Mulching effects on vegetation recovery following high severity wildfire in north-central Washington State,USA

Straw mulch application after high severity wildfire has gained favor in recent years due to its efficacy in reducing soil erosion hazards. However, possible collateral effects of mulching on post-fire vegetation recovery have received relatively little study. We assessed mulching effects on plant cover and species richness, tree seedling establishment, and exotic species densities in the second year following the 2006 Tripod Wildfire in north-central Washington State, USA, by observing vegetation responses to spatial variability in mulch cover and depth. Mulch cover averaged about 35%, with a median depth of 0.5 cm. Vegetation recovery was generally slow, with median plant cover of only 10%. Tree seedling densities were low and spatially variable. Vegetative cover, species richness, and seedling densities all declined with increasing elevation. Mulch cover was positively associated with plant cover, plant species richness, and conifer seedling densities when second year mulch cover did not exceed 40%. Only when mulch cover exceeded 70% did mulching begin to negatively affect vegetation recovery relative to areas with no mulch. Vegetation responses to mulch depth were minimal at depths under 3 cm, but quite strong when mulch depth exceeded 5 cm. Exotic plant frequency and density were positively associated with mulch cover, but exotic plant cover was low on average (<1%). In this study, mulch added significant cover to sites with slow natural recovery of vegetation, thereby likely reducing erosion hazard. Mulching also appears to have facilitated native plant recovery and conifer seedling establishment except at very high application levels, easing management concerns about longer-term impacts of mulching treatments on post-fire vegetation recovery.     

不同覆盖物对红松播种苗床土壤特性及育苗效果的影响

为了解不同覆盖物对红松播种苗床土壤日蒸发量、土壤表层温度和种子出苗率及幼苗生长的影响,开展了不同覆盖物红松播种试验.结果 表明:不同覆盖物下土壤日蒸发量由大到小依次为CK、河沙、草炭土、松针、锯末和豆秸;河沙覆盖的土壤表层温度最高,其次是松针覆盖,豆秸覆盖的最低,锯末和草炭土覆盖下的土壤温度两者相差不大;松针、草炭土、...     

Frost tolerance of two-year-old Picea glauca seedlings grown under different irrigation regimes in a forest nursery

Abstract

This study examined the impact of increased irrigation efficiency on the hardening and frost tolerance of 2-year-old containerized white spruce seedlings in the context of groundwater protection, irrigation management and the maintenance of seedling quality in northern climates. The seedlings were grown under three different irrigation regimes (IR =30%, 40% and 55% v/v; cm³ H₂O/cm³ substrate) and were hardened under conditions of natural photoperiod and temperature. After being subjected to artificial frost tests on four sampling dates during autumn, the seedlings were compared for bud development and frost tolerance. IR had no influence on frost tolerance as determined by measurements of physiological (electrolyte leakage, root water loss) and morphological (shoot damage, root initiation) variables. At the end of the second growing season, there was no significant difference between IRs in seedling height, root collar diameter, shoot dry mass and root dry mass. The results indicate that the amount of water applied to large-dimension 2-year-old white spruce seedlings during the growing season can be significantly decreased without prematurely impeding their growth or hindering their acquisition of frost tolerance.     

Inoculation of fumigated nursery soil increases nodulation and yield of bare-root red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.)

To determine if inoculation increases nodulation and yield of bare-root red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.), fumigated nursery plots were treated with inoculum and ammonium sulfate (28 kg N ha^–1) in a factorial experiment. Inoculum was alder soil with 100 infective units of Frankia g^–1. Seedlings were evaluated for nodulation at age 10 wk and when lifted, at age 9 mo. Inoculation produced earlier and more extensive nodulation and increased seedling root collar diameter, height, and dry weight. Fertilization decreased seedling height, but did not decrease nodulation. No interaction of fertilization with inoculation was found. Inoculated unfertilized plots had the highest yield of packable seedlings (257 m^–2), and uninoculated fertilized seedlings had the lowest yield (126 m^–2).     

Growing environment and container type influence field performance of black spruce container stock

Black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) overwintered container crops produced in four container types spanning a range of container sizes and seedling rearing densities were compared for two consecutive years. In 1989 two growing environments (greenhouse and outdoors) were compared. In 1990 three growing environments (greenhouse, coldframe, and outdoors) and two hardening regimes (short day and natural) were compared. Seedlings were outplanted during the spring of 1989 and 1990 and total height and survival were assessed for five years.The outdoor-grown crop was shorter, smaller in root collar diameter and had less dry weight at time of planting than the crops produced in the greenhouse (1989 study) and in the greenhouse and coldframe (1990 study). Although the greenhouse crops in both studies were larger at time of planting, the outdoor-grown crops (1989 and 1990) and coldframe-grown crop (1990) displayed significantly greater annual height increment in the first two years after planting. The enhanced early height growth of the outdoor-grown crops may be due to the natural acclimation created by their growing environment.Seedlings grown in a large volume container, at a low plant density (441 plants/m²), had significantly larger root collar diameters and total dry weights at time of planting than seedlings grown in a smaller volume container at a high plant density. Stem volume production in the field was greater on seedlings from larger volume containers grown at low densities.     

不同播种密度对楸树砧木梓树幼苗的生长影响研究

对梓树3个种源当年生幼苗进行砧木培育,通过不同密度的播种和移栽,选出在天水地区以种源A最为适宜培育,播种移栽密度以19株/m2为宜,当年生苗木平均地径可达8.85 mm;苗木地径与平均侧根长、地上部鲜质量、地下部鲜质量、地上部干质量、地下部干质量呈正相关性,与苗高、叶数、根数、主根长无显著相关性;各种源苗木生物量与平均侧根长呈正相关,与主根长无显著相关性。     

Growth and nutrient dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula alnoides</Emphasis> seedlings under exponential fertilization

Betula alnoides is a fast-growing hardwood species grown in large plantations in Southeast Asia and South China. Nitrogen requirements for producing robust seedlings, growth and nutrient dynamics were investigated using exponential fertilization treatments. Root collar diameter, height, dry mass and nutrient contents of seedlings increased exponentially in all fertilization treatments as time progressed. Moreover, with water soluble fertilizer (Plant Products plus microelements N–P₂O₅–K₂O: 20–20–20), 300 mg N seedling^?1 was adequate. Vector analysis revealed that P was the most responsive nutrient element, followed by N and K. Dilutions of N and K were evident in the plants without N addition, which induced initial P sufficiency and then luxury consumption probably due to the antagonistic interaction between N and P. However, deficiencies of N, P and K were mostly observed in all exponential regimes during the experiment because seedling growth rate exceeded nutrient uptake rate, inferring that further study on improving the nutrient uptake efficiency is needed. Analysis of relationships among nutrient supply, dry mass, N content and N concentration demonstrated that 100–400 mg N seedling^?1 induced sufficiency to luxury consumption of nitrogen without significant change in dry mass, and 400 mg N seedling^?1 is recommended to apply for nutrient loading of seedlings before outplanting. The findings will help improve seedling quality and enhance the production of robust seedlings for plantation forestry of this species.     

Seedling emergence, growth, and allocation of Oriental bittersweet: effects of seed input, seed bank, and forest floor litter

The establishment of invasive plant populations is controlled by seed input, survival in the soil seed bank, and effects of soil surface disturbance on emergence, growth, and survival. We studied the invasive vine Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (Oriental bittersweet) to determine if seedlings in forest understory germinate from the seed bank or from seed rain. We also conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the role of leaf litter mass and physical texture on seedling survival, growth, and allocation. In the understory of an invaded mixed hardwood forest, we measured seed input, seedling emergence with seed rain, and seedling emergence without seed rain. Mean seed rain was 168 seeds m⁻²: mean seedling emergence was 107 m⁻², and there was a strong correlation between seed rain and seedling emergence. The ratio of seedlings to seed input (0.61) was close to the seed viability (0.66) leaving very few seeds to enter the seed bank. Seed bank germination under field conditions was low (1 seedling m⁻²). Soil cores were incubated in a greenhouse to determine seed bank viability, and germination from these soil cores did not occur. To determine how litter affects seedling establishment and growth, we measured seedling emergence and biomass allocation in a greenhouse experiment. Seeds were placed below intact and fragmented deciduous leaf litter in amounts ranging from zero to the equivalent of 16 Mg ha⁻¹. Seedling emergence was not affected by fragmented litter, but decreased to <20% as intact litter increased to 16 Mg ha⁻¹. Increasing litter resulted in greater allocation to hypocotyl and less to cotyledon and radicle, and this effect was greater in intact litter. C. orbiculatus seedlings achieve emergence through forest floor litter through plasticity in allocation to hypocotyl growth. The low survival of C. orbiculatus in the seed bank suggests that eradication of seedling advance regeneration and adult plants prior to seed rain may be an effective control strategy. However, the intact forest floor litter of an undisturbed forest will not prevent seedling establishment.     

A review of ecophysiologically-based seedling specifications for temperate Australian eucalypt plantations

The Australian hardwood plantation estate has significantly expanded in the last decade. Key production issues included: (1) will Eucalyptus nitens Maiden seedlings produced in nurseries on relatively mild sites be susceptible to transplant shock and browsing on cold out-planting sites and can this be managed? And; (2) what specifications should be required of nursery producers for Eucalyptus globulus Labill seedlings for out-planting on mild ex-pasture sites? This review outlines the research conducted in order to address these key questions. Nitrogen deprivation in the nursery induced accumulation of foliar anthocyanin which conferred hardiness to low temperature. Target specifications of 8–10?g/kg foliar nitrogen are recommended. Height of >120?mm, root collar diameter >2.8?mm, seedling container volume of ≥85?cm³, depth of ≥73?mm, density of ≥549?cells/m² and foliar nitrogen concentration of 15–20?g/kg were found to be key specifications for optimal E. globulus growth following planting onto mild ex-pasture sites. Exponential nutrient loading was a useful technique for attaining target foliar N concentrations. Seedling size was found not to affect growth of E. globulus post-planting on mild ex-pasture sites. However, large seedlings were preferentially browsed on high vertebrate-browse-pressure sites in Tasmania (poisons are banned and shooting is not effective on some sites) that did not affect subsequent growth rate but did increase the incidence of double-leaders. The ‘target seedling concept’ is applicable to eucalypts for Australian planting sites: specifications attained in the nursery should be matched to the factors limiting growth on the planting sites.     

Container characteristics influence Pinus pinea seedling development in the nursery and field

The growth and development of Pinus pinea seedlings grown in different containers was followed through one growing season in the nursery and 3 years following outplanting in the field. The variables studied in the nursery were height, diameter, biomass of shoots and roots, nutrient uptake and root density. The measured field variables, height and diameter increment and survival, were correlated with the nursery variables. Container volume had the greatest influence on plant morphology. Containers with larger rooting volume had seedlings with larger height and diameter, greater nutrient content, and better field performance. Growing density was correlated with seedling morphology and nutrient concentration in the nursery. Among the variables that influenced container volume, the diameter of the container was the most important, while the depth of the container had a minor influence on seedling morphology.The best indicator of seedling development in the nursery was the ratio of container depth to container diameter, and the optimum ratio was 4. All containers produced seedlings with some root spiralling, including those containers with ribs. There was no relationship between either the number of spiralling roots or the angle of spiralling and container characteristics. Furthermore, root spiralling did not influence seedling performance following outplanting. Root density (root biomass/cm³) was inversely correlated with container volume but there was no correlation with either depth or growing density. The largest plants were produced with container volumes of 300–400 cm³, depth/diameter ratios of 4, and growing densities of 200–300 seedlings/m². These growing conditions will result in larger Pinus pinea seedlings coming out of the nursery, which will increase growth following outplanting.     

