Herbicides are more cost-effective than alternative weed control methods for increasing early growth of Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus saligna

Effective weed control is an essential management task in establishing commercial tree plantations. Much of the current weed control strategies employed in Australian forestry relies on the use of available herbicides. However, given community concern regarding the use of herbicides, investigation of alternative weed control methods is warranted. We tested the ability and cost-effectiveness of mechanical (hand weeding and inter-row slashing), mulching (sawdust over newsprint, woodchips and jute), cover crops and herbicide applications for weed control in establishing eucalypt plantations. Jute matting and herbicide treatments reduced weed competition and increased seedling growth to age 2 years in plantations of Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus saligna in northern NSW, Australia. Growth increased by 269 % (Experiment 1) and 196 % (Experiment 2) in the Jute and by 216 % (Experiment 2) in the Herbicide treatments when compared to the control (no weed control) at 2 years age. As the Jute material deteriorated, after nearly 2 years, weed cover increased and there were significantly more weeds present in the Jute treatment compared to the Herbicide treatment. Jute matting costs approximately 15 times more than the herbicide regime used and, therefore, could not presently be considered a viable option for weed control in commercial eucalypt plantations. Other weed control treatments, including hand weeding, sawdust and woodchip mulches, slashing and sowing cover crops did not effectively control weeds and did not improve survival or increase seedling growth to age 2 relative to the control. We conclude that herbicides remain the most cost-effective weed control option available to commercial growers of eucalypt plantations.     

Sheet Mulching as an Aid to Broadleaved Tree Establishment: I. The Effectiveness of Various Synthetic Sheets Compared

In two experiments growth of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L. ) andhornbeam (Carpinus betulus L. ) transplants was greatly increasedby various synthetic sheet mulches. Killing the weeds with herbicidesbefore laying the mulches increased tree growth a little. Clearpolythene gave the highest soil temperatures and reduced ashsurvival. However, soil temperature appeared to have littleeffect on tree growth, tree growing well despite the low soiltemperatures induced by aluminium foil. The ability of the mulchto remain intact and resist weed invasion was more importantthan soil temperature. Opaque mulches were found to be preferableto translucent ones, since weeds grew beneath the latter anddislodged them. Tree growth was better with impermeable thanpermeable translucent mulches: it is suggested that this differencewas related to the mulches ability to retain moisture transpiredby the weeds beneath them. Practical recommendations for sheetmulching are made.     

Role of weeds in the management of nitrogen in a young Pinus radiata plantation

Pinus radiata trees were grown on a podzolized sandy soil at a second rotation site under the following treatments: total weed control, total weed control plus ammonium nitrate, strip weed control and no weed control. During the first two summers after planting the differences in needle water potential between trees under no, strip or total weed control were very small. Despite similar rates of net N-mineralization in strip and total weed control treatments, which averaged 64 kg ha^–1 yr^–1 in the 0–15 cm soil depth, weeds in the strip weed control treatment reduced soil mineral-N concentrations by 50–80%, leaching of N by the end of the first growing season by 45%, foliar-N concentrations by 4–14% and stem biomass at 20 months after planting by 46%. Although N-uptake by above-ground vegetation (trees plus weeds) was 49% higher in the strip weed control treatment, the amount of N apportioned to trees during the first 20 months after planting was reduced from 15.5 to 9.0 kg ha^–1. These effects of weeds were even more pronounced in the no weed control treatment. Since weeds had little effect on the needle water potential of trees and the annual rates of N-mineralization, but adversely affected N-uptake by trees, results indicate that weeds directly competed with trees for N, and thereby aggravated N-deficiency in trees. Application of ammonium nitrate after complete weed control increased foliar-N concentrations, and N-uptake and growth of trees, but also induced severe stem deformation.     

