Original scientific paper
CONTAINER SIZE AND SOIL PREPARATION EFFECTS ON AFFORESTATION SUCCESS OF ONE YEAR OLD STONE PINE (Pinus pinea L.) SEEDