Field survival of containerized red and jack pine seedlings inoculated with mycelial slurries of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Red pine and jack pine seedlings growing in styroblocks were inoculated 8 wk after sowing with mycelium/agar slurries of 3 mycorrhizal fungi (Laccaria bicolor, Scleroderma citrinum, and an unidentified basidiomycete), and one suspected mycorrhizal fungus (Cantharellula umbonata). Seedlings inoculated with L. bicolor developed mycorrhizae earlier and in greater numbers than the other inoculation treatments, with red pine out-performing jack pine in both respects. At 34 wk following sowing, seedlings were outplanted on a cleared xeric site in Baraga Co., in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Seedlings inoculated with C. umbonata failed to form mycorrhizae and were not outplanted. Inoculation treatments did not affect shoot or root weight at outplanting. Red pine inoculated with L. bicolor averaged 21% and 19% greater survival compared with control seedlings after one and two years in the field, respectively. Other inoculation treatments failed to increase seedling survival for either tree species. Jack pine demonstrated higher overall survival than did red pine for both years in all corresponding inoculation treatments.     

Effects of seed origin and sowing time on timing of height growth cessation of Betula pendula seedlings

We studied the effects of seed origin and sowing time on height development and timing of height growth cessation of first-year silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) seedlings in a greenhouse experiment. Seeds of seven origins ranging in latitudes from 58 degrees to 67 degrees N were sown at 1-2-week intervals eight times from May 21 to July 30, 2001. The day/night temperature in the greenhouse was set at 20/10 degrees C, but lighting was natural and day length varied accordingly. Seedling height was measured twice a week. The interaction term between seed origin and sowing date was significant, but the pattern of height development and timing of growth cessation depended systematically on latitude of seed origin and sowing date. As seed origin became increasingly northern, growth cessation began earlier and resulted in shorter growth periods. Later sowing dates delayed growth cessation but also shortened the growth period. Final seedling height systematically decreased with increasingly northern origins and with later sowings. Linear regression analysis predicted timing of growth cessation, night length at growth cessation, length of growth period and final seedling height with high precision when the latitude of seed origin and sowing time were predictor variables. The timing of height growth cessation was determined by the seed origin, night length and developmental stage of the seedlings.     

云南西双版纳大果紫檀种源苗期试验

在云南西双版纳对8个大果紫檀种源的苗期生长表现进行了研究,结果表明:大果紫檀种源间地径、苗高和径高比差异均极显著,越南种源的地径生长与绝大多数的泰国种源(MT5种源除外)差异不显著,但其苗高生长显著低于泰国种源,其径高比显著高于泰国种源;大果紫檀各种源的生长表现与其产地的经纬度呈现明显的相关性;以MT2和MT3泰国种源生长最快,可初步视为优良种源;大果紫檀各种源苗高生长均在2～5月份缓慢加快,6月份则生长迅速加快,与当地月最低气温有关。大果紫檀是一个典型的热带树种,在我国宜选择春季月最低气温较高的地区引种。     

Replanting conifer seedlings after pine weevil emigration in spring decreases feeding damage and seedling mortality

Replanting at appropriate times after harvesting a coniferous forest stand can help efforts to suppress seedling mortality caused by the pine weevil Hylobius abietis, but optimal times are uncertain. We hypothesized that planting in June rather than May in the third season after harvest would reduce feeding damage by the pine weevil and increase seedling survival rates in central Sweden, where new-generation weevils mainly fly away from their development sites in May/early June. An experimental test of the hypothesis in eight clear-cuts confirmed that planting in June instead of May reduced proportions of seedlings attacked by pine weevil, bark removal from seedlings’ stems, and proportions of seedlings killed by feeding damage. These differences between seedlings planted in May and June declined to some extent with time but still remained significant after two growing seasons. The total seedling mortality after two seasons did, however, not differ significantly between seedlings planted in May and June. Overall, 29% of all seedlings were killed by pine weevil, 4.0% by Hylastes bark beetles, and 2.3% by drought. The results indicate that replanting in spring during the third season after harvest can advantageously continue until mid-June with respect to damage and mortality.     