Weed dynamics during the change of a degraded pasture to agroforestry system

This study evaluates weed dynamics during the first 4 years (2008–2011) of the implementation of an agroforestry system in the municipality of Tomé-açu in the state of Pará, Brazil. The study was conducted in a degraded pasture of Brachiaria humidicola, and treatments (T) included mixed plantations of oil palm with short-cycle leguminous species (T1) with the inclusion of manioc in T2 and forest species and palm trees in T3. In 2008, a floristic survey was conducted in 12 plots of 2 × 2 m per treatment. In 2009, herbicide was applied to one half of the area in each treatment. A total of 19,367 individuals of height <1.5 m were surveyed, of which 51 % were B. humidicola and 21 % were leguminous species that had been planted. Overall, an increase in plant density was observed between 2009 and 2010, followed by a decrease over the following year in areas without herbicide and a tendency for high densities to persist in areas with herbicide. Species richness increased over the study period in all areas (with or without herbicide), which might be related to habitat availability resulting from the reduced density of B. humidicola due to the effects of the herbicide, the leguminous species planted and the development of the agroforestry system. The association of short-cycle leguminous plants with afforestation appears to be an effective method for controlling weeds in the absence of herbicides.     

Vegetation response to intensity of herbaceous weed control in a newly planted loblolly pine plantation

Growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings through three growing seasons after planting increased with intensity of herbaceous weed control using herbicides. Weed control had no effect on pine survival. Two years of complete herbaceous weed control (CHC, control throughout the first two growing seasons after planting) and operational herbaceous weed control (OHC, sulfometuron at 0.42 kg ai/ha at the beginning of the first growing season), resulted in lower biomass of weeds plus trees than with no herbaceous weed control (NHC) during the first growing season. Differences in total biomass during the first year were due to differences in biomass of herbaceous weeds. Total biomass on CHC and OHC plots was at least as great as NHC the second year, and greater by the third year, as pines assumed dominance as a result of increased growth from reduction of herbaceous weeds. The operational herbicide treatment had no significant impact on overall herbaceous weed biomass and cover, and little effect on species composition compared to no herbaceous weed control two and three growing seasons after treatment. The CHC treatment significantly reduced herbaceous weed biomass, cover and composition through three growing seasons.     

Effect of site preparation on survival and growth of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziessi Mirb. Franco.) seedlings

The performance (survival and growth) of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb. Franco.) seedlings planted in minimally disturbed, scalped, and bedded soils, both with and without herbicidal control of weeds, were compared. Douglas-fir growing for 3 years in bedded soils treated with herbicide were heavier, taller, and had deeper root systems than trees growing in other preparations. Scalping did not improve seedling performance when compared to minimally disturbed soils. Soils rich in organic matter benefited tree growth. Competing vegetation in raised beds was detrimental to seedling performance.     

The Importance of Weed Control and the Use of Tree Shelters for Establishing Broadleaved Trees on Grass-Dominated Sites in England

The results of seven experiments are used to illustrate themechanisms of weed competition and its effects. Studies of soilmoisture tension and foliar nutrient content indicated thatcompetition was primarily for moisture and nutrients reducingthe survival and growth of young trees. These effects are greateron soils with poor moisture retention, or where the climateresults in high soil moisture deficits. To be effective, weedcontrol must eliminate root competition. This can be done bycultivation, herbicides or mulching; cutting weeds above groundlevel is ineffective. Tree shelters accelerate the height growthof young trees and protect them from mammals and herbicide drift.     

Growth response of eucalypts in the Congo to ectomycorrhizal inoculation

Seedlings of hybrid eucalypts (Eucalyptus urophylla × E. kirtoniana) were grown in the nursery in polythene bags filled with a formalin-fumigated sandy soil and inoculated with mycelial cultures of five ectomycorrhizal fungi: Pisolithus tinctorius, Scleroderma aurantium, S. texense, S. dictyosporum and Hebeloma cylindrosporum. The plants were then outplanted in a nutrient-poor acidic sandy savanna soil, to compare with control plants grown in the same conditions, but not inoculated and infected by a native type of ectomycorrhiza. Three of the introduced fungi formed mycorrhizas and stimulated the growth of the trees; the most efficient (P. tinctorius) increased volume production by 30% at 50 months. The fact that introduced mycorrhizas had disappeared by that time indicates that inoculation with fungal strains better adapted to the site could tremendously increase eucalypt production in the Cargo.     

