Managing nutrient regimes improves seedling root-growth potential of framework banksia-woodland species

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Griffiths ◽  
Jason C. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Slow Release ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Root Growth Potential ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Root Shoot Ratio ◽  
Nursery Production

Limited success of restoring framework banksia-woodland species has been attributed to the failure of seedlings to establish deep root systems before the onset of the summer drought. The present glasshouse study investigated how optimising nutrient application during nursery production may increase new-root production after outplanting. Two experimental streams were established to (1) optimise nutrient application rates during nursery production and (2) utilise nutrient-loading techniques to improve root production of Banksia menziesii R.Br., Banksia attenuata R.Br. and Eucalyptus todtiana F.Muell after outplanting. Optimal nutrient-application rates were determined by measuring plant growth and internal nutrient responses to eight application levels of slow-release fertiliser (0–18 kg m–3, nitrogen (N) : phosphorus (P) : potassium (K) = 17 : 1.6 : 8.7). Nutrient-loading treatments utilised seedlings that had been grown under common industry fertiliser conditions (3 kg m–3 native Osmocote, N : P : K = 17 : 1.6 : 8.7) supplied with ‘low’ or ‘high’ loading doses of liquid Thrive continuously over 6 weeks, immediately before outplanting. Seedlings from both experiments were then outplanted to 1-m-deep poly-pipe tubes containing habitat soil. After 12 weeks, plants were harvested and new-root production and shoot growth were measured. Optimal concentrations of slow-release fertiliser for maximum outplanting success as indicated by increased root investment (root : shoot ratio and new-root production) were 8–12 kg m–3 for all species. Nutrient loading increased N and P concentrations of plants by up to 80% and 127%, respectively, by luxury nutrient consumption, and after planting, nutrient-loaded seedlings produced 1.5-fold the biomass of conventionally fertilised seedlings, this being the result of greater root productivity. In conclusion, optimising nursery nutrient regimes for framework species may increase root-growth potential, assisting in improving plant establishment in restoration programs.

Root Stripping Reduces Root Growth Potential Of Loblolly Pine Seedlings

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. South ◽  
Nancy J. Stumpff
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Relative Effect ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Root Growth Potential ◽  
Root Shoot Ratio ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Root Apices

Abstract Stripping short roots from individual loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings was accomplished by pulling the root system through a closed fist either 1, 2, or 4 times. The root growth potential (RGP) of the seedlings was directly related to the intensity of stripping. One stripping removed approximately 2% of the total root weight, yet reduced the number of root apices by 22% and caused a 47% reduction in RGP. Four strippings removed approximately 11% of the root weight, reduced the root/shoot ratio by about 9% and resulted in a 69% reduction in RGP. Although stripping of roots reduced both shoot and root growth, the relative effect on new shoot growth was not as great as with new root growth. Root stripping effectively eliminated any correlation between seedling diameter and RGP. South. J. Appl. For. 14(4):196-199.

Root System Fibrosity of Sitka Spruce Transplants: Relationship with Root Growth Potential

1990 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. DEANS ◽  
C. LUNDBERG ◽  
M. G. R. CANNELL ◽  
M. B. MURRAY ◽  
L. J. SHEPPARD
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Root Growth Potential

scholarly journals Root Growth Potential and Microsite Effects on Conifer Seedling Establishment in Northern Idaho

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 597
Author(s):  
Jacob A. Reely ◽  
Andrew S. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Seedling Quality ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Larix Occidentalis ◽  
Root Growth Potential ◽  
Western Larch ◽  
Neighborhood Conditions ◽  
Seedling Performance ◽  
Survival And Growth

Environmental conditions and seedling quality interact to produce complex patterns of seedling survival and growth. Root growth potential (RGP) is one metric of seedling quality that can be rapidly measured prior to planting, but the correlation of RGP and seedling performance is not consistent across studies. Site factors including microsite objects that cast shade and competing vegetation can also influence seedling performance. We examined the effects of RGP, presence/absence of a microsite object, and competition cover on the survival and growth of three native conifers to the Inland Northwest, USA, over 5 years. We found that RGP had no effect on the survival or growth of western larch (Larix occidentalis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), and grand fir (Abies grandis) at a mesic north aspect site and a xeric south aspect site. Comparatively, the presence of a microsite increased the odds of survival by 37% for western larch and 158% for grand fir, while the absence of forb cover increased the odds of survival of western larch by 72% and of grand fir by 26%. Douglas fir was less sensitive to microsites and competition. The strong effects of neighborhood conditions around seedlings help inform silvicultural practices to enhance the establishment of western larch and grand fir, including planting seedlings near shading objects and competition control, while these practices may not be as important for Douglas fir.

Seed spacing and seedling biomass: Effect on root growth potential of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)

New Forests ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. South ◽  
Harry S. Larsen ◽  
James N. Boyer ◽  
Hans M. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Root Growth Potential ◽  
Seedling Biomass ◽  
Seed Spacing

Carbohydrate reserves and root growth potential in Douglas-fir seedlings before and after cold storage

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 905-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary A. Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Cold Storage ◽  
Drought Resistance ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Frost Hardiness ◽  
Root Growth Potential ◽  
Carbohydrate Reserves ◽  
Before And After

Carbohydrate reserves and root growth potential (RGP) of 2 + 0 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were monitored through a lifting season and during dark, cold storage. Concentrations of total nonstructural carbohydrate and extractable sugars in root and stem tissues remained relatively constant through winter, while foliar sugars showed a sharp midwinter peak at about 195 mg•g−1 dry weight. RGP was lowest in November and March and peaked in January. During storage at +2 and −1 °C, carbohydrates were depleted in all tissues through respiratory consumption. In contrast, RGP increased during the first 6 months in storage and then fell rapidly. The results do not support the view that changes in RGP are driven by changes in carbohydrate concentrations. Storage may affect frost hardiness and drought resistance through its effect on sugar concentrations.

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