Growth and root morphology of planted and naturally-regenerated Douglas fir and Lodgepole pine

Abstract

Summary — Root system morphology and growth of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var glauca (Beissn) Franco) and Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var latifolia Engelm) saplings transplanted from containers to the field in 1979 were compared with naturally-regenerated saplings of the same species and age. Naturally-regenerated saplings of both species were significantly taller than planted trees, had greater leader growth in the previous year and height/diameter ratios, and smaller taproot diameters 10 cm below groundline. Naturally-regenerated saplings also had up to 2.3-fold the number of lateral roots compared with planted saplings. Seventy to 79% of all primary lateral roots of naturally-regenerated saplings occurred within the top 10 cm of the soil surface, compared with 30-42% for the planted trees. The depth of the first structural lateral root associated with naturallyregenerated saplings was also significantly less than that of planted saplings.

Root system development in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) on fertile sites

“…The number of main lateral roots (horizontal skeletal roots) of trees analysed by us did not change significantly with age and corresponded to the range of 3-8 lateral roots mentioned by Eis (1974). Halter and Chanway (1993) found eight lateral roots in planted Douglas firs aged 11 years while the number of lateral roots in trees of the same age from natural regeneration was higher.…”

Container characteristics influence Pinus pinea seedling development in the nursery and field

“…Thus, larger containers (either greater volume or opening), with greater physical space, produce a seedling with less dense root system and probably less deformed (Benoit de Coignac and Gruez, 1987). Although, there has been no published relationship between root density in the container and subsequent variables measured in the field, it is prudent to evaluate these effects to ensure no long-term deleterious effects of container-derived constraints (Marien and Drovin, 1978;Halter and Chanway, 1993;Lindstrom, 1990).…”

“…These deformations can affect seedling performance several years after outplanting (Marien and Drovin, 1978;Halter and Chanway, 1993;Lindstrom, 1990), although the degree of deformation varies within and between species (Kinghorn, 1978). In this study, the influence of container parameters (volume, density, depth, and container width) on seedling morphology, nutrient content and field performance of Pinus pinea was evaluated.…”

Root reinforcement and slope bioengineering stabilization by Spanish Broom (<i>Spartium junceum</i> L.)

“…The covering offered by the crown with the current square layout is 100% and the plants reach the height of 2 mt after about six years since the planting. Actually naturally regenerated and direct sown seedlings are the most mechanically stable and more difficult to uproot and the soil stabilization is probably due to a well developed and undisturbed root system (Halter and Chanway, 1993;Lindström andRune, 1999, Stokes et al, 2008).…”