Sexual Reproduction of European Aspen (Populus tremula L.) at Prescribed Burned Site: The Effects of Moisture Conditions

Aspen (Populus tremula) is capable of reproducing both sexually and asexually from root suckers, the latter being more common. Seedlings are rare even though potential seed production is enormous. The aim of this study was to find out how different moisture conditions affect emergence and survival of aspen seedlings on burned soil. We set up a sowing experiment on mineral soil and on humus. The sowing was done at 240 microsites (θ7 cm) in 15 blocks (1×1 m). Treatments were sowing time, watering and sowing shelter. A total of 1463 seedlings emerged on mineral soil and 26 on humus. Watering, covering, their interaction, block and sowing time had significant effects on the number of seedlings. The largest numbers of seedlings were recorded at microsites that were watered and covered. The survival of seedlings was 20% during the growing season and 45% over winter. We conclude that seedbed conditions and moisture are the most essential factors for sexual reproduction of aspen. Short-term weather conditions have an important effect on seedling emergence and are likely to greatly affect field studies.     

Adventitious root formation of two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> species on log and soil in an old-growth subalpine forest in central Japan

We assessed stem burial and adventitious root formation of two late-successional species, Abies mariesii and A. veitchii, in central Japan. In a plot (5 × 5 m), all seedlings between 8 and 24 cm tall were excavated: six A. mariesii seedlings in soil, and six and four A. veitchii seedlings in soil and on logs, respectively. For each sampled seedling, the number of terminal bud scars (TBS) was counted on the aboveground and belowground stems. Stem length was measured, and divided into aboveground and belowground stems. Among the three groups (A. mariesii seedlings in soil and A. veitchii seedlings in soil or on logs), there was no significant difference in height or total root weight (sum of adventitious roots and primary roots), but diameter at ground level and number of TBS were significantly different. Counting TBS on the aboveground stem of seedlings in soil underestimated seedling age, whereas the estimate was much closer to the true age for seedlings on logs. Seedlings in soil formed more adventitious roots than seedlings on logs. A large proportion of the stem was buried in humus for seedlings in soil, while most of the stem was not buried in humus for seedlings on logs. These results suggest that substrate affects adventitious root formation, the formation of which is important to shade tolerance. Thus, our preliminary results suggest that consideration of adventitious root formation is necessary to understand seedling bank dynamics and estimate seedling ages of these Abies species in spatially heterogeneous old-growth subalpine forests.     

Effectiveness of freezer storage in fulfilling the chilling requirement of fall-lifted ponderosa pine seedlings

The degree to which freezer storage fulfilled the chilling requirement of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) seedlings of two sources was determined by monitoring their development after potting or planting. The seedlings were lifted in September, October, November, or March and subjected to storage before outplanting. The fulfillment of chilling was assessed by measuring days to budbreak, cumulative percentage of seedlings flushing, foliated shoot length, and rate of bud abortion. The effect of freezer storage depended on stage of seedling development at lifting, length of storage, and seed source. Storage did not totally replace winter conditions, especially for seedlings lifted in September and October. Those from a high-elevation seed source flushed sooner than those from a low-elevation source. Delayed budbreak after planting of early lifted seedlings from the high-elevation source disappeared in the second year, but those from the low-elevation source continued to show effects. Seedlings lifted and stored in November had patterns of budbreak that were similar to those of seedlings that had overwintered in beds.     

Effect of spatial heterogeneity on natural regeneration of Manchurian ash

lntr0ducti0nSpatialheterogeneityisanimportantcharacteristicofecoIogicatsystem,itisreceivingm0reandmoreattentionbecauseofitsdeterminingroIeinecoIogicaIpatternandprocess(Robertsonetal1993,CadweIletal.1994,W8ngetal1997,1998,Lieta/1998,W8ng1999,Davieetal.1998).Spatialstructurecre-atedbymanyfactorsprofOundIyinfIuencesthedy-namics,composition,andbiodiversity0fcommunity(Tilman1994).DimensionanaIysisinspaceisindis-pensabletoexplaintheage-oIdquestionsaboutthemechanismsofplantcoexistenceinseeming…     

Effects of Previous High N Addition on Nutrient Conditions in Above-ground Biomass of a Picea abies Stand in Sweden

