Summary
Published in New Forests 45: 875–891. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-014-9443-7
Planting stock selection is an integral part of plantation management, as forest nursery practices influence the physiological status of the seedlings and their capacity to cope with resource availability on different planting sites. We thus compared the 11th-year dimensions and survival of large white spruce (Picea glauca) and black spruce (P. mariana) seedlings produced as 2 + 2 bareroot or 2 + 0 container stock (cell volume of 350 cm3), used to reduce the need for competition control. Using complete split-block designs, we evaluated the seedling competitive potential and response to mechanical release on two sites of contrasting ecological fertility and vegetation dominance in Quebec, Canada. We found that large spruce seedlings can be successfully established on highcompetition sites in a context where chemical herbicides cannot be used. These stock types had a limited impact on survival and growth, and both stock responded similarly to mechanical vegetation control. In this context, the choice of stock type should prioritize the highest quality large seedling based on operational considerations such as availability and ease of transportation. Mechanical site preparation was not necessary to promote seedling growth and survival on these sub-boreal sites.
Sector(s):
Forests
Categorie(s):
Scientific Article
Theme(s):
Forestry Research, Forests, Silviculture
Author(s)
THIFFAULT, Nelson, Robert JOBIDON and Alison D. MUNSON
Year of publication :
2014
Format :
PDF available upon request
How to get the publication :
Keywords :
reboisement, gestion de la végétation, type de plants, nutrition foliaire, méthode de rechange aux herbicides, sylviculture et rendement des plantations, plantation, article scientifique de recherche forestière, silviculture and yield of plantations, reforestation, herbicide alternative, vegetation management, stock type, foliar nutrition