Competition control in juvenile hybrid poplar plantations across a range of site productivities in central Saskatchewan,Canada

The response of hybrid poplar plantations established on former agricultural land in Saskatchewan to competition from weeds on a range of site productivities was studied. The short-term impact of competition control on the growth of juvenile trees and how tree responses to competition control differed across the productivity gradient was of particular interest, as was the determination of which resource was most highly competed for and was most important in determining tree growth. Eight sets of paired plots in juvenile hybrid poplar plantations were established in central Saskatchewan across a range of site productivities. In each pair, one plot had complete weed control (weed-free) while in the other plot weeds were allowed to grow. The best soil predictor of tree growth was soil texture, represented by a combination of the percentage silt and clay, with finer textures showing better growth. Competition control significantly increased tree growth on all sites with the benefit being greatest on the higher productivity sites. Soil water appeared to be highly competed for between trees and weeds and was a dominant resource controlling growth. For soil nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorous were highly competed for between trees and weeds. However, leaf phosphorous concentration of the weed-free plots had a strong positive relation to tree growth while nitrogen did not, indicating that when trees are free of competition they can access sufficient nitrogen from these soils.     

Can bioplastic or woodchip groundcover replace herbicides or plastic mulching for valuable broadleaf plantations in Mediterranean areas?

Weed control is fundamental in plantations of valuable broadleaved species. The most common weeding techniques are repeatedly applied herbicides and removable plastic mulching, both raising environmental concerns. We studied the performance of these techniques on a hybrid walnut plantation, compared with three biodegradable mulch alternatives: a prototype bioplastic film, a layer of composted woodchips and a layer of ramial chips. The durability and effect of the treatments on tree performance (survival, growth, physiological traits) and soil features (moisture and temperature) were evaluated over 4 years. Herbicide yielded the best results, while all the mulching treatments provided better results than controls for nearly all the variables. The performance of plastic and bioplastic films was similar, suggesting that the latter could replace plastic mulching. The performance of the two chip mulches was similar and slightly below that of the films, probably because of the excessive thickness of the former (13–14 cm). In summary, biodegradable mulches showed high effectiveness in controlling weeds and so could offer an alternative to herbicide application and plastic mulching when these are contra-indicated technically (accessibility, repeatability), economically (labour cost), legally or environmentally.     

Establishment success of conservation tree plantations in relation to silvicultural practices in Indiana,USA

In the Central Hardwood Forest region of the United States, the variable and somewhat unpredictable establishment success of hardwood tree plantations has traditionally been attributed to competing vegetation and damage due to animal browse. We examined operational plantation establishment success (1–5 years following planting) as it relates to use of particular silvicultural practices. Silvicultural histories were obtained for 87 randomly selected plantations throughout Indiana and field data were collected from each to determine tree survival, tree vigor, and abundance of surrounding vegetation. Survival was highest at sites that were treated with herbicide prior to planting and that had been mechanically planted (as opposed to hand planted). The percentage of trees with evidence of dieback was highest on sites at which browse protection measures had been used, likely reflecting a combination of damage due to inherently high white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) populations at such sites and ineffectiveness of current browse protection measures. Sites planted by a professional forester and those with herbicide applied subsequent to planting had a higher percentage of trees deemed free-to-grow. Subsequent herbicide application did not reduce cover or height of competing vegetation; however, when used in conjunction with mechanical site preparation techniques, overall cover and height of herbaceous vegetation was reduced.     

沙地樟子松人工林冠下人工更新研究

在渐伐后郁闭度不足0.4的沙地樟子松人工林冠下进行人工更新试验,10年后观测各树种的生长状况,并对林下的土壤进行调查.结果表明:利用这种冠下人工更新方式使樟子松纯林转变为多树种混交的复层林;色木槭等4个树种可以作为冠下更新的主培树种;冠下人工更新可以逐渐改良土壤,延缓樟子松人工林林地土壤的衰退.     