The effect of different thawing procedures on seedling quality in Norway spruce (Picea abies) was evaluated. Freezer-stored seedlings were thawed rapidly for 20 h by immersion in water with an initial water temperature of 8°C or thawed more slowly by gradually increasing the temperature in storage over a period of 8 weeks. Seedlings from these treatments were also compared with seedlings thawed rapidly overnight at 15°C. Frost tolerance, carbohydrate content and the time of bud break were used as indicators of the vitality of the seedlings. Seedlings thawed rapidly in water or air showed significantly better frost tolerance after storage than slowly thawed seedlings. The contents of sucrose and raffinose in seedlings thawed rapidly were also significantly higher than in seedlings thawed more slowly. Bud break occurred later in seedlings thawed rapidly than in slowly thawed seedlings. Rapid thawing in water may be a good method to ensure the delivery of high-quality thawed seedlings throughout the planting season.     

Early season short-day treatment did not affect the field performance of Pinus sylvestris container seedlings in summer planting

Abstract

When Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings are short-day (SD) treated in May or early June, height growth ceases but seedlings reflush within a few weeks and grow secondary needles (later referred to as early SD treatment). These “2-year-old-like” seedlings have been thought to be more stress tolerant than traditional 1-year-old pine seedlings, and thus suitable for summer and autumn plantings. To test this, seedlings sown in April were early SD treated over a 3-week period from the beginning of June and the seedlings were planted at 10-day intervals from the beginning of July until the end of September, and also during the following spring. Neither survival nor height growth of early SD-treated seedlings differed from untreated (1-year-old) seedlings. Moreover, for both early SD-treated seedlings and 1-year-old seedlings, those planted in summer grew and survived better after planting but had more multiple leaders than seedlings planted in autumn or spring.     

Effects of alternate types of microsite shade on survival of planted Douglas-fir in southwest Oregon

Five-year survival of 2-0 bareroot Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] seedlings was increased by three types of shading (cardboard shadecards placed to the south or east of seedlings, and bottomless styrofoam cups inverted around the seedling base) on two south-facing sites in southwest Oregon. On the drier site, seedlings survived well without shading (89% unshaded, 98% shaded), but on the wetter site, where seedlings were stressed more, shading was more beneficial (62% unshaded, 89% shaded). Shading did not affect growth. Seedlings grew more in 5 years on the drier than the wetter site, likely as a result of better handling and planting practices, less browsing by deer, and better weed control.     

Proposed dates for lifting Sitka spruce planting stock for fresh planting or cold storage,based on physiological indicators

The relationship between physiological status and theability to withstand the stresses of lifting, coldstoring and planting was evaluated from 1992–1995 inSitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.)2 + 1 transplants of Washington/northern Oregon originsgrowing in Ireland. Needle primordium initiationcontinued until later and cold hardiness developedmore slowly in the mild lifting season of 1994/95. The seasonal decline in shoot mitotic activity wasgenerally similar each year, with apices becominginactive in December. Cell divisions in roots ceasedin November or December. Shoots began to deharden inearly February each year, but the rates of dehardeningwere slow until March. Cell divisions in root apicesresumed in February each year, compared with March forshoot apices. The vitality of the seedlings followingcold storage was high for most lift dates except theOctober and April dates. The period of highest stressresistance (as indicated by cold hardiness levels) forlifting for immediate planting was from about lateNovember/early December to early March; shoots werecold hardy to about –20 °C (LT₅₀) at thistime. Seedlings could be lifted and cold stored (1–2 °C)until May/June when shoots were cold hardyto about –30 °C or lower, which coincided withthe period from mid- to late December until March.     

