Performance and nutrient dynamics of holm oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis> L.) seedlings in relation to nursery nutrient loading and post-transplant fertility

Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings were exponentially (E) nutrient loaded using incremental increases in fertilizer addition or conventionally (C) fertilized using a constant fertilizer rate during nursery culture. The fertility treatments (mg N plant⁻¹) were control (0), 25E, 100E, and 100C. Subsequently, 1-year-old plants were transplanted under simulated soil fertility gradients in a greenhouse to evaluate effects of nutrient loading and post-transplant fertility on seedling performance. Post-transplant fertility consisted of fertilizing plants at two rates (0 vs. 200 mg N plant⁻¹). A water-soluble fertilizer 20-20-20 was supplied in both nursery and post-transplant experiments. Nutrient loading increased plant N content by 73% in 100E and by 75% in 100C relative to controls, although no significant differences were detected between constant and exponential fertilization regimes at the 100 mg N plant⁻¹ rate. When transplanted, nutrient loading promoted post-transplant root growth relative to shoot, implicating potential to confer competitive advantage to loaded holm oak seedlings after trans-planting. In contrast, post-transplant fertility increased new shoot dry mass by 140% as well as N, P and K content relative to controls. Results suggest that holm oak seedlings can be successfully nutrient loaded in the nursery at higher fertility rates, improving its potential to extend new roots, but alternative fertilization regimes and schedules that better fit nutrient availability to the growth rhythm and conservative strategy of this species must be tested.     

Combined effects of pre-hardening and fall fertilization on nitrogen translocation and storage in Quercus variabilis seedlings

Maintaining proper seedling nitrogen status is important for outplanting success. Fall fertilization of evergreen conifer seedlings is a well-known technique for averting nitrogen (N) dilution caused by continued seedling growth during hardening. For deciduous seedlings, this technique is much less understood, and regardless of foliage type, the interaction of N status prior to fall fertilization and the rate of fall fertilization have yet to be fully explored. Therefore, we fertilized Quercus variabilis container seedlings with either 25, 100, or 150 mg total N seedling^?1, applied exponentially, during a 23-week pre-hardening regime, followed by either 0, 12, or 24 mg total N seedling^?1 applied during hardening (i.e., fall fertilization) in equal aliquots for 4 weeks. For seedlings without supplemental N during hardening, N concentration in stems and roots increased significantly despite substantial growth. The absence of N dilution was attributed to N translocation from foliage to these tissues, which was independent of pre-hardening N status. Overall, 32 % of foliar N was translocated and accounted for 75 % of the total N increase in stems and roots. Final stem N status was a function of pre-hardening fertilization, whereas root N concentration was affected by the interaction of pre-hardening and fall fertilization. Roots appear to be the main site of N storage, and root N content was significantly affected by pre-hardening and fall fertilization, but not their interaction. A combination of pre-hardening and fall fertilizer at a rate of 100 and 24 mg total N seedling^?1, respectively, yielded seedlings with the largest root systems.     

Premature shoot growth termination allows nutrient loading of seedlings with an indeterminate growth strategy

Nutrient loading of nursery seedling stock of species with an indeterminate growth strategy is challenging and poorly understood. Here, we explore the use of two potential techniques for nutrient loading of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) seedlings: (1) exponential fertilization and (2) early shoot growth termination in order to divert assimilated nutrients and carbon to storage rather than to growth. In the first study, aspen seedlings were treated with either exponential or constant fertilization rates, both of which supplied the same amount of nutrients over the growing season. Exponential fertilization resulted in overall poor planting stock form (stunted seedling growth and weak root development) and produced only marginal improvements of nutrient status. As a result, the exponential fertilization regime studied cannot be recommended as a treatment for aspen seedlings. In the second study we treated seedlings with a 2 × 2 factorial combination of fertilization and shoot growth inhibitor (SGI) applications with the fertilizer treatments varying in terms of mid-season fertilizer concentrations. Seedlings with SGI application had much higher tissue nutrient and carbon reserve concentrations than seedlings without a SGI application. In addition, nutrient uptake appeared to be more efficient in SGI treated seedlings, which could potentially result in significant reductions of nutrient application rates during aspen seedling production in nurseries. Overall, early shoot growth termination using a SGI appears to be an effective technique to produce nutrient loaded aspen seedlings.     

Growth, allocation and tissue chemistry of Picea abies seedlings affected by nutrient supply during the second growing season

One-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were grown hydroponically in a growth chamber to investigate the effects of low and high nutrient availability (LN; 0.25 mM N and HN; 2.50 mM N) on growth, biomass allocation and chemical composition of needles, stem and roots during the second growing season. Climatic conditions in the growth chamber simulated the mean growing season from May to early October in Flakaliden, northern Sweden. In the latter half of the growing season, biomass allocation changed in response to nutrient availability: increased root growth and decreased shoot growth led to higher root/shoot ratios in LN seedlings than in HN seedlings. At high nutrient availability, total biomass, especially stem biomass, increased, as did total nonstructural carbohydrate and nitrogen contents per seedling. Responses of stem chemistry to nutrient addition differed from those of adult trees of the same provenance. In HN seedlings, concentrations of alpha-cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin decreased in the secondary xylem. Our results illustrate the significance of retranslocation of stored nutrients to support new growth early in the season when root growth and nutrient uptake are still low. We conclude that nutrient availability alters allocation patterns, thereby influencing the success of 2-year-old Norway spruce seedlings at forest planting sites.     

Growth regulation of Scots pine seedlings with different fertilizer compositions and regimes

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings were grown in containers filled with peat, using two different fertilizers and three different fertilizer regimes. Seedling shoot and root growth and shoot content of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus were followed in the nursery and after outplanting in the field. Attempts to regulate growth rate by an exponential nutrient supply were not successful, but the root/shoot ratio was influenced by the fertilization regime. Internal nitrogen concentration was stable only for seedlings with low relative growth rate, while seedlings with high nutrient supply in the nursery showed strong nutrient dilution in the shoot after planting.     

Influence of different nursery container media on rooting of Scots pine and silver birch seedlings after transplanting

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) seedlings were grown in containers filled with growth media based on medium-textured sphagnum peat, coarse perlite and fine sand. The seedlings were then planted into fine and coarse sandy soils in 2.2 l pots, which were subjected to two water-content treatments (only one for birch). After the seedlings had grown five weeks in a greenhouse, rooting into the surrounding soil and shoot growth were measured. Addition of perlite and sand to peat medium slightly affected rooting; thus suggesting minor effects on seedling establishment. However, nitrogen concentration of the seedlings varied between growth media and correlated positively with rooting into the soil. The particle size and water content of the soil affected considerably rooting of the seedlings. Seedling height at the time of planting did not affect rooting or shoot growth. The fact that the fewest out-grown roots occurred in the dry fine sandy soil, suggests that dry soil together with high strength and resistance to root penetration reduce rooting and water uptake by container seedlings most and may thus cause water and nutrient stresses to seedlings after outplanting.     

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.     

Responses of xylem cavitation,freezing injury and shoot dieback to a simulated winter thaw in yellow birch seedlings growing in different nursery culture regimes

Seedlings of yellow birch originating from the same seed source were treated with two levels of fertilizers during two growing seasons. The lower level of fertilizers, such as 50 (11:41:08 N:P:K ratio), 100 (20:08:20) and 35 ppm of nitrogen (08:20:30) were applied as the starter, grower and finisher, respectively. The higher level ones consisted of 75, 150, and 100 ppm of nitrogen in the same fertilizers. After 2 years growth, seedlings treated with the higher level of fertilizers, had fewer lateral branches, greater height and larger stem diameter. After natural hardening from November to February, seedlings were subjected to 0, 5, 10, 19 and 27 days of a simulated winter thaw followed by 10 weeks at −10°C. After the thaw-refreeze treatments, series of measurements were carried out. Stem xylem cavitation and root freezing injury significantly increased with thaw duration regardless of levels of fertilizer treatments. Stem freezing injury also significantly increased with thaw duration in all stem segments of seedlings treated with the higher level of fertilizers, but only in the top segments for the seedlings provided with the lower level of fertilizers. However, seedlings treated with the higher level of fertilizers developed cavitation more quickly. After 1 month of growth in the greenhouse following the thaw and freeze treatment, both types of seedlings showed significant decrease in the length of new shoot growth and increase in percent length of shoot dieback with thaw duration. The length of new shoots, however, was always greater for the plants treated with the higher level of fertilizers. No difference of shoot dieback between the seedlings of the two different nursery treatments were observed. Correlation analyses showed that the length of new shoots was highly related to root and stem freezing injury, while dieback was best correlated with root freezing injury and stem xylem cavitation regardless of the levels of fertilizer treatments. It was concluded that (1) the higher level of fertilizer applied during the culture of yellow birch seedlings can accelerate xylem cavitation and dehardening in the stem following freeze–thaw events; (2) stem xylem cavitation was unlikely the cause of stem freezing injury; and (3) root freezing injury and stem xylem cavitation are the most reliable measurements for predicting dieback of potential planting stock, but both root and shoot freezing injury are relate well to regrowth of new shoots in stock exposed to prolonged thaw.     