Vegetative propagation and initial growth performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stereospermum suaveolens</Emphasis> DC., a wild tropical tree species of medicinal value

The present study aimed at examining the amenability of Stereospermum suaveolens DC. to vegetative propagation through rooting of leafy stem cuttings using low-cost polythene propagators. Rooting efficiencies of cuttings derived from two selected matured mother trees were studied using four different concentrations of Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), viz. 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4%. IBA applied at 40 μg per cutting (0.4% concentration) resulted in significantly higher rooting responses compared to the control (P < 0.05). Differences in the length of longest root for all the treatments were significant (P = 0.05) with cuttings treated with 0.2% IBA producing the longest root. The highest survival after 3 weeks of transference of the rooted cuttings into polythene bags was found for rooted cuttings treated with 0.2% IBA. Effects of three fertilizer treatments viz. T₀ (no fertilizer), T₁ (10 g of Urea + 20 g of TSP + 10 g of MOP dissolved in 1 l of water) and T₂ (10 g of Urea + 20 g of TSP + 10 g of MOP dissolved in 2 l of water) on initial growth of established rooted cuttings (stecklings) of Stereospermum suaveolens in polythene bags were also measured for a period of 90 days. Stem length, collar diameter and leaf area of the stecklings increased throughout the observation period. Increments of both stem length and collar diameter were significantly higher for the stecklings treated with T₂ in comparison with the control while increment of leaf area was found the highest for the stecklings treated with T₁. The study clearly indicated that Stereospermum suaveolens is amenable to vegetative propagation technique using juvenile single-node leafy cuttings and the initial growth performance of the established rooted cuttings (stecklings) in polythene bags under different fertilizer treatments was satisfactory.     

The effect of release cutting on the growth and external quality of the dominant trees in a Pinus sylvestris stand established by spot sowing

The effect of the number of Pinus sylvestris trees in seed spots on the growth and external quality of the dominant trees was studied. The trees were monitored during the period between release cutting and the first commercial thinning. The treatments were one, two and four of the tallest seedlings retained per seed spot, and a control. The mean height of the dominant trees was highest in the one‐tree and two‐tree treatments. Diameter at breast height (DBH) increased with increasing spacing. On average, the stump diameter was 1.5–4.7 cm greater in the one‐tree treatment than in the control. Slenderness (height/DBH) was highest in the control treatments. The average living crown limit of the dominant trees was 4.6 m, and was at its highest in the two‐tree treatment. The results indicate that the competition in seed spots decreases the height growth of the dominant trees.     

北京西部小型沙地不同演替阶段植物群落结构特征

对北京西部黄羊滩流动沙地、半固定沙地和固定沙地3个演替阶段的植物群落进行取样分析,结果表明,物种丰富度随演替的进展呈增加的趋势,每一阶段对应着不同的优势种群.藜科植物是流动沙地的先锋植物,在植被演替早期具有不可替代的作用,且在各阶段种类数量比较稳定;菊科植物属于演替的过渡类群,只是在半固定沙地阶段表现出较高的优势度;禾本科和豆科植物呈不断增加的趋势,成为固定沙地生态功能的主要维持者.随演替的进展,初期占绝对优势的1年生植物逐渐被多年生植物替代,沙地植被向杂草类草原方向发展,生态系统趋于稳定.各阶段群落间的生态距离较远,在人工植被建设时应根据沙地环境条件选择最佳植物种和配置.     

林业化学除草技术的研究

从1974～1990年,在苗圃、幼林、造林地及防火线上筛选适用的除草剂,结果表明:松、杉苗圃以除草醚、果尔作土壤处理,防效达90％以上,高于1m的松、杉、阔叶树、果树以草甘膦作叶面喷洒,防效达85％以上;造林地以草甘膦、2,4-D丁酯、草甘膦+调节膦及威尔柏+草甘膦作叶面喷洒,防杂草、灌木效果达95％,防火线上以草甘膦与调节膦或威尔柏混用为好。在室内生测表明:草甘膦+调节膦有增效作用,草甘膦具有解偶联剂作用,抑制膜上ATP酶活性。     

Seed cone production enhanced by injecting 38-year-old Larix occidentalis Nutt. with GA4/7

