Evaluation of morphological attributes as response variables to perennial competition for 4-year-old black spruce and jack pine seedlings

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1696-1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Morris ◽  
G. B. MacDonald ◽  
K. M. McClain
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Incident Radiation ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Morphological Attributes ◽  
Stock Types ◽  
Response Variables

The sensitivity of seedling morphological attributes to changing competition levels was evaluated on 4-year-old black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.) seedlings to determine the most appropriate response variables to be used in the assessment of early plantation performance. A total of 720 seedlings (360 per species) were sampled between 1987 and 1989, covering a range of stock types, soil textures, and competition levels. A competition index, derived from hemispherical photographs, provided an estimate of incident radiation received by each sampled seedling. Seedling stem volume at time of planting was used as a covariate in the regression analyses. Stratification by plantation was done to account for variations in site quality. The results from this study demonstrated that total height or current height increment were not reliable for quantifying individual seedling response to inter specific competition for 4-year-old black spruce or jack pine plantations. Overall, the most consistent response variable was total seedling dry weight. Coefficients of determination ranged from 0.116 to 0.534 for black spruce and from 0.601 to 0.810 for jack pine across the range of sites and stock types. If it is inappropriate to determine total seedling dry weight, root collar diameter would be the best substitute. Correlation coefficients between these two variables were 0.897 for black spruce and 0.912 for jack pine.

Growth and Morphology of Black Spruce, Jack Pine, and White Spruce Container Seedlings in Northern Ontario

1995 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
Anneli Jalkanen
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Morphological Attributes ◽  
Crop Development ◽  
In The Beginning

Abstract The development of morphological attributes of containerized seedlings during the growing season was studied in eight crops from three nurseries in Northern Ontario, including four black spruce crops, three jack pine crops, and one white spruce crop. The variability was proportionally largest in root and shoot dry mass, followed by height and diameter. During seedling growth, proportionally the variability of size did not seem to increase. In absolute scale, however, differences between individual seedlings increased more than differences between seedling trays, possibly due to competition between individuals. Height and shoot growth were greater in the beginning of the growing season, and diameter and root growth were greater toward the end. In comparison to standards, the balance between morphological attributes (height/diameter, shoot/root) was usually acceptable, and usually independent of seedling size. The easiest way of monitoring crop development is to take seedling samples at regular intervals and to construct a growth progression curve for seedling height, if diameter growth reaches acceptable level. Care should be taken that the height of seedlings does not increase too much at the expense of diameter and root development in the larger crops. To monitor this, height-diameter ratios and shoot-root ratios might be measured a couple of times during the growing season to take corrective action if necessary. North. J. Appl. For. 12(2):69-74.

Influence of cultural practices on the relationship between frost tolerance and water content of containerized black spruce, white spruce, and jack pine seedlings

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Calmé ◽  
Hank A. Margolis ◽  
Francine J. Bigras
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Frost Tolerance ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Bud Formation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Short Days

Two experiments were performed to study how cultural practices influenced the relationship between frost tolerance and water content of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss), and jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.) seedlings. In the first experiment, first-year black spruce seedlings were subjected to 14-d mid-August treatments of short days of 8 h or to natural day length, during which time seedlings were either irrigated or not. In the second experiment, first-year white spruce, black spruce, and jack pine seedlings were fertilized at two levels, normal or double, during the growing season. In the fall, we followed the evolution of frost tolerance, water content (dry weight to fresh weight ratio), height and diameter growth, bud formation, and mineral concentrations of shoots and roots. In the first experiment, short days accelerated frost acclimation, drop in water content, and bud formation. Short days with no irrigation triggered the cessation of height growth. In the second experiment, normal fertilization slightly improved frost tolerance in white spruce. Diameter growth (except for white spruce) and bud formation were enhanced by high nitrogen concentration, whereas no significant effect of fertilization could be found on height growth and water content. In both experiments, the relationship between frost tolerance and water content was independent of treatments and indicated that nontolerant seedlings (lethal temperature for 50% of the seedlings > −10 °C) had dry weight to fresh weight ratios of less than 30% for the three species. Thus, this rapid method of evaluating frost tolerance could be useful to seedling producers in eastern Canada and might be applicable to other species in other regions as well.

Critical period of interspecific competition for northern conifers associated with herbaceous vegetation

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 890-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G Wagner ◽  
Gina H Mohammed ◽  
Thomas L Noland
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Critical Period ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Herbaceous Vegetation

Using critical-period analysis, we examined the temporal effects of interspecific competition from herbaceous vegetation on seedlings of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.), and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) during the first 5 years after planting. The critical period is the time period during stand development when interspecific competition reduces tree growth. We found both similarities and differences in responses among tree species. Gains in stem volume index associated with increasing duration of vegetation control (expressed by weed-free curves) differed among species. In contrast, declines in stem volume index with increasing duration of competition after planting (expressed by weed-infested curves) were equal among species. Critical periods for stem volume index were shorter for shade-intolerant jack and red pine (1 and 2 years after planting) than for more shade-tolerant white pine and black spruce (1-3 years for spruce and 1-4 years for white pine). Intolerant species had greater absolute stem volume growth, but smaller relative declines from continuous association with herbaceous vegetation (85, 81, 78, and 67% for white pine, black spruce, red pine, and jack pine, respectively). Herbaceous vegetation did not affect survival and had a variable influence on height growth of all species.