Is nitrogen fertilization in the nursery a suitable tool for enhancing the performance of Mediterranean oak plantations?

Mediterranean oaks frequently have poor performance in forest restoration projects. We analyzed if nitrogen (N) fertilization during nursery cultivation enhances the outplanting performance of two ecologically distinct oaks, Quercus coccifera L. an evergreen shrub, and Quercus faginea L., a deciduous tree. Additionally, we compared the sufficiency N levels of both oaks and if root growth capacity (RGC) and photosynthesis testing at low air temperature better discriminated among fertilization treatments than testing at mild temperature. Plants were cultivated under five N fertilization rates (0, 30, 75, 150 and 200 mg N plant^?1) for one growing season. At the end of the cultivation period several plant material and performance attributes were measured. RGC and photosynthesis were assessed at mild temperature and cool conditions in Q. coccifera, while in Q. faginea these attributes were only analyzed at mild temperature conditions. Q. coccifera seedlings were transplanted into four terraces that imposed increasing drought stress, while Q. faginea seedlings were transplanted into an abandoned wheat cropland. Sufficiency level was higher for the tree (150 mg N plant^?1) than for the shrub (75 mg N plant^?1) Nitrogen-deprived Q. coccifera plants had higher frost damage than remaining treatments, which did not differ among them. Fertilization in Q. faginea did not affect photosynthesis rate but it delayed leaf senescence and abscission. RGC increased with fertilization in both species. Testing temperature did not change the effect of fertilization on RGC in Q. coccifera. Photosynthesis in cool conditions discriminated N-deprived seedlings from the remaining treatments, but treatments did not differ in photosynthesis at mild temperature. Fertilization enhanced outplanting survival in Q. coccifera, primarily in the terraces imposing stronger drought stress, while fertilization only increased growth in the terraces imposing mild drought stress. Overall, survival and growth was positively related to seedling size at planting in both oaks. Additionally, Q. coccifera survival was also positively related to RGC in the harsh planting conditions. Field growth was positively related to RGC and plant N concentration in both oaks but the relation was weak or nonexistent under harsh conditions in Q. coccifera. We conclude that fertilization in the nursery is an important tool for improving the success of oak plantations in Mediterranean continental sites, and that large and N-rich seedling have greater field performance than small and low tissue N concentration seedlings, especially in harsh field sites.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence,root growth potential,and stomatal conductance as estimates of field performance potential in conifer seedlings

After cold storage, conifer seedlings in British Columbia are tested for field growth potential before planting. We compared three tests of performance potential using container-grown seedlings of Douglas-fir, interior spruce, lodgepole pine, and western larch (14 seedlots total). On several autumn dates, seedlings were lifted and stored at −2°C. The following spring we tested stored seedlings for root growth potential (RGP), chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), and stomatal conductance (Gs), and then planted seedlings in nursery beds. We assessed survival and shoot dry weight (SDW) after one growing season. Performance test results were significantly correlated with each other (r ≥ 0.47) but showed different relationships with field performance, which varied with lift date. The best performance predictor was the sum of CF and RGP (R ² = 0.79 for 78 seedlot by lift-date combinations), which minimized the risk of planting poor seedlings and not planting good seedlings. A sum of 83 for CF (Fv/Fm %) and RGP (new roots >1 cm) provided a threshold above which survival and growth were good. For evergreen conifers, Gs was a good performance predictor, but required extra time to measure leaf area. We recommend a combination of CF and RGP to assess vigor of shoot and root systems before planting. Wolfgang D. Binder––Scientist Emeritus.     

