was positively correlated with bulk density. Seedling growth increased with increasing substrate bulk density up to ~0.11 g cm⁻³, above which value conditions may become limiting to plant performance. Our results suggest that there was no growth limitation due to restricted aeration (D_s D₀⁻¹ > 0.005 m² s⁻¹ m⁻² s for all substrates except one) and that over-aeration reduced seedling growth under dry irrigation management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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19 pages, 2775 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Biochar Amendment, Microbiome Inoculation, Crop Mixture and Planting Density on Post-Mining Restoration

by Degi Harja Asmara, Suzanne Allaire, Meine van Noordwijk and Damase P. Khasa

Forests 2023, 14(4), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040856 - 21 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1687

Abstract

Ecological restoration with a multispecies and multifunctional approach can accelerate the re-establishment of numerous ecosystem services. The challenges with land that is degraded, damaged, or destroyed post-mining are the low productivity of soil and the high potential for contaminants. Herein, we evaluated the multispecies and multifunctional approach to restoration strategy through a mixture of woody and herbaceous species, microsymbiont and biochar amendments, and plant spacing. The experiments were conducted using greenhouse and field trials located in Quebec, Canada. We used a mixture of tree species (Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC. ssp. crispa (Aiton) Turrill, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, Populus tremuloides Michx. and Salix arbusculoides Andersson) and herbaceous species (Avena sativa L., Festuca rubra L. and Trifolium repens L.) on two types of gold-mine waste materials (fine tailing and waste rock). The biochar amendment and microbial inoculation were applied on both greenhouse and field trials. We found both positive and negative effects of plant spacing, biochar amendment and inoculation depending on their interactions. The net positive effect was shown by combining high plantation density, biochar, and inoculation factors on Alnus viridis ssp. crispa. Overall, plantation density was shown to be the most important factor in generating the net positive effect. We suggest that the mechanism was correlated with the improvement in microclimate through soil plant water conservation and microbial activity enhancement over soil temperature modification. Hence, we propose to put emphasis on microclimate improvement for accelerating the restoration processes, along with other combined factors, including microbial inoculation and biochar amendment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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24 pages, 3794 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Importance of Initial Seedling Characteristics in Controlling Allocation to Growth and Reserves under Different Soil Moisture Conditions

by Simon M. Landhäusser, Erin T. Wiley, Kevin A. Solarik, Shaun P. Kulbaba and Alexander E. Goeppel

Forests 2023, 14(4), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040796 - 13 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1342

Abstract

After disturbance, forest regeneration and resiliency depend on the ability of seedlings to respond, survive, and grow under a variety of stress conditions, including drought. Despite recent efforts to improve our fundamental knowledge surrounding plant response mechanisms to stress and their application in seedling quality research, initial seedling characteristics are often ignored when exploring seedling responses to stress in field plantings or ecophysiological studies. Here, we explore how initial differences in size, biomass allocation, and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) storage affect the subsequent partitioning of new biomass, growth potential, and drought response in seedlings of a deciduous broad-leaved (Populus tremuloides) and an evergreen coniferous species (Pinus banksiana). We exposed seedlings of both species to different growing conditions in their first growing season in order to manipulate the aforementioned seedling characteristics. In a second growing season, we exposed these different seedling types to a subsequent drought stress. While drought reduced both structural growth and NSC storage in all seedling types, the expected shift in allocation favoring roots was only observed in seedling types with initially low root:shoot or root:stem ratios. Overall, we also found that the traits associated with greater growth were quite different between pine and aspen. While larger seedlings led to greater growth in pine, it was the smallest seedling type in aspen with the largest root:stem ratio that produced the most new growth. In aspen, this smaller seedling type was the only one that did not undergo a shift in biomass relative to its initial allometry, suggesting that adjustments in biomass allocation made by other, larger seedling types must have come at the cost of lower growth. In contrast, adjustments in allocation did not appear to negatively impact pine, possibly because reduced root:shoot ratios of larger seedlings did not reduce NSC storage, as it did in aspen. Our results highlight (1) the complexity of how differences in biomass allocation and changes in seedling size may alter storage and the response of species to drought, and (2) the importance of accounting for initial seedling characteristics (both morphological and physiological) when predicting seedling growth and the impacts of environmental stressors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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18 pages, 7945 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Seedling Size, Stock Type, and Mechanical Site Preparation Method on Initial Survival and Growth of Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi) Seedlings

by Hisanori Harayama, Ikutaro Tsuyama, Mitsutoshi Kitao, Takeshi Yamada, Naoyuki Furuya, Hajime Utsugi and Shozo Sasaki

Forests 2023, 14(4), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040784 - 11 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1873