The effect of seed pretreatment and sowing date on the nursery emergence of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis [Bong.] Carr.) seedlings

Sitka spruce seeds which had been: (1) untreated (U), (2) prechilled(P), or (3) prechilled and then redried and stored for 16 months(R), were sown into progressively warmer seed beds on four datesat monthly intervals from March to June. At each sowing date,samples of seed were germinated in the laboratory at optimum(20°C) and sub-optimum (10°C) temperatures. Prechillingand prechilling + redrying both increased the rate and totalamount of germination compared with untreated seed at each testtemperature. However in the nursery, the beneficial effectsof pretreating Sitka spruce seed were restricted to sowing inMarch and April when soil temperatures were sub-optimal forthe germination of untreated seeds. Pretreatment resulted inrapid seedling emergence at soil temperatures between 10°Cand 15°C, whereas untreated seed germinated slowly and seedlingemergence continued until high soil temperatures in June killedungerminated seeds. The pattern of seedling emergence from theredried seed was similar to that from the prechilled seed, exceptfor a lag in the start of seedling emergence probably due tothe extra time needed for redried seed to imbibe water in theseed beds. Thus redrying caused insignificant loss of seed performanceon the nursery. Seed sown in May and June experienced average temperatures closeto the optimum for germination of 20°C, however daily maximaregularly exceeded 35°C resulting in the cessation of seedlingemergence in all three seed treatments, and the loss of newlyemerged seedlings. Periods of warm weather from June onwardswere the main factors limiting the final number and size ofseedlings.     

Seed source and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiont affects growth of Juglans nigra seedlings

Seedlings of Juglans nigra from three seed sources were grown in fumigated soil without vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi or inoculated with Gigaspora margarita, Glomus deserticola or Glomus etunicatum. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal development varied significantly between fungal symbionts within a black walnut source. Glomus deserticola and G. etunicatum produced the highest levels of root colonization in all sources. Significant differences in seedling shoot and root growth were attributed to root colonization by specific VAM fungi in each black walnut source. Glomus deserticola stimulated seedling leaf area and root weight 26 and 52%, respectively, in one seed source. Seedling leaf N, P and K concentrations were significantly improved by VAM in two seed sources. Juglans nigra seedlings respond favorably to VAM colonization. However, differences between seed sources suggest a strong host-symbiont interaction.     

Frost heaving of forest tree seedlings: a review

Soil frost heaving is the result of the formation of ice lenses in the soil caused by a segregation of the soil water. Ice lenses are growing from below and pushed upward. Seedlings heave when they are pushed out of the ground by the ice sheet formed at the surface of the soil. Frost heaving may greatly reduce growth and survival of forest tree seedlings particularly in regions where freezing and thawing are accompanied by high soil moisture. Resistance to frost heaving increases with size of seedling as the ability of a seedling to anchor itself increases. A few methods, such as fertilizing, choice of planting spots, sowing or planting at the proper time, shading, and use of mulches, appear to be effective in controlling frost heaving. Shade from natural plant cover can greatly reduce frost heaving.     

The importance of seedling competition in the segregation of spruce and fir in the southern Appalachians

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri [Pursh] Poir.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) are codominants of southern Appalachian spruce-fir forests. Fraser fir generally dominates above 1740 m, while red spruce usually dominates below this elevation. This study was designed to determine whether the present segregation of the two species along elevational gradients is associated with seedling competition or contrasting physiological responses to environmental factors. Seedlings were grown for two years in a replacement series experiment along two elevational transects extending from 1300 m to 1900 m, and harvested for growth analysis.Competition increased with decreasing elevation and Fraser fir was apparently the stronger competitor. Mortality was inversely correlated with elevation and was most evident in red spruce in May, and in fir in late summer. Fir growth increased with elevation and red spruce grew most at the middle elevation (1600 m). Neither competitive interactions nor growth responses completely explained the elevational segregation of red spruce and Fraser fir. We hypothesize that the early-successional Fraser fir quickly dominates at higher elevations following disturbance and that continued disturbance will favor its dominance at higher elevations. However, the late-successional noncompetitive red spruce slowly establishes itself and, while consistently present, may only dominate in the absence of disturbance and where other species are at the margins of their distribution.     