覆盖基质及播种时间对白皮松出苗的影响

在相同的整地、种子处理、播种方式、苗期管理与病虫害防治措施的情况下，研究不同覆盖基质及播种时间对白皮松出苗及苗木生长的影响。结果表明：1）白皮松播种育苗选用腐殖质土作为覆盖基质出苗率最高，达93％；感病率最低，仅为6．5％；高生长量最大，达5．6cm。2）在吕梁山南端白皮松播种时间为5月5日前后较为适宜，出苗整齐，出苗率高。     

沙地樟子松不同切根密度育苗的研究

通过对 14个切根密度苗的研究得出樟子松切根苗密度不同 ,质量也不同 ,苗木的径根比随密度的增大而增大 ;苗大的干物质随密度的增大而降低 ,地上部分干物质大于地下部分干物质 ;造林成活率随径根比的减小而增大 ;苗木密度在 12 0～ 2 2 0株 m2 之间是苗木质量较好且获得较大效益的合理密度 ;苗圃可根据经济评价指标确定适合自己的合理密度。     

工业和住宅污泥对大叶相思种子萌发以及幼苗生长参数的影响

在孟加拉国吉大港大学林业与环境科学院苗圃内,评价了污泥对大叶相思种子萌发以及幼苗生长的作用。播种前,将污泥与营养匮乏的自然林土壤按不同比率混合,分别在播种后的第1,2和3个月时,记录种子萌发情况和幼苗生长参数（枝条和根系的长度、直径、枝条的鲜重和干重、根和总的干物质量）。在播种前和幼苗采收后,分别测定各个处理的污泥-土壤混合物的理化参数（pH值、有机碳、氮、磷、钾）,以及重金属含量（铬、镍、锰、镉、锌）。结果表明,与对照相比,污泥-森林土壤混合物中播种的种子萌发率和幼苗生长参数发生显著变化。土壤-污泥按2：1混合时,种子萌发率最高（90%）,幼苗生长速率和生物量最大,有机碳和氮磷钾含量也最高。混有工业污泥的土壤中重金属含量要高于混有住宅污泥的土壤。在工业污泥土壤中,污泥-土壤按1：1混合时,重金属含量最高。据此推荐,在退化森林土壤中,土壤-污泥以2：1混合较适合大叶相思种子萌发和幼苗生长。     

The regeneration characteristics of Picea jezoensis and Abies sachalinensis on cut stumps in the sub-boreal forests of Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest

The regeneration characteristics of Picea jezoensis Carr. and Abies sachalinensis Masters on cut stumps in natural forest under selection cutting and natural regeneration were studied in a sub-boreal forest of the Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest. The following points were investigated: (1) what decay class of cut stumps are suitable for regeneration of the two conifer species; (2) what part, either a root collar or a cut surface, of a cut stump is suitable for regeneration; and (3) what percentages of cut stumps support conifer seedlings. The percentages of cut stumps that supported conifer seedlings increased as the decay class advanced, but slightly decreased in the latest stage of decay class, V. Both P. jezoensis and A. sachalinensis seedling densities per cut stump and per square meter of cut stumps increased as the decay class advanced. Some root collars in decay class IV supported A. sachalinensis seedlings, but few supported P. jezoensis. Densities of P. jezoensis per cut surface and per square meter of cut surface in decay class IV were higher than those of A. sachalinensis. On the other hand, densities of A. sachalinensis per root collar and per square meter of root collar in decay class IV were higher than those of P. jezoensis. Cut stumps in advanced decay classes are more suitable for regeneration of P. jezoensis and A. sachalinensis than those in early decay classes. Whereas a cut surface is more suitable for regeneration of P. jezoensis, a root collar is more suitable for regeneration of A. sachalinensis. Cut stumps are not sufficient to ensure enough conifer regeneration because not all conifer cut stumps in advanced decay classes support conifer seedlings.     