Abstract

It is important to understand the characteristics of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) seedlings that allow them to grow vigorously after planting and quickly exceed the height of surrounding vegetation, resulting in lower weeding costs. Seven stock types, including bareroot and container-grown seedlings, were planted in two plots with different mechanical-site-preparation (MSP) methods and evaluated for survival, height, and root collar diameter (RCD) for four consecutive years. Three-year-old bareroot seedlings, which were one year older and larger than normal, had low survival rates in the mulcher MSP. Initial seedling height significantly differed among the seven stock types, while almost no significant differences were observed after four growing seasons. Model analyses showed that initial seedling height and RCD had a significant effect on seedling height after planting until the second growing season, while the effect of planted seedling age and plot became increasingly significant after the third growing season. The difference in seedling type, bareroot versus container-grown seedlings, had no effect on the seedling height during the four growing seasons after planting. A decision tree analysis suggests that the seedlings with sufficiently large RCD and young age, regardless of seedling type, can grow taller than surrounding vegetation more quickly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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18 pages, 3079 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential Use of Two Forest Species (Salix alba and Casuarina glauca) in the Rhizofiltration of Heavy-Metal-Contaminated Industrial Wastewater

by Malek Bousbih, Mohammed S. Lamhamedi, Mejda Abassi, Damase P. Khasa and Zoubeir Béjaoui

Forests 2023, 14(3), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030654 - 22 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2018

Abstract

The discharge of raw industrial wastewater (IWW) into ecosystems is a major environmental problem that adversely affects water quality, soil physicochemical properties, the food chain and, therefore, human health. Injection of treated IWW into irrigation and “fertigation” systems is an ecological, sustainable and economical approach for its appropriate disposal. Seedlings of two forest species (Salix alba, Casuarina glauca) were grown hydroponically and subjected to 25% diluted IWW and control (tap water) treatments for 35 days. Morphological and physiological traits were evaluated, including leaf symptoms, stem and root dry masses, leaf water potential, relative water content, chlorophyll content, photosystem II efficiency, hydrogen peroxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, bioaccumulation and translocation factor estimates and removal efficiency for various heavy metals. Application of 25% IWW stress affected many aspects of plant morphology: chlorosis and necrosis in leaves, epinasty, leaf curling, early leaf senescence and root browning. In both species, the 25% IWW treatment reduced leaf, stem and root dry masses relative to controls. S. alba exhibited greater removal capacity for heavy metal ions and could be effective as a remediator of toxic-metal-polluted industrial effluent water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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14 pages, 3517 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutrient Availability Has a Greater Influence than Pot Host on Seedling Development of Hemiparasitic Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum Hook. and Arn.)

by Tawn M. Speetjens and Douglass F. Jacobs

Forests 2023, 14(3), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030458 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1571

Abstract

Sandalwood (Santalum spp.) has been overharvested throughout its range, including the Hawaiian Islands, where 6 of the 19 species Santalum spp. are endemic. As hemiparasitic plant species, Hawaiian sandalwoods require a host plant for optimal forest establishment, yet the importance of a host during seedling development is unclear. Furthermore, understanding interactions between pot hosts and nutrient availability on sandalwood seedling development during nursery culture will help to promote the production of high-quality sandalwood seedlings for restoration and commercial purposes. We evaluated the effects of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), chelated Fe treatments, and two pot host species (Acacia koa and Dodonaea viscosa) on the seedling development of Hawaiian sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum). Increased nutrient availability (CRF) led to increased dry mass, root collar diameter, shoot height, chlorophyll index, and nutrient status values, confirming that the hemiparasitic S. paniculatum can be successfully grown in early stages of cultivation by providing adequate mineral fertilizers. There was a significant interaction between the nutrient availability and chelated iron treatments associated with increased height, root collar diameter, dry mass, chlorophyll index, Fe concentration, and Fe content when chelated Fe was applied (vs. not) in a nutrient-limiting environment. The pot host treatment did not affect any growth metrics, but it did affect the total count of haustoria, with A. koa-hosted seedlings developing 60.3% more haustoria than D. viscosa-hosted and control seedlings. Our results demonstrate that high-quality S. paniculatum seedlings can be grown in containers by providing adequate nutrition and that S. paniculatum in a nutrient-limiting growing environment may benefit from chelated iron fertilizers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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11 pages, 1173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutritional Assessment and Comparison of the Composition of Oil Extracted from Argan Nuts Collected from a Plantation and Two Natural Forest Stands of ARGAN Trees

by Chaimaa Sabiri, Bouchra Tazi, Nadia Maata, Souad Rahim, Hassan Taki, Ahmed Bennamara, Lhoussaine Saad and Abdelfettah Derouiche

Forests 2023, 14(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020180 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1870