Functional growth analysis of conifer seedling responses to competing vegetation

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Blake MacDonald ◽  
G. F. Weetman
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Relative Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Analysis ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Programmable Calculator ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Absolute Growth ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Stock Types

A modification of functional growth analysis is proposed for investigating the responses of conifer seedlings to vegetative competition. The approach permits detailed comparisons of the absolute growth and relative growth rate with respect to competition level between crop species and between stock types. In this study, jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) demonstrated greater height and diameter growth than black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) across the range of competition. However, competition had a larger negative impact on relative growth rate for jack pine. The absolute growth and relative growth rate were greater for bare root stock than for container stock, indicating that the effects of initial size differences between the stock types remained four years after planting. In all cases, the negative effect on seedling growth of each unit of competition diminished as the competition intensity increased.A practical application of functional growth analysis is suggested to assist free-to-grow assessments in plantations. The underlying functions would be developed separately for each ecological site type encountered, and would use root collar diameter increment to assess seedling potential. With the functions entered into a programmable calculator, field crews could rapidly obtain the required competition measurements, apply the functions, and make tending decisions. Key words: Relative growth rate, competition threshold, vegetation management, free-to-grow, plantation, tending, weeding, black spruce, jack pine

scholarly journals Régénération artificielle des pessières noires à éricacées : effets du scarifiage, de la fertilisation et du type de plants après 10 ans

2004 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Thiffault ◽  
Guillaume Cyr ◽  
Guy Prégent ◽  
Robert Jobidon ◽  
Lise Charette
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Ericaceous Shrubs ◽  
Soil Scarification ◽  
Stock Types ◽  
A Minor

Site invasion by ericaceous shrubs after perturbation, either natural or human, is a major concern on some sites of the boreal forest of Québec. A dense cover of ericaceous shrubs often induces a conifer "growth check," which can last several decades. An interaction study was initiated in 1991 with the general objective of developing silvicultural strategies to ensure plantation success on such sites. Black spruce, jack pine, and tamarack seedlings were planted. Stock type, scarification, and fertilization treatments were organised in a randomized block split plot design. We measured seedling total height periodically over a ten-year period and assessed basal area and survival ten years after plantation. Most responses to treatments were additive. Results indicated that mechanical soil scarification is of major importance to ensure seedling growth, both in height and basal area, on spruce-ericaceous shrub sites of northeastern Québec. Scarification allowed a better expression of the site index, implying a sustainable impact on microsite characteristics that is greater than short-term effects on mineralization and nutrient availability. Fertilization positively influenced seedling growth, but less than soil scarification. Species choice had a strong impact on site productivity. Over a ten-year period, stock types only had a minor influence on plantation success, when compared to scarification or fertilization effects. Key words: Kalmia angustifolia, ericaceous shrubs, survival, growth, regeneration, black spruce, jack pine, tamarack

Early progeny testing and evaluation of controlled crosses of black spruce

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 1442-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianne J. Williams ◽  
Bruce P. Dancik ◽  
Richard P. Pharis
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Branch Length ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Progeny Testing ◽  
Branch Number ◽  
Shoot Height

Known parent F1 crosses of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill) B.S.P.) were ranked in field progeny tests at ages 7 to 13 years for height and stem volume growth. Nine crosses, including two selfs, were chosen for early juvenile progeny testing in a glasshouse environment. Performance of early seedling growth for the same nine families grown under both field and glasshouse conditions were thus compared in a retrospective study. Juvenile–mature correlations were established between a number of traits associated with tree growth and vigor. Within the nine families there was a ranking from "fast"- to "slow"-growing family groups. Monthly measurements of morphological characters at ages 3 to 6 months in the glasshouse showed highly significant family variation for total height, root collar diameter, lateral branch number, needle number, volume, branch length, and shoot, root, and total seedling dry weights. Weekly application of gibberellin A4/7(GA4/7) beginning at age 3 months influenced 5- and 6-month shoot volume and shoot height, and final dry weight measurements (age 6 months). Height growth of the four slowest growing families (two outcrossed, two selfed) was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased by GA4/7 application, but the hormone had no significant effect on height growth of the five faster-growing families (all out-crossed). This may indicate that endogenous gibberellins are not limiting for height growth of faster growing families, but may be limiting for height growth of slower growing families. Simple correlations were highly significant between age 7 to 13 years for field height measurements, and 13-year field volume, versus glasshouse height, stem volume, and the several dry weight measurements at age 6 months. Similarly, Spearman rank order correlations were also significant. These strong correlations between early growth in the glasshouse environment and that of field growth (age 7 to 13 years) suggest that the poorest growing crosses can be identified in a juvenile growth progeny tets under glasshouse conditions by at least age 6 months. Rogueing of the poorest performers as a result of glasshouse testing would thus be at least as reliable as rogueing based on 13 years of field assessment. Selected families for such tests should of course come from similar latitudes and elevations

scholarly journals Five-Year Performance of Three Conifer Stock Types on Fine Sandy Loam Soils Treated With Hexazinone