Growth, physiology, and nutrient retranslocation in nitrogen-15 fertilized Quercus rubra seedlings

We evaluated gas exchange, chlorophyll index (CI) using SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter, and leaf nutritional responses in one-year-old northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) container seedlings transplanted into control (unfertilized) or fertilized (0.86 g N plant^?1) sand culture and grown in a greenhouse for 90 days. We labeled current nitrogen (N) uptake with (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ and directly quantified proportional contributions of N derived from fertilizer (NF) compared with retranslocation or N derived from plant (NP) in leaf growth of red oak seedlings. NF met a greater N demand in leaf growth of fertilized plants while unfertilized seedlings relied entirely on NP for their leaf growth. Fertilization increased leaf dry mass by 67% and new stem dry mass by 253% 90 days after transplanting compared to control seedlings. Specific leaf area (SLA) was not significantly altered but CI increased 90 days after transplanting. Higher leaf N concentration and content in fertilized compared with control seedlings was linked to greater chlorophyll concentrations in the former plants. The higher coefficient of determination (r ² = 0.72) noted between leaf N concentrations and CI suggests that the SPAD meter could be a useful tool for assessing leaf N status in northern red oak seedlings. Fertilized seedlings exhibited higher net assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates compared with controls. Increased seedling growth in response to fertilization was related to maintenance of higher gas exchange and greater nutrient uptake, which could improve outplanting success.     

Influence of nutrient supply on spring frost hardiness and time of bud break in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings

When spring frosts occur on recently planted forest sites, severe damage may occur to the seedlings. The aim of the present study was to test how different low levels of nutrient concentrations in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings affected spring frost hardiness and time of bud break. Seedlings were grown in a greenhouse for one season and supplied with fertiliser containing 22, 43 and 72 mg N l^–1, respectively. The treatments resulted in needle nitrogen concentrations ranging from 0.9 to 1.8% in autumn. After winter storage at 0 °C, bud break was recorded on seedlings growing in the greenhouse, outdoors and in growth chambers at 12 °C and at 17 °C. Freezing tests were performed on seedlings directly removed from winter storage and following one week growth in the greenhouse. Seedlings receiving fertiliser with 43 mg N l^–1 had less freezing injury than the two other fertilisation treatments in the present study. The earliest bud break occurred in seedlings receiving 72 mg N l^–1.     

氮素营养对闽楠幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

设置0、50、100、150、200、300、400、600 mg·株-1 8个N处理,通过盆栽试验研究氮素对闽楠苗生长及光合特性的影响.结果表明:随着供氮量的增加,闽楠苗高、地径、叶面积和根、茎、叶及整株生物量均呈现先增加后降低的趋势,其中,苗高、地径和叶面积均在供氮量100 mg·株-1时最高,而各器官生物量及整株生物量均在供氮量150 mg·株-1时最大;根冠比则随着供氮量的增加呈现单调递减趋势;闽楠苗光合特性与生长表现是契合的,随供氮水平的提高,闽楠苗叶绿素a、b及总量先升高后降低,净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间二氧化碳浓度和蒸腾速率值也均呈先仰后抑之势,恰在供氮量100 mg·株-1时,以上光合参数值均达最高,且不同氮素处理间闽楠光合气体交换参数和蒸腾速率差异均显著.综合闽楠苗各生长及光合指标的分析结果,100～150 mg·株-1的供氮量为闽楠苗温室培育的适宜范围.     

Effects of boron fertilization in the nursery or after planting on the performance of Norway spruce seedlings on boron-poor sites

Many forest soils in Finland are poor in boron (B), especially otherwise fertile (nitrogen-rich) soils and peatlands. Boron deficiency causes growth disorders affecting young Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands. We studied the effects of B fertilization on the growth and morphology of Norway spruce seedlings. Boron was applied in a nursery and/or after planting in a nursery-field and on a reforestation site, both known to be low in B. The B applied in the nursery increased foliar B concentration in a linear relationship to the amount of B fertilizer but did not affect seedling growth and morphology. Even the highest foliar B concentration (approx. 400 mg kg^?1) did not have harmful effects on the seedlings. Therefore, B fertilization in the nursery can be used for increasing B storage in needles. Boron fertilization at planting increased foliar B concentration in the first season. Afterward, the concentration decreased but remained above the deficiency limit for at least 4–5 years. In the B-poor nursery-field, nonfertilized seedlings began to produce multiple leaders in the second year. On the reforestation site, fewer multiple leaders were found. At the nursery-field site, height growth was stimulated by B fertilization at planting. In conclusion, 200–400 mg m^?2 (2–4 kg ha^?1) of B applied at planting has longer-lasting effects on seedling B status than does B fertilization applied in the nursery, and can improve seedling quality and growth in the first years after planting on B-poor sites.     

杉木营养平衡与苗木干物质的分配关系

详细研究了不同营养 (N、P、NP)条件下杉木苗木干物质在根冠的分配规律 ,结果表明 ,不同的营养条件可导致苗木光合产物在根冠发生明显再分配 ,苗木的营养状态和根冠干物质分配的关系规律可应用异速生长模型y =axk 来描述和刻划。基于营养与光合产物在根冠的再分配规律及异速生长模型参数k值对营养胁迫反应的敏感性变化规律 ,提出了新的营养平衡理论和营养诊断方法 (称之为苗木群体营养诊断法 )。营养诊断法则为 :(1)在某一营养条件下 ,如果苗木异速生长模型参数k <1时 ,表明根系相对生长速率高于冠层相对生长速率 ,苗木处于营养亏缺状态 ;(2 )当k >1时 ,表明苗木冠层相对生长速率高于根系 ,苗木处于营养过剩状态 ,一般在自然条件下 ,k >1是不会出现的 ;(3)当k =1时 ,表明根系和冠层相对生长速率相等 ,苗木处于营养平衡状态。根据新的营养诊断方法 ,制定了杉木叶片和土壤营养诊断标准 ,并通过大量的杉木幼、中、近熟林施肥试验结果验证了营养平衡理论的正确性。     

Fall fertilization enhanced nitrogen storage and translocation in Larix olgensis seedlings

Fall nutrient loading of deciduous forest nursery seedlings is of special interest because of foliage abscission and varied translocation patterns. For non-deciduous seedlings in the nursery, fall fertilization typically can reverse nutrient dilution and possibly increase nutrient reserves; however, this technique has received little attention with deciduous conifer trees that translocate nutrients before abscising foliage. We evaluated how fall nitrogen (N) fertilization affected N storage and translocation in the deciduous conifer Olga Bay larch (Larix olgensis Henry) seedlings during the hardening period. Seedlings were supplied with 25 mg N seedling^?1 for 15 weeks before hardening and fall fertilization treatments began with a three week application period of K¹⁵NO₃ at 0, 5, 10 and 15 mg N seedling^?1. During the hardening period, fall N fertilization had little effect on seedling morphology. The N concentration and content of needles decreased dramatically as needles abscised, while that of stems and roots increased. Six weeks after fall N fertilization ceased, all seedlings translocated similar net N from their needles. For the control seedlings, this accounted for 84 % of the N stored in stems and roots. For fall fertilized seedlings, however, the proportion of N stored in stems and roots translocated from needles accounted for only 41–61 % of the total because of absorption of fall fertilizer that was translocated directly to stems and roots. Six weeks after fall fertilization, the distribution pattern of N concentration and content in seedlings was found in this order: stems > fine roots > coarse roots > needles. Our results suggest that providing deciduous conifer seedlings N during hardening, in this case Olga Bay larch, is a way to promote nutrient loading during nursery production.     

Nutrient loading of forest tree seedlings to promote stress resistance and field performance: a Mediterranean perspective

The planting environment of Mediterranean areas is highly challenging as summer drought and winter frost jeopardize survival, and soil infertility limits establishment success. We review the potential for seedling nutrient loading to alleviate these post-planting stresses. A growing body of evidence indicates that nitrogen (N) rich seedlings have improved field performance in Mediterranean environments, due to their ability to grow new roots rapidly and out-compete weeds. In addition, frost resistance during hardening is crucial for relatively cold inland nurseries; recent research shows a positive relationship between N and shoot frost resistance though a knowledge gap exists regarding the influence of nutrition on root frost resistance. Some new evidence also implicates phosphorus as an important driver of seedling response in the Mediterranean due to its influence on root growth and physiology. Nutrient status influences other functional attributes critical to survival in Mediterranean areas, such as drought tolerance, root hydraulic conductivity, and mycorrhization. In light of the apparent benefits of high nutrient reserves for seedling performance in Mediterranean areas, we also review techniques for nursery nutrient loading. Exponential fertilization can be applied when species’ growth patterns match this application regime. However, many Mediterranean species exhibit episodic growth indicating that constant or fall fertilization could be more effective in reaching loading. In particular, late-season fertilization has shown good potential to avert nutrient dilution in the fall and increase frost resistance. Several needs for future research are identified, with special emphasis on the necessity to match fertilization regimes to species ecological traits and planting conditions.     

Assessing the effect of late-season fertilization on Holm oak plant quality: insights from morpho–nutritional characterizations and water relations parameters

Forest restoration projects with Holm oak (Quercus ilex) have had limited success, mostly due to water stress after planting and poor plant quality. Recent studies indicated that large and nutrient rich plants perform better in Mediterranean areas, suggesting that late-season fertilization may improve plant quality and field performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of late-season fertilization on the quality of Holm oak seedlings, as determined by morphological, nutritional, and water relations analyses. We grew Holm oak nursery seedlings under 5 different late-season fertilization regimes and then analyzed morphological characteristics, nutritional status, and water relations parameters of the fertilization groups at the end of the nursery period. We also analyzed the effect of fertilization on nutritional status by use of vector nomograms. Our results indicated that late-season NPK fertilization improved shoot and root growth, and the overall nutritional status of seedlings. The lack of late-season fertilization leads to nutrient deficiency in plants, whilst the application of imbalanced fertilization treatments may trigger nutrient luxury consumption and nutrient dilution, pointing out the importance of NPK proportions in the fertilizer. Moreover, late-season fertilization with nitrogen might improve the drought resistance of seedling by enhancing their osmotic adjustment.     

The effect of carbon and nutrient loading during nursery culture on the growth of black spruce seedlings: a six-year field study

We tested the effects of exponential nutrient loading and springtime carbon loading during nursery culture on the field performance of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Seedlings were grown from seed with a conventional, fixed dose fertilizer (10 mg N seedling⁻¹) or an exponential nutrient loading regime (75 mg N seedling⁻¹). The following spring, seedlings were exposed for two weeks to either ambient (370 ppm) or elevated levels of CO₂ (800 ppm) and then planted in the field; seedling growth was followed for the next six years. Exponential nutrient loading increased seedling height, stem diameter and leader growth, with the largest increases in height and leader length occurring in the first three years after outplanting. Carbon loading increased seedling height and leader length, but only in seedlings that had been exponentially nutrient loaded. A combination of carbon and nutrient loading increased shoot height 26%, stem diameter 37% and leader length 40% over trees that received neither treatment. These results demonstrate that the growth enhancement seen under exponential nutrient loading is maintained under field conditions for at least six years. Carbon loading just before outplanting was a useful supplement to nutrient loading, but was ineffective in the absence of nutrient loading.     

Fall fertilization of Pinus resinosa seedlings: nutrient uptake, cold hardiness, and morphological development

? Fall fertilization may increase plant nutrient reserves, yet associated impacts on seedling cold hardiness are relatively unexplored.

? Bareroot red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings in north-central Minnesota, USA were fall fertilized at the end of the first growing season with ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) at 0, 11, 22, 44, or 89 kg N ha^?1. Seedling morphology and cold hardiness [assessed by freeze induced electrolyte leakage (FIEL)] were evaluated six weeks after fertilization and following the second growing season.

? Seedling height and number of needle primordia increased with fertilizer rate for both sampling years. Seedlings fertilized with 44 and 89 kg N ha^?1 attained target height (15 cm) after the second growing season. Shoot and root N concentration increased after the first growing season in fall fertilized seedlings compared to controls. Fall fertilized seedlings had lower FIEL (i.e., increased cold hardiness) compared to controls when tested at ?40 °C after the first growing season, but no significant differences in FIEL of control and fertilized seedlings were observed after the second growing season.

? Results suggest that fall fertilization of red pine seedlings can help render desired target height in the nursery, while maintaining or increasing cold hardiness levels.