Nursery transplant practices determine seedling root quality of two subtropical eucalypts

Thomas, Damon; Heagney, Geoff A.; Harper, Piers

doi:10.1007/s11056-008-9088-5

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 13 publications

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“…One of the most important steps in the establishment of forest stands is to ensure quality seedling production at the nursery stage because this directly aff ects seedling establishment and growth in the fi eld (Binotto et al, 2010;Grossnickle, 2016). Due to the initial fragility of tree seedlings, the seedling production process requires appropriate management strategies in the nursery to obtain a better uniformity of height and a well-formed root system because these qualities can promote satisfactory survival and growth in the fi eld, even under adverse conditions (Gomes et al, 2002;Thomas et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EFFECTS OF ROOT DEFORMATION AND LIGHT AVAILABILITY ON GROWTH AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION OF Senna multijuga SEEDLINGS (Rich) H. S. Irwin & Barneby

et al. 2020

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The effects of root deformation caused by errors in the pricking-out process in forest nurseries are still unknown for tropical tree seedlings. We analyzed the effects of light availability and root deformation on growth and biomass allocation in seedlings of Senna multijuga, a pioneer tropical tree commonly used in forest restoration programs. Our hypotheses were: (a) as a typical light-demanding species, the seedlings of S. multijuga may have their growth compromised by low light availability; (b) root deformation impairs growth rates and induces changes in biomass allocation; and (c) the effects of low light availability on growth and biomass allocation are increased by root deformation. Seedlings with and without root deformation were cultivated for 43 days under three levels of total daily photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (28, 12, and 1 mol photons m-2 day-1). Seedlings of S. multijuga had their growth rates severely affected by values of PAR at about 1 mol photons m-2 day-1, but root deformation did not affect the relative growth rates of the whole plant. Instead, root deformation caused a decrease in the relative growth rate of roots in all light availabilities. The changes in root growth affected biomass allocation to the roots. The interactive effects of light availability and root deformation on the allocation of biomass to leaves are more pronounced at low light availability. Root deformations may lead to the production of seedlings with a low competitiveness capacity regardless of light conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EFFECTS OF ROOT DEFORMATION AND LIGHT AVAILABILITY ON GROWTH AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION OF Senna multijuga SEEDLINGS (Rich) H. S. Irwin & Barneby

et al. 2020

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Growth and Morphophysiological Responses of Protium heptaphyllum Seedlings to Root Deformation and Light Availability

Lopes,

dos Santos,

Dalmolin

et al. 2024

Forest Science

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J-root deformation caused at the time of pricking out is highlighted in several forest nursery manuals, but there are few reports in the literature on the consequences of this type of root deformation on the physiology and growth of tree seedlings. Protium heptaphyllum is a tropical tree with potential for use in forest enrichment projects and agroforestry systems. This study aimed to evaluate the biomass allocation, root hydraulic conductivity and growth of P. heptaphyllum seedlings subjected to root deformation and three contrasting light levels (44%, 28%, and 2% of full sunlight) over a period of 155 days. Root deformation negatively affected the shoot to root dry mass ratio (S/R), the diameter to root volume ratio (D/RV), the height to root volume ratio (H/RV) and relative growth rate (RGR). Seedlings at 44% and 28% of full sunlight had lower S/R and higher hydraulic conductivity per unit of root volume (Kr/RV), net assimilation rate (NAR), and RGR when compared with seedlings at 2% of full sunlight. No significant interactions were observed between root deformation and light. Root deformation caused at the time of pricking out affects the quality of seedlings, decreasing growth rates and changing morphophysiological characteristics independently of light availability. Study Implications: Poor quality tree seedlings with J-root deformation is a problem frequently pointed out in forest nursery manuals. Despite this, there is scarce information in the literature on how errors in the pricking out process affect the morphology and physiology of tree seedlings. We demonstrated that this type of root deformation decreases the growth rate and changes important characteristics of Protium heptaphyllum seedlings regardless of light environment. We highlight important morphological and physiological effects of errors in the management of tree seedlings, which are frequently pointed out in forest nursery manuals but have not been demonstrated by experimental studies.

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Nursery transplant practices determine seedling root quality of two subtropical eucalypts

Cited by 2 publications

References 13 publications

EFFECTS OF ROOT DEFORMATION AND LIGHT AVAILABILITY ON GROWTH AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION OF Senna multijuga SEEDLINGS (Rich) H. S. Irwin & Barneby

EFFECTS OF ROOT DEFORMATION AND LIGHT AVAILABILITY ON GROWTH AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION OF Senna multijuga SEEDLINGS (Rich) H. S. Irwin & Barneby

Growth and Morphophysiological Responses of Protium heptaphyllum Seedlings to Root Deformation and Light Availability

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