Field performance of Quercus petraea seedlings grown under competitive conditions: influence of prior undercutting in the seedbed

Quercus petraea was undercut according to the following procedure: undercutting first year once (July, September, November), twice (July and November), or undercutting in two consecutive years (September of year 1 and either July, September or November of year 2). Undercutting decreased height and dry weight of the seedlings compared to uncut control seedlings. Undercutting in September and July in two consecutive years increased the number of first-order lateral roots. Field performance was evaluated by transplanting under two conditions, (a) competition with a mixture of grasses with no irrigation or fertilisation and (b) standard conditions with fertilisation and irrigation first year and no competition with grass. After two growing seasons under competitive conditions, seedlings undercut in September of year 1 had a significantly higher dry weight compared with that of uncut control seedlings. Numbers of lateral roots and field performance under competitive conditions was related when numbers of lateral roots were small, but not when high. Competitive conditions had limited effect on root growth after one growing season, whereas shoot growth was reduced. After two growing seasons both shoot and root growth were reduced in all treatments compared with standard conditions.