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Pitt ◽  
C. Stern Krishka ◽  
F. W. Bell ◽  
A. Lehela
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Thunder Bay ◽  
Stock Types ◽  
Herbaceous Weed Control

Abstract In May 1987, hexazinone (Velpar® L) was applied by helicopter at 0, 1, 2, and 4 kg active ingredient (a.i.) in 45 L of total solution per ha to a sandy loam site approximately 74 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Container (FH408 paper pot)jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and container (FH408 paper pot) and bareroot (1½ + 1½) black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) were hot-planted 1 month and deferred-planted 12 months after herbicide application. Survival, height, and diameter growth were monitored annually, through the fall of 1991. Jack pine container stock planted 1 month after hexazinone treatment at 2 and 4 kg a.i./ha suffered 12% greater mortality than trees planted 1 yr later. However, the benefits of early establishment and herbaceous weed control offset these early losses and hot-planted areas supported equal volumes at age 4, and 2.3-fold more volume per ha than deferred-planted areas 5 growing seasons after herbicide treatment. Black spruce container and bareroot stock exhibited high tolerance to hexazinone throughout the range of rates tested. Overall, a 1 yr delay in planting resulted in stem and stand volumes that were less than half of those observed in hot-planted areas. Growth response was positively related to the level of herbaceous weed control achieved, with 4 kg treated areas supporting volumes 2- to 4-fold greater than those on untreated areas. The data illustrate significant growth advantages associated with early crop establishment and herbaceous weed control. North. J. Appl. For. 16(2):72-81.

scholarly journals Jack pine establishment in Ontario: 5-year comparison of stock types ± bracke scarification, mounding, and chemical site preparation

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 545-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Sutton ◽  
T. P. Weldon
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Total Height ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Stock Types

Field experimentation was begun in 1984 to assess performance of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) (2 + 0 bareroot and FH408 Japanese paperpot) in relation to mechanical site preparation, including Bracke scarification with and without supplementary mounding, and site preparation using Roundup® herbicide. Twenty treatments encompassed 4480 trees in 40-tree plots split equally between bareroot and paperpot stock. The study site, about 200 km north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, had deep silt loam soil. After 3 growing seasons, survival was significantly higher among bareroot than among paperpot stock, but survival no longer differed significantly (P < 0.05) between stock types 2 years later. In years 4 and 5, the rate of increase in mean total height of bareroot stock was 11% less than that of paperpot stock, though bareroot stock was 40 and 4.7 cm greater in mean total 5th-year height and 5th-year height increment, respectively. Paperpot stock needed mechanical site preparation more than did bareroot stock. By the end of year 5, positive responses of survival and growth to mounding had become clear in both stock types; however, although mound size had little or no effect on survival or total height, mean stem volume was significantly (P < 0.01) greater on 20-L vs. 10-L mounds. Fifth-year mean stem volume was also significantly (P < 0.01) greater on mineral-on-organic (M/O) than on mineral-on-mineral (M/M) mounds. Chemical site preparation had no effect on relative growth rates beyond year 3. Indices that combined survival with total height or stem volume after 5 years show the significant (P < 0.01) superiority of: 20-L vs. 10-L mounds, M/O vs. M/M mounds, and chemical vs. no-chemical site preparation.

Vertical patterns in specific volume increment along stems of dominant jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and black spruce (Picea mariana) after thinning

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 733-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venceslas Goudiaby ◽  
Suzanne Brais ◽  
Frank Berninger ◽  
Robert Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Specific Volume ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Foliage Density

Jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) total stem volume increment and vertical growth distribution after thinning were quantified and related to foliage biomass, foliage density, and growth efficiency (GE) (stem to foliage biomass ratio). Significant positive stem volume increments were observed following thinning for jack pine (3 years after) and black spruce (4 years after). Both species reacted differently in terms of the distribution in specific volume increments (SVI) (annual stem volume increment to cambial surface ratio): (i) for jack pine, an increase in SVI was first observed at the base of the tree, with the increase moving upwards, showing that the taper was likely to increase following thinning and (ii) for black spruce, the vertical distribution of SVI was constant, leading to no modifications in stem taper. For jack pine, total stem volume growth was related to an increase in GE and a greater foliage biomass at midcrown, with foliage density staying constant. For black spruce, however, no changes in GE, foliage biomass, and foliage mass density were observed.

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