Effect of density control and undercutting on root morphology of 1+0 bareroot hardwood seedlings: five-year field performance of root-graded stock in the central USA

The Hardwood Quality Nursery Cooperative (bareroot forest nurseries in 5 midwestern states) initiated a series of studies in 1987 to evaluate red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) seedling performance as a function of cultural treatments and seedling root system morphology.Seedlings were grown at three densities (32, 64, and 128 stems m^-2for red oak; 32, 64, and 96 stems m^-2for black walnut), and half of the density plots were undercut. Seedlings received fertilizer, weeding, and irrigation treatments customary to their respective nurseries. Seedlings were lifted, measured, and outplanted in their respective states as completely random individual tree plots during spring 1988. Survival, height, and diameter were evaluated annually through 1992.Seedling height, diameter, and number of permanent first-order lateral roots (FOLR) decreased with increasing bed density. At a given density, undercutting produced smaller seedlings (for both height and diameter) that had greater numbers of FOLR. Numbers of FOLR influenced seedling performance after outplanting. Red oak seedlings with at least 5 FOLR and black walnut with at least 7 FOLR had better survival and growth than seedlings with fewer roots.     

Machine vision for conifer seedling quality control

A PC-based line-scan machine vision system providing rapid measurement of bare-root seedling morphological features has been developed. Designed for quality control and morphological data acquisition by nursery personnel, the machine provides a user-friendly, menu-driven graphical interface. Individual seedlings are manually placed on a conveyor belt and inspected in less than 0.25 seconds.The machine automatically locates the root collar and measures stem diameter, shoot height, sturdiness ratio, root mass length, projected shoot and root area, shoot-root area ratio, and percent fine roots. Sample statistics are computed for each measured feature. Measurements for each seedling may be stored for later analysis. Feature measurements may be compared with multi-class quality criteria to determine sample quality or to perform multi-class sorting. Statistical summary and classification reports may be printed to facilitate the communication of quality concerns with grading personnel.Tests were conducted at a USDA Forest Service nursery to evaluate measurement precision. Four quality control personnel measured root collar diameter, shoot height, and root mass length on 100 2--0 Douglas fir and 100 2--0 Ponderosa pine seedlings. The same seedlings were inspected four times by the machine. Root collar diameter measurement standard deviation of the machine was 25% that of manual measurements. Machine and manual measurements had comparable precision for shoot height and root mass length.     

Effects of Seedbed Density on One-Year-Old <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fraxinus angustifolia</Emphasis> Seedling Characteristics and Outplanting Performance

To assess the effects of seedling spacing on one-year-old seedling morphology in the nursery, seeds of three provenances of Fraxinus angustifolia were sown at five different seedling spacings within rows of two different spacings in the seedbed. Subsequent growth performance of one-year-old seedlings was assessed by planting in the forest. Within row spacings were: 4.3, 5.0, 6.3, 8.3, and 12.5 cm, and there were five rows at 20 cm apart, or three rows at 33 cm apart across the 1.2 m wide seedbeds. Both spacings within and between rows significantly affected shoot height, root collar diameter, root dry weight and shoot dry weight, but not root/shoot ratio. Wider spacings produced larger seedlings, but only the wider spacing within rows significantly increased fine and coarse root mass. Provenances showed significant differences in diameter, root/shoot ratio, and fine and coarse roots, and they also showed interactions with row spacings in height and diameter measurements. One year after outplanting, diameter growth was significantly related to provenance, and diameter growth was 88% greater for trees from 33 cm nursery row spacing than those from 20 cm nursery row spacing.     

