污泥对苗圃生长的银合欢幼苗发芽和初期长势的影响

研究了不同类型的污泥(城市的、工业的和住宅污泥)对苗圃生长的银合欢幼苗田间萌发、生长和分枝的影响.播种前先将不同类型污泥的混合物与养分匮乏的自然林土壤混合.播种的3和6月后,记录幼苗大田发芽、分枝状况和其他物理生长参数(枝条或根长、活力指数、茎直径、叶片数、分枝或根鲜重和干重、总的生物量干重增长)等.与对照幼苗相比,混合污泥的土壤中生长的幼苗田间发芽、分枝状况及其他生长参数均发生了显著变化.与其它条件生长的幼苗相比,住宅污泥与土壤混合(1:1)条件生长的3月龄和6月龄幼苗分枝数和分枝鲜或干重均最高.就生长参数而言,住宅污泥与自然林土壤混合(1:1)生长的幼苗长势最好.研究表明:退化的土壤补偿以住宅污泥可促进银合欢的田间发芽、生长以及分枝的形成.图1表3参29.     

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。     

Effects of phosphorus and potassium addition on growth and nodula- tion of Dalbergia sissoo in the nursery

A study was conducted to test the influence of different inorganic fertilizers （phosphorous and potassium） on the nodulation and growth of Dalbergia sissoo grown in the nursery. Before seeds sowing, different combinations of P, K fertilizers were incorporated with the nutrient-deficient natural forest soils, and then amended with cowdung （soil： cowdung = 3：1）. Nodulation status （nodule number, shape, fresh weight, dry weight and color） in the roots and the plant growth parameters （length of shoot and root, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root） were recorded 60 days after seeds sowing. Nodulation status and growth of the plants varied significantly （P〈0.05） in the soils amended with fertilizers in comparison to the control. The highest nodule number （62）, fresh （0.50 g） and dry （0.07 g） weights were recorded with the dose of PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm2. Nodule shape and color also varied widely in different treatments. In case of plant growth parameters, shoot and root length, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of the plants took on a significant difference （P〈0.05） among various combination of fertilizers. From the study, it is revealed that PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm^2 fertilizer with soil and cowdung mixture （soil： eowdung = 3：1） is recommended for optimum growth and nodule formation of D. sissoo in degraded soils at a nursery level.     

施加磷肥和钾肥对苗圃内印度黄檀木生长和结瘤的影响(英文)

本文探测了无机肥(磷和钾)对苗圃内培养的印度黄檀生长和结瘤的影响。播种前,磷和钾肥以不同比例混合后与营养匮乏的自然林土壤混合,然后混合土再补以粪肥(混合土:粪肥=3:1)。出苗后60天时记录植株结瘤状况(结瘤数、形状、鲜重、干重和颜色)和植株生长参数(枝条和根长及鲜重和干重、直径)。与对照相比,补充肥料的土壤显著地改变了植株生长和结瘤状况(P<0.05)。植株结瘤的数目、鲜重和干重均在磷钾施肥量为 160kg/hm2时达到最大值,分别为62, 0.05g和0.07g。不同比例的补肥处理改变了结瘤形状和颜色,同时显著地影响了枝条和根长、直径、鲜重和干重等生长参数。研究揭示:苗圃内生长的黄檀,在贫瘠的自然林土壤中施以160kg/hm2磷钾肥并混以粪肥(混合土:粪肥=3:1)可使植株生长和结瘤的形成达最佳。     

Nursery practice on seed germination and seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis> using beneficial microbial inoculants

Nursery practice using microbial inoculants was performed to find out the efficacy of the inoculants on seed germination and seedling growth of sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.). Microbial inoculants or effective microorganisms (EM) are a mixture of many different beneficial microorganisms in a solution. The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soil and cowdung (3:1) kept in polybags with pouring EM solution at different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%) before and after a week of sowing the seeds. Seed germination rate and growth parameters of seedlings were measured, such as, shoot and root length, vigor index, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total biomass increment. The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed along with the measurement of pigment contents in leaves. The highest germination rate (69%) was observed in 2% EM treatment, followed by 67% and 65% in 1% and 5% EM. The highest shoot length (33.2 cm) was in 2% EM, whereas highest root length (26.3 cm) was in 1% EM. Both fresh and dry weights from shoot and root, were maximum (4.16 g and 1.57 g; 2.12 g and 0.83 g respectively) in 2% EM and were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from control. Vigor index was highest (4071) in 2% EM, which was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from control. Total dry weight increment was highest in 2% EM treatment, followed by 1% and 5% concentrations of EM. Nodulation number was higher at very low (0.1%) concentration of EM solution but it normally decreased with the increase of EM concentrations. The contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid were highest (60.11, 17.05 and 42.48 mg·L⁻¹ respectively) in 2% EM treatment and lowest (39.35, 13.55 and 27.29 mg·L⁻¹ respectively) in control treatment. Therefore, low concentration of EM (up to 2%) can be used for getting maximum seed germination rate and seedling development of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.     

