GrowingPicea abiescontainer seedlings in peat and composted forest-nursery waste mixtures for forest regeneration

Abstract

The suitability of using composted forest-nursery waste as a component in growing medium was studied. Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] seedlings were grown in containers filled with sphagnum peat (100P), forest-nursery waste compost (100C) and in peat mixtures containing 25 or 50% compost by volume (75P25C and 50P50C, respectively). Morphological and chemical characteristics of the seedlings and the water and nutrient contents of the growing media were studied during 22 weeks of nursery cultivation. The seedlings were outplanted the following spring, and the survival and growth were followed for 3 years. Compost additions decreased seedling height, diameter and shoot dry mass, but root dry mass was the same in 100P and 75P25C after nursery cultivation. Foliar nutrient concentrations were optimal in all the seedlings, although foliar nitrogen content was lower the greater the proportion of compost in the medium. Compost additions did not affect the root-egress potential tested before outplanting. The 100P seedlings grew significantly more than the other seedlings during the first summer at the forest site. Thereafter, compost additions did not affect growth, but the final height and diameter were still the lowest in 100C. The results suggest that forest-nursery waste compost has potential to be used as a component of peat-based growing medium. However, specially adjusted nursery-cultivation practices need to be used for compost-containing media.

Compost and PGP-Based Biostimulant as Alternative to Peat and NPK Fertilization in Chestnut (Castanea Sativa Mill.) Nursery Production

“…In the nursery management, substrate and fertilization are the most important factors influencing the final characteristics of container-grown seedlings [3]. The most commonly used substrate is peat [4], since peat generally tends to possess excellent physical, chemical, and biological properties for plant growth and development [5], and widespread reserves of peat have so far been available in the northern hemisphere, making it an available and relatively cheap resource [6]. However, peat is a limited resource, and its intensive use will eventually deplete reserves and have negative impacts on the environment [7].…”

Vermicompost enhances germination of the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.)

“…Although several studies have shown the feasibility of replacing peat by organic amendments with improvements in seedling quality (Mañas et al 2009), detrimental effects on plant survival and growth have also been observed due to a worsening of the physical properties of the potting substrate or to the presence of phytotoxical substances (Veijalainen et al 2007). Thus, even though beneficial effects could be predicted due to the nutrient input, the effects of the organic amendments cannot be generalized or predicted and specific investigations should be carried out both for the different types of organic amendments and plant species.…”

The Influence of Minimal Cultivation Techniques on Growth Rate of Robinia pseudacacia L. Seedlings

“…Substrates have been the subject of several studies over time for coniferous and deciduous species [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. The influence of the substrate on the growth of containerized black locust seedlings was addressed in several studies.…”