育苗基质对榉树容器苗质量的影响

【目的】为了筛选出适于榉树容器苗生长的最佳基质配比,以提高榉树容器苗的培育质量。【方法】以泥炭土、珍珠岩、蛭石、锯木屑和腐殖土5种材料为原料,按照一定的比例配制成6种基质,以此6种配方基质为供试的育苗基质(其处理编号分别为T1、T2、T3、T4、T5、T6),选择10 cm×5 cm×5 cm的无纺布袋作为育苗容器,进行了榉树容器育苗试验。测定了榉树容器苗的出苗率、形态指标、生物量及生理指标等19个指标,并采用隶属函数法对以不同配方基质培育的容器苗的苗木质量进行了综合评价。【结果】6种基质处理的出苗率从大到小依次为T3>T5>T1>T2>T6>T4,其中T3基质处理的出苗率最高,T4基质处理的出苗率最低,T3基质处理的出苗率是T4基质处理的出苗率的3.47倍;T1基质处理的苗高、地径均极显著高于其他基质处理的,T2基质处理的叶片数显著高于除T1和T5外的其他基质处理的。T2基质处理的侧枝数显著高于其他基质处理的,不同基质处理间容器苗的高径比、侧根数、主根长均无显著差异;T1基质处理的茎干质量、根干质量、苗木干质量及其质量指数均极显著高于其他基质处理的,不同基质处理间容器苗的茎根比无显著差异;T1基质处理的根系活力强度和叶绿素a含量均极显著高于除T2外的其他基质处理的,T2基质处理的叶绿素总量极显著高于除T1外的其他基质处理的,不同基质处理间容器苗的叶绿素b、叶绿素a/b之值均无显著差异,T4基质处理的净光合速率最低,极显著低于其他基质处理的。【结论】采用模糊数学的隶属函数法综合评价得出:以T1基质(其配比为:腐殖土∶泥炭土∶珍珠岩=2∶1∶1)培育的榉树容器苗其质量最好,这种配方基质是榉树容器苗的最佳育苗基质。     

龙芽楤木食药兼用林的培育技术

为了探寻食药兼用龙芽楤木的培育技术,以有效开发与合理利用这一野生植物资源,以1年生龙芽楤木容器苗为试材进行了人工栽培试验.结果表明:栽植密度对龙芽楤木苗木当年高生长和地径生长没有明显的影响.栽植当年,龙芽楤木单株苗木地上部分(茎干)的鲜质量为88.9 g,根系鲜质量达到299.7 g,单株根皮干质量达到了53.3g,根...     

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantations contribute to the regeneration of holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) in mediterranean central Spain

The aim of this study is to evaluate the recruitment possibilities of holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) populations under Pinus sylvestris plantations in the mountains of Central Spain. Population recruitment of holly under P. sylvestris L. plantations was studied at two localities. We sampled holly seed rain, seed bank, and seedling emergence and survival (of both emerged and planted seedlings) in both localities. Seed germination was analysed by randomly sowing Ilex seeds and their subsequent recollection and analysis over the following 3 years (only in one locality). Seed rain, seed bank and emerged seedling densities did not differ between localities. Seed bank density was between 10 and 20 seeds m⁻², considerably higher than the observed seed rain (0.4–1.2 seeds m⁻²), and also higher than the emerged seedling density (0–4 seedlings m⁻²). But Ilex is not very efficient in germinating under pine forests (29.1% germination after 3 years). This may indicate a seed accumulation process of at least 5 years. Seedling survival for the first year differed among the studied sites (50–60 vs. 17%). Nevertheless these survival rates are higher than those found for the same seedling populations in different forest habitats (not Scots pine forests) from near locations. Differences in summer water stress between the study sites are proposed as the main cause of the observed differences in seedling survival. It is concluded that P. sylvestris forests may provide one of the best regeneration habitats for holly in the Mediterranean area, where this species is close to the Southern limit of its distribution.