An overview of Ontario's Stock Quality Assessment Program

Since 1992, the Stock Quality Assessment Program at the Ontario Forest Research Institute (OFRI) has offered seedling physiological testing services to foresters and nursery managers. The purpose of this program is to improve nursery stock quality and plantation performance by developing and applying procedures for assessing the physiological quality of nursery stock. Two levels of testing are available: Seedling Certification and Problem Stock Testing. Testing at both levels involves a visual assessment, measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence of the foliage and root growth potential. Applying these tests has directly improved plantation establishment between 1992 and 1995 by preventing over 3 million damaged seedlings from being planted, at an estimated regeneration cost savings of over $2 million (Can). Consideration of cost-benefits for both direct and indirect values demonstrates the merits of a stock testing program. Testing has been conducted either at OFRI or at a private lab, providing clients with an impartial assessment of their stock. Consistent test results, comparable from year-to-year and between laboratories, are achieved by the use of controlled environment testing, trained personnel and duplicate testing on selected stocklots. A database comprised of physiological test information for over 1100 stocklots provides a basis for comparing and ranking seedlings grown throughout the province. This database may be used to refine operational nursery practices, to evaluate changes in seedling quality over time, and to relate seedling quality to field performance.