White and black spruce seedling development using the concept of relative addition rate

Ingestad's concept of relative addition rate was used to grow a range of seedling types, of both black (Picea mariana) (Mill.) B.S.P.), and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). Seedlings were grown for about 18 weeks in styrofoam containers under greenhouse conditions, and fertilized at exponentially increasing rates of either one, two, four or six per cent per day, following a one month pretreatment period. Pretreatment consisted of applying a nutrient solution proportionally low in nitrogen, but that had a relatively high conductivity compared to the initial solutions used in the exponentially increasing fertilizer treatments. Black spruce seedlings grew fastest, had significantly more root development or had a higher efficiency of nitrogen uptake when nutrients were applied at exponentially increasing amounts. In contrast, white spruce grew more rapidly when fertilized with a constant level of fertilizer (control treatment). Biomass allocation and nitrogen concentrations in seedlings of both species varied significantly with treatment, indicating that various levels of nitrogen stress had been achieved. It is suggested that different seedling stock types, which are acclimated to various levels of nutrient stress, can be produced by controlling the rate of nutrient addition.     

A method for trapping hylobius abietis (L.) with a standardized bait and its potential for forecasting seedling damage

A method for trapping walking Hylobius abietis (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was developed and evaluated. Synergism between α‐pinene and ethanol in attracting H. abietis was confirmed. The effects of varying release rates of these substances and of adding other host terpenes were studied. A simple bait was developed containing α‐pinene and ethanol released from separate vials. The correlation between trap catch and seedling damage was estimated during May, June, and August on 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year‐old clear‐cuttings. In May and June, population levels were relatively high on all clear‐cuttings and no significant correlations were found. The August experiment showed a strong positive correlation between catch and damage. The percentage damaged seedlings per captured weevil was considerably higher in August than in May or June. Possibilities for developing a system for forecasting seedling damage using this trapping method are discussed.     

酸枣直播建园苗木生长规律研究

为了解酸枣直播后当年苗木的生长规律,开展了不同播种时间出苗率、生长量的调查研究,结果表明：酸枣的高生长量主要取决于酸枣的播种时间。直播Ⅰ（4月25日）和直播Ⅱ（5月6日）高生长量之间无差异,与直播Ⅲ（5月16日）之间有差异,直播Ⅰ和直播Ⅱ较直播Ⅲ高生长量分别提高24.7%和21.8%;不同播种时间之间在酸枣苗粗度生长方面差异显著,4月下旬播种的地径生长量最大,5月上旬播种的次之,5月中旬播种的粗生长量最小;酸枣直播建园在该区域播种时间应以4月下旬或5月上旬为宜;酸枣幼苗抽梢展叶后进入初生期,生长35～42d,之后进入速生期,快速生长50d,地径快速生长期在7月上中旬至8月中旬,8月下旬停止生长。     

Influence of Stem Diameter on the Survival and Growth of Containerized Norway Spruce Seedlings Attacked by Pine Weevils (Hylobius spp.)

Pine weevils (Hylobius spp.) feeding on stem bark of young conifer seedlings pose a serious threat to forest regeneration-planting programmes in Nordic countries. This study was designed to determine the threshold diameter for planted, untreated containerized seedlings, above which pine weevils cause little or no damage. The effects of sublethal weevil damage on seedling growth were also assessed. In total, 5320 containerized spruce seedlings were planted on scarified and unscarified plots on three sites in southern Sweden. Seedlings in six size classes, which differed with regard to age (1.5-3.5 yrs) and cultivation density (28-446 seedlings m 2) were grown using the Combicell system. None of the seedlings was treated with insecticides, except for those in the smallest class, where both untreated and treated seedlings were used. Inspections were made periodically during the first 3 yrs and after both 5 and 7 yrs. A statistically significant relationship was found between seedling losses due to pine weevil attack and seedling stem-base diameter at the time of planting out, on both scarified and unscarified plots. For seedlings with a stem-base diameter of around 10 mm, mortality due to pine weevil attack on scarified plots was low enough to be considered negligible. This threshold diameter was several millimetres greater for seedlings planted on unscarified plots. An analysis of the relationship between the extent of weevil damage and seedling growth rate showed that among surviving seedlings, those that grew fast tended to show low levels of damage. On unscarified plots, the mortality rate amongst seedlings treated once with a permethrin insecticide was only one-third that of untreated seedlings. On scarified plots, the corresponding difference was somewhat smaller. Repeated insecticide treatment resulted in a pronounced reduction in seedling mortality on the unscarified plots, whereas the effect was weaker on scarified plots.