The influence of injecting 38-year-old Larix occidentalis with gibberellin A_4/7 (GA_4/7) on seed and pollen cone production was studied in western Montana, U.S.A. Two natural stands thinned to several spacings in 1961 were chosen. The two widest spacings were used. In 1991, 60 trees selected for study at each site were randomly divided into two groups of similar DBH, half as controls and half injected in June 1991 with a solution of GA_4/7 in ethyl alcohol. The volume injected was adjusted to the DBH of each tree (60 mg per 5 cm diameter). In June 1994, half the trees treated with GA_4/7 in 1991 and half the untreated trees were injected with GA_4/7 in the same manner as before. In 1992 and 1995, seed cone production increased on GA_4/7-treated trees compared to the controls. Pollen cone production was significantly increased by GA_4/7 treatment but only at one site. Delayed effects of GA_4/7 on seed cone production was not evident in subsequent years after treatment. Foliar and shoot damage on treated trees was attributed to GA_4/7 treatment but most trees recovered completely the following year. Finally, GA_4/7 treatment did not affect cone length, potential seed per cone or filled seed per cone.     

Response of old-growth conifers to reduction in stand density in western Oregon forests

The positive growth response of healthy young trees to density reduction is well known. In contrast, large old trees are usually thought to be intrinsically limited in their ability to respond to increased growing space; therefore, density reduction is seldom used in stands of old-growth trees. We tested the null hypothesis that old-growth trees are incapable of responding with increased growth following density reduction. The diameter growth response of 271 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws) and sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana Dougl.) trees ranging in age from 158 to 650 years was examined 20 to 50 years after density reduction. Density reduction involved either light thinning with removal of less vigorous trees, or shelterwood treatments in which overstory trees were not removed. Ratios of basal area growth after treatment to basal area growth before treatment, and several other measures of growth, all indicated that the old trees sometimes benefited and were not harmed by density reduction. Growth increased by 10% or more for 68% of the trees in treated stands, and nearly 30% of trees increased growth by over 50%. This growth response persisted for at least 20 years. During this 20-year period, only three trees in treated stands (1.5%) exhibited a rapid decrease in growth, whereas growth decreased in 64% of trees in untreated stands. The length of time before a growth response to density reduction occurred varied from 5 to 25 years, with the greatest growth response often occurring 20 to 25 years after treatment. These results have important implications both for the basic biology of aging in woody plants as well as for silvicultural practices in forests with old-growth trees.     

Comparison of methyl bromide and herbicide effects on endomycorrhizal formation,seedling production,and weed control in sweetgum seedbeds

Sweetgum seedlings were grown in fumigated and nonfumigated nursery plots where equal portions were treated with a preemergence application of 1.1 kg/ha of trifluralin and a postemergence application of 1.7 kg/ha of napropamide. Methyl bromide at 478 kg/ha significantly decreased average root dry weight. Endomycorrhizal formation on one, two, and three month-old seedlings was not significantly decreased by fumigation or herbicide application. Weeding times for herbicide plots were less than half that for fumigated plots. These results show that herbicides can provide better control of annual weeds and produce better sweetgum seedlings than fumigating with methyl bromide.     

Durability of selected mulches,their ability to control weeds,and influence growth of loblolly pine seedlings

Several mulches of natural, synthetic, or blends of natural and synthetic fibers were tested around newly planted loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings on a sheared and windrowed site in central Louisiana, USA. The vegetation was primarily winter annuals, some residual grasses and forbs, and sparse woody regrowth. Study 1 was rotary mowed just prior to planting in March 1992, and 35 mulches and an untreated check were established. In Study 2, 15 mulches and an untreated check were established in a 1-year-old rough in March 1993. In both studies, a single loblolly pine seedling formed each plot established in a randomized complete block design, with 10 blocks as replicates. Each block was planted with a separate open-pollinated loblolly pine family.Nearly all mulches had deteriorated to some extent after three growing seasons. Synthetic mulches were generally more durable than the natural or natural/synthetic mulches. Mulching eliminated the established vegetation and germinants, and vegetation did not readily reestablish following the deterioration of a mulch. The soil seed bank apparently was not sufficient to regenerate areas that were once covered with mulch and many of the natural materials deteriorated into a fibrous cover that acted like a natural litter layer. Both of these residual weed control effects -- insufficient soil seed bank and formation of a fibrous cover -- were important in stopping vegetation from reestablishing after a mulch had deteriorated. After three growing seasons, the loblolly pine seedlings generally grew better if mulches were used.