Abstract

Argan oil (AO), extracted from the argan tree’s fruits, is principally composed of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, tocopherols, and sterols. This unique chemical composition is likely to be responsible for its beneficial effects. The argan tree (Argania spinosa) grows endemically in the southwest of Morocco. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of three types of argan oil from three geographical locations: argan oil extracted from argan nuts collected from a plantation (Casablanca, AOC) and two forest stands of argan trees growing naturally in their native environment of the south-west of Morocco ((regions of Essaouira (AOE) and Taroudant (AOT)). The composition of the three oils corresponds to the known composition of argan oil in terms of fatty acids and unsaponifiable fraction. The chemical analyses revealed that the argan oil extracted from the plantations (AOC) is significantly richer in linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and tocopherols compared to the oil from the two natural stands (AOE and AOT) of argan trees. These results suggest that it is possible to facilitate an assisted migration of the argan tree outside its natural area into sites exposed to sea spray without affecting the quality of its argan oil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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26 pages, 5057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of Episodic Winter Warming on Dehardening of Boreal Forest Seedlings in Northern Forest Nurseries

by Mohammed S. Lamhamedi, Marie-Claude Lambert and Mario Renaud

Forests 2022, 13(12), 1975; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13121975 - 23 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1412

Abstract

In recent decades, forest nurseries in eastern Canada have been faced with periods of mild winter weather, delayed snowfall, and low seedling protective snow cover combined with winter rains instead of snowfall. These extreme conditions have resulted in the loss of millions of seedlings, in particular those that overwinter outdoors, probably due to their winter dehardening. The main objective of this study is to simulate different periods of warm weather at the beginning and end of winter and evaluate their effects on the dehardening and growth of Picea mariana and Picea glauca seedlings in response to different freezing temperatures. Three warming treatments were simulated (control, 1 day, and 3 days of warming at 10 °C) followed by three freezing temperatures (−4, −12, and −20 °C). In winter, regardless of the warming treatment, the seedlings of the two species tolerated the different freezing temperatures without any apparent damage. However, at the end of winter and in the absence of snow cover, the seedlings did not show frost tolerance at −20 °C. On the other hand, the seedlings showed normal growth after undergoing frosts at −4 °C and −12 °C, similar to that observed for control seedlings. Different cultural practices and protection strategies are proposed to improve frost tolerance and reduce the winter loss of seedlings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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11 pages, 2449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plant Growth and Microbiota Structural Effects of Rhizobacteria Inoculation on Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King [Meliaceae]) under Nursery Conditions

by Flor I. Trujillo-Elisea, Natalia Y. Labrín-Sotomayor, Patricia A. Becerra-Lucio, Angel A. Becerra-Lucio, Jorge E. Martínez-Heredia, Ana T. Chávez-Bárcenas and Yuri J. Peña-Ramírez

Forests 2022, 13(10), 1742; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13101742 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2360

Abstract

Swietenia macrophylla is a tropical timber species of ecological and economic importance. However, its slow vegetative growth and root development in nurseries strongly limit its production. This study evaluated the effect of 10 rhizobacteria strains during the early stages of production of S. macrophylla. Superficially disinfected seeds were inoculated with rhizobacteria under commercial nursery conditions. Inoculation was complemented by initial fertilization without growth regulators, fungicides, or bactericides. The results indicate that the rhizobacteria strains induce different responses in plants. Significant differences in plant biomass and root architecture were found. Treatments inoculated with Bacillus sp., Bacillus polyfermenticus, and Bacillus siamensis strains; showed an increase of up to 41% (dry weight). Plants increased root biomass by 30% when inoculated with S. siamensis. All inoculated strains were identified as members of the genus Bacillus spp., and their presence three months after inoculation was assessed by 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon massive sequencing. We found that Bacillus sp. genus was only present in inoculated treatments, suggesting that inoculated bacteria could establish themselves successfully as part of the microbiota. These results support the advantages of using PGPRs in commercial tropical tree production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

48 pages, 13507 KiB

Open AccessReview

Why Healthy Pine Seedlings Die after They Leave the Nursery

by David B. South, Tom E. Starkey and Al Lyons

Forests 2023, 14(3), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030645 - 21 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4210

Abstract

Artificial regeneration is successful when high-performing seedlings are transported with care to the planting site, stored for a short period in an environment without desiccation or fungal growth, and planted in a deep hole, so roots are in contact with moist soil. One of the requirements for success is the ability to avoid common planting mistakes. Due, in part, to the use of container stock plus an increase in rainfall, the average first-year survival of pine seedlings (89%) in the southern United States is about 15% greater now than 45 years ago. However, when survival is less than 50% six months after planting, some landowners seek reimbursement for their loss. Some assume poor seedling quality was the cause without realizing that anaerobic soils or sudden freeze events, shallow planting holes, pruning roots, a lack of rain or underground insects can kill pines. With a focus on pines planted in the southern United States, we list non-nursery factors that have killed seedlings in North America, Africa and Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production in Forest Nurseries and Field Performance of Seedlings)

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