丛枝菌根真菌对在含砷土壤中的云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)生长的影响(英文)

孟加拉东南部土壤中的砷含量很高,不仅威胁人的健康,而且对土壤也有破坏作用。云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)在孟加拉是个快速生长的树种,也是含砷土壤中的潜力树种。研究评价了含砷试验土中丛枝菌根真菌对云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)生长的影响。播种前,四种不同浓度的砷(10mg·kg-1、25mg·kg-1、50mg·kg-1和100mg·kg-1)被加入到试验土中。记录生长参数,如,植物的根、苗鲜重、干重、冠幅径、根长和苗高、根瘤菌和孢子菌群落。菌根植株较非菌根植株生长好。与其它含砷量高的土壤中植株的生长情况相比,在含砷量为10-mg·kg-1的土壤中,菌根植株和菌根生长效果最佳,菌根植株生物量最高。随着砷浓度的增加,种苗生长,根瘤菌和孢子菌群落均明显降低p0.05)。与非菌根植株比较,菌根植株高生长增加了40%,生物量增加了2.4倍。研究表明,根瘤菌接种可以减少有害土壤中的云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)的初生长的影响。     

有效微生物群对雨豆树发芽率和苗木生长的影响

雨豆树的苗木种植在容器袋的沙和牛粪的混合质上(3:1)。在播种前后一周施用不同浓度(0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%)的有效微生物群(Effective Microorganisms )液。测定发芽和苗木自然生长参数(包括:茎根长度,活力指数,直径,叶子数量,茎根的鲜重和干重,总的生物量增长量)。估计生化参数如叶绿素 a, 叶绿素 b,类胡罗卜素,并观测了受有效微生物群影响的生节情况。与对照相比, 经不同浓度有效微生物群液处理的雨豆树,发芽率和苗木自然生长参数都明显增加。施用 2%有效微生物群液的苗木生长率最大,其次是施用 1%有效微生物群液的苗木。1%有效微生物群液的生节率最高,并随浓度的增加而下降。尽管经有效微生物群液处理的苗木叶中色素比对照高,但叶绿素 a, 叶绿素 b,类胡罗卜素并不明显高于对照。随着有效微生物群液浓度的增加,苗木生长表现出不同的效果,大部分参数在中等浓度范围最高。研究表明,有效微生物群技术有助与提高苗圃中苗木的生长,有益微生物与容器袋土壤相结合有助于改善退化的或贫瘠的土壤,有利于初移植苗木的营养和水分吸收。表 4 参 17。     

Functional relationships of nodulation response and biomass production at nursery stages of two fast-growing, leguminousmultipurpose tree species in Bangladesh: Albizia saman and Leucaena leucocephala

This study was carried out to assess the relationship of the status of nodulation （i.e., the number of nodules, their shape and size） in root and biomass production of plant growth parameters （i.e., number of leaves, root and shoot lengths, root biomass and shoot biomass） in Albizia saman and Leucaena leucocephala. The assessment started 60 days after seeding. The study revealed that nodulation response and biomass production in both species showed significant dif- ferences over time （p 〈 0.05） in all variables except in the root-shoot ratio （oven-dry） of L. leucocephala. The study also showed significant differences （p 〈 0.05） in nodule formation and biomass production at the end of the study period be- tween the two species except in the number of nodules and leaves and the green root-shoot ratio. There were strong pos- itive correlations between nodule formation and biomass production, i.e., the number of nodules and the age of plants, the number of nodules and leaves, as well as the number of nodules and biomass （root biomass and shoot biomass） in both species. The results obtained using principal component analysis （PCA） and correlation coefficients of the different characteristics of nodulation and biomass production were similar in both species. The PCA showed that shoot biomass （shoot green weight and shoot oven-dry weight） is positively correlated with PC1 （with an eigenvalue of 7.50） and root length is positively correlated with PC2 （with an eigenvalue of 0.19） in the case of A. saman. In the case of L. leucocephala, the PCA revealed that root biomass （root green weight and root oven-dry weight）, shoot biomass and shoot length are also positively correlated with PC1, while nodule formation and the number of leaves are positively correlated with PC2 （with an eigenvalue PC1 of 6.92 and PC2 of 0.49）.     

Ecophysiological and genetic variation in seedling traits and in first-year field performance of eight <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia senegal</Emphasis> provenances in the Blue Nile,Sudan

The genetic variation in seed weight, seed number per kg and seedling traits was compared among eight Acacia senegal provenances originating from the clay plain (east) and sand plains (west) of the gum belt in Sudan. The main objective of this study was to identify germplasm sources of A. senegal that have a good seed germination capacity and seedling traits suitable for reforestation in the clay-soil part of the dryland gum belt in the Blue Nile region in Sudan. A specific objective was to tentatively explore the adaptive strategy of A. senegal populations. Seventeen-week-old seedlings were planted in the field at spacing of 3 m × 3 m, giving 100 trees per plot and replication; within a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental site was in the clay plain region. Seed variables showed significant differences. Clay plain provenances showed considerable variation in seed weight and seed number. They had the smallest seed weight but the highest seed number, while the sand (western) provenances had the largest seed weight but lowest seed number. Seedling branch number, root length, root to shoot ratio and shoot dry weight differed significantly among the provenances 12 weeks after germination. Clay provenances had the highest branch number and shoot dry weight but the shortest roots and lowest root to shoot ratio. This was interpreted as showing better adaptation to the site in these local provenances in comparison to those originating from the western sandy soil regions. High positive correlations were observed between seedling variables, such as root nodule and branch numbers; this could be used for early selection. The variation was greater between provenance groups than within them, suggesting that especially selection among groups would yield genetic gain.     

Nursery Sterilization and Inoculation Regimes for Alder Production

Nursery experiments using common alder (Alnus glutinosa) toexamine the interaction of soil sterilization and inoculationwith Frankia are described. Seedling growth was stimulated whensoil was sterilized with methyl bromide or dazomet at currentrecommended rates, but nodulation was reduced. Inoculation withcultured Frankia or a crushed nodule suspension significantlyimproved nodulation, especially if the inoculant was appliedbefore seed germination. However, seedling growth was significantlylarger using cultured Frankia than the crushed nodule inoculant.If the latter is used to inoculate alder seedlings, a reductionin the recommended rate of dazomet application to c. 285 kgha^–1 is likely to encourage nodulation, though seedlinggrowth will be reduced slightly.     

Use of waste materials as nursery growing media for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus halepensis</Emphasis> production

Peat moss is gradually being replaced by other materials as a growing medium in forest nurseries due to economic and ecological constraints. In this study, six different mixtures were tested, mixing peat moss (P) and pine bark (B) with digested sewage sludge (S) activated sewage sludge (A) and paper mill sludge (M), as growing media for Pinus halepensis seedlings; three different waste doses were applied. Seed germination percentage, seedling growth and foliar nutrient content after 1 year in a greenhouse and percentage survival after transplanting were recorded. The influence of base substrate (P or B) on germination percentage changed in different ways according the type of waste. The order of the different applied mixtures by suitability (germination rate and seedling growth) from best to worst was as follows: activated sludge with peat, activated sludge with pine bark, sewage sludge with peat, sewage sludge with pine bark, paper mill sludge with pine bark and finally paper mill sludge with peat.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on biomass production and nodulation behavior of Pongamia pinnata Pierre seedlings under nursery conditions

At the seedling stage, a small amount of N is required to boost growth of leguminous plants. A pot experiment was conducted to observe the effect of N fertilizer on various growth parameters and nodulation behavior of Pongamia pinnata under nursery conditions. After the establishment of seedlings, four nitrogen treatments, 0, 40, 80 and 100 kg·ha^?1 N were applied in two equal splits. Monthly observations were taken for the morphological parameters viz. plant height, collar diameter, leaf number, root length, root shoot ratio, nodule number and weight per plant. Maximum plant height was recorded after application of N at 40 kg·ha^?1. Seasonally, the difference in collar diameter in rainy season was significantly higher than in winter or summer. However, more leaves were produced per plant at N-40 and N-100 treatments in winter and rainy seasons. Higher root length was recorded in rainy season than in winter or summer. Root biomass was higher than for stems or leaves. Seasonal effects of N-80 and N-40 treatments on leaf dry weight were significantly higher than for N-100 or N-0. Stem dry weight was higher at N-40 than at other treatments in winter and summer seasons. Root:shoot ratio was higher throughout winter to early summer. Nodule biomass was 2–3 times higher in rainy season compared to winter or summer. Maximum nodule number and biomass per plant were highest at N-40, followed by N-0, N-80 and N-100 treatments. New nodule formation started from June to the end of September. Maximum biomass per plant was recorded at N-40, followed by N-80, N-100 and N-0. Nitrogen treatment effect and seasonal behaviour interaction were not significant. Significantly higher numbers of nodules per plant were recorded in rainy season followed by summer and winter for all treatments. Higher nitrogen doses suppressed growth while lower doses promoted growth in Pongamia pinnata. Therefore, the lower nitrogen dose i.e., N-40 Kg·ha^?1 applied in two equal splits was suitable at the initial nursery stage for the increase in nodulation and biomass production.     

Peat carrier increases inoculation success with Frankia on red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) in fumigated nursery beds

Inoculation trials were set up in fumigated nursery beds for red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) bare-root seedling production. Frankia inoculum was applied either as nodule homogenate or as pure culture (strain ArI5). The plots were laid out in 4 blocks of 8 treatments consisting of: control, nodule suspension, and three levels each of cell suspension and cells applied with a peat carrier. Numbers, height, and percentage nodulation on the seedlings were determined at mid-season. Numbers, size, dry weights, and degree of nodulation were determined at lifting. The peat inoculum treatment produced larger seedlings than the other treatments, both at mid-season and at lifting. The other treatments had little effect on growth. Size differences paralleled differences in degree of nodulation. Differences in percentage of seedlings nodulated were most pronounced at midseason, indicating that inoculation confered primarily an early-season advantage.     

Germination and seedling growth of Quercus vulcanica: effects of stratification, desiccation, radicle pruning, and season of sowing

Effects of stratification, desiccation, radicle pruning, and season of sowing on Quercus vulcanica germination and growth were studied to identify optimum nursery procedures for artificial regeneration of this species. Following stratification (0, 2, 4 and 8 weeks), acorns were germinated, and acorn moisture content and germination performance were also determined at various times during desiccation. In early December unsprouted acorns were planted in containers, and in early April sprouted acorns, which had been stored in polyethylene bags at 4 °C, with radicles left intact or with radicles pruned back to 1.0 cm were planted in containers.Stratification for 2 and 4 weeks did not increase germination percentage but significantly increased germination rate. Germination percentage of the seeds dropped when the moisture content of the seeds was reduced by desiccation, and the critical minimum moisture content of the recalcitrant Q. vulcanica acorns was found to be 11–16%. Spring sowing of sprouted acorns altered the morphology the containerized seedlings and caused the formation of significantly more main roots, but resulted in significantly less shoot height and shoot dry weight. Spring-sown sprouted acorns had also a significant advantage over the fall-sown unsprouted acorns in seedling survival, and thus nursery personnel should not be concerned if acorns sprout before sowing.     

Effect of rhizobial inoculation on growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calliandra</Emphasis> tree species under nursery conditions

A nursery experiment was conducted in un-sterilized soil in Senegal using six Calliandra species or provenances inoculated with a mixture of seven rhizobial strains. Plant growth was assessed periodically at 1, 2, 3, 12 and 18 months whereas nodulation, shoot and root dry weights were assessed at 12 and 18 months after planting (MAP). Un-inoculated seedlings of all the six species died at 12 months after planting. Results of growth assessments were variable with significant differences (P < 0.05) between C. calothyrsus Meissn provenances (Flores and San Ramón) and C. juzepczukii Standley in height at 1, 2 and 3 MAP. Shoot dry weights of San Ramón provenance of C. calothyrsus Meissn were also significantly different from those of C. acapulcensis (Britton and Rose) Standley and C. longepedicellata (Mc Vaugh) H. Hern and Macqueen at 18 MAP. In contrast, C. glandiflora (L’Her.) Benth grew poorly and did not nodulate. Although rhizobial inoculation improved shoot and root dry weights some differences were observed among the Calliandra species in response to the inoculation, which suggested the occurrence of interaction between the rhizobial strains and the host plant species tested.     

Interactive Influences of Fertility and Nodulation on Growth,Nutrition, and Water Relations of European Alder in a Mine Soil

Abstract

Actinorhizal nodulation of European alder (Alnus glutinosa[L.] Gaertn.) as influenced by substrate fertility was assessed for its effects on seedling growth and physiology. After a brief period in seed flats, seedlings were transplanted to a mine soil where they resided for 18 months, and three fertility regimes were imposed by application of differing nutrient solution concentrations while two distinct levels of nodulation were created through methyl bromide fumigation. Ultimately, seedlings in nonfumigated soil had > 5Xthe nodules of those grown in fumigated soil, and rising fertility stimulated nodule formation in the former. Heavy nodulation resulted in a 35% increase in shoot mass and a 60% increase in root mass on average, responses that exceeded those to fertilization for the latter. Seedlings with abundant nodules had higher foliar concentrations of total N, NO₃, K, and Cu and lower concentrations of Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Mo, and Al overall, than were found in those with minimal nodulation. In turn, soil in which heavily nodulated seedlings were grown had higher total N, NO₃, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Al concentrations but a lower Mo concentration than fumigated soil. Fertility regime effects on nutrition were readily apparent, although considerably more so in the mine soil than in foliage. During a simulated drought episode, predawn and midday xylem pressure potentials within the high fertility treatment were lower in heavily nodulated seedlings than in those with few nodules, and the water potentials in soil in which the heavily nodulated seedlings resided were lower overall as well. Collectively, these results provide insight into approaches to most effectively exploit the benefits European alder offers as a reforestation species for difficult sites.     

Effect of Frankia inoculation on the growth of Alnus sieboldiana on unsterilized soil

The effect of inoculation with Frankia, a N-fixing actinomycete, on the growth of Alnus sieboldiana seedlings was studied on unsterilized soil from a nursery and an alder stand (forest of Alnus firma). The seedlings of A. sieboldiana were inoculated with Frankia before or after a 2-month culture on sterilized vermiculite, during which they nodulated, and transplanted to unsterilized soil from the nursery and the alder stand. The control seedlings were also cultured on sterilized vermiculite for about 2 months and transplanted to unsterilized soil without Frankia inoculation. The seedling growth, nodulation and N-fixing activity were measured 3, 10 and 16 weeks after the transplantation. Growth and nodule biomass of the seedlings inoculated with Frankia and those grown on the alder soil were better than those without inoculation with Frankia and grown on the nursery soil, respectively. The seedlings inoculated before spontaneous nodulation grew better than those inoculated at the transplantation. Nitrogen-fixing activity measured by acetylene reduction assay at 16 weeks after the transplantation was higher in the seedlings grown on the soil from the nursery than on the soil from the alder stand.     

Effect of the arbuscular mycorrhizae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glomus fasciculatum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. macrocarpum</Emphasis> on the growth and nutrient content of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cassia siamea</Emphasis> in a semi-arid Indian wasteland soil

The effect of two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus fasciculatum and G. macrocarpum on shoot and root dry weights and nutrient content of Cassia siamea in a semi-arid wasteland soil was evaluated. Under nursery conditions, mycorrhizal inoculation improved growth of seedlings. Root and shoot dry weights were higher in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal plants. The concentration of P, K, Cu, Zn and Na was significantly higher in AM inoculated seedlings than in non-inoculated seedlings. Mycorrhization led to decrease in alkalinity of the rhizosphere soil from pH 8.5 to 7.4. Under nursery conditions, the degree of mycorrhizal dependency increased with age of C. siamea seedling. On transplantation to the field, the survival rate of mycorrhizal seedlings (75%–90%) was higher than that of non-mycorrhizal seedlings (40%). Besides better survival rate, AM inoculation improved the growth performance of seedlings in terms of height and stem diameter. Among the two AM fungi used, the efficiency of Glomus macrocarpum was higher than that of G. fasciculatum under both nursery and field conditions.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrected page numbers.     

Effect of perennial mulches on moisture conservation and soil-building properties through agroforestry

The effect of perennial mulches on moisture status, soil characteristics and on crop yields (maize-wheat rotation) was evaluated from 1986 through 1989 in a silty loam acidic soil (pH 5.6, PWP 11.4 & FC 25.6%) at the Research Farm of the Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dahra Dun. Mulch materials, comprised of leaves of Leucaena leucocephala, Eucalyptus hybrid, Shorea robusta, Broussonatia paprifera or Puerarua hirsuta (chopped) @ 4 t/ha were applied just after sowing of wheat and the residual effect of applied mulch was seen in kharif maize each year.The distribution of profile moisture revealed that at the time of sowing of wheat the soil water content did not differ with depth (0–90 cm). With the advancement of time, the magnitude of moisture distribution changed. At various crop growth stages the highest amount of water was found in the plots mulched with S. robusta followed by E. hybrid. All the mulch materials, except B. paprifera, lowered the soil pH, the maximum effect was noted with E. hybrid (pH reduced from 5.6 to 5.0). After three years, N and K content of soil were found to be greatest with the application of L. leucocephala whereas the highest P content was observed in B. paprifera mulched plots.The highest wheat grain yield (2.46 t/ha) was recorded with L. leucocephala and minimum under control (2.11 t/ha) which represents a gain of 11.7 per cent. Maximum maize grain yield (0.73 t/ha) was found in S. robusta mulched plots followed by L. leucocephala (0.63 t/ha) and the minimum in the control (0.51 t/ha).     

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).