Field performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus halepensis</Emphasis> planted in Mediterranean arid conditions: relative influence of seedling morphology and mineral nutrition |
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Authors: | Juan A Oliet Rosa Planelles Francisco Artero Rosario Valverde Douglass F Jacobs Maria L Segura |
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Institution: | 1.ETS, Ingenieros de Montes,Universidad Politécnica de Madrid,Madrid,Spain;2.EUIT Forestal,Universidad Politécnica de Madrid,Madrid,Spain;3.Departamento de Medio Ambiente,Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria,Madrid,Spain;4.ETS, Ingenieros Agrónomos y de Montes,Universidad de Córdoba,Córdoba,Spain;5.Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center,Purdue University,West Lafayette,USA;6.IFAPA, Centro La Mojonera,Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa. Junta de Andalucía,La Mojonera,Spain |
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Abstract: | In Mediterranean arid regions, relatively small planting stock has traditionally been used in an attempt to reduce drought
susceptibility, though few studies have examined influences of initial seedling morphology and nutrition on long-term plantation
establishment. We fertilized Pinus halepensis Mill. seedlings in the nursery with controlled release fertilizer (CRF) varying in formulations and rates; 9-13-18 and 17-10-10
(N-P-K) formulations at 3, 5 and 7 g l−1 substrate plus an unfertilized control and we evaluated growth and survival 7 years after planting in arid conditions in
Almería province, southeast Spain. Interactions between initial height and fertilizer treatments occurred during the first
3 years; initial size advantages of specific fertilizer treatments (7 g l−1 of 9-13-18 and 17-10-10 at 3 g l−1) persisted after 7 years. The largest and most nutrient-rich seedlings from 9-13-18 at 7 g l−1 (41.0 cm tall, 4.4 mg of P per g of root tissue at time of planting) exhibited the highest survival after 7 years (79%),
while survival declined to 42% for non-fertilized plants (12.9 cm tall and 0.6 mg of P per g of root tissue). Initial seedling
morphological parameters were most consistently correlated with field performance. Root P concentration was the nutrient variable
most closely related to survival. Our data emphasizes importance of longer-term experiments to accurately assess influences
of nursery treatments on field responses, particularly in arid areas. We suggest that larger seedlings with greater nutrient
reserves than are currently being used should be incorporated into Mediterranean plantations. |
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Keywords: | Aleppo pine Fertilization Forest restoration Nitrogen Phosphorus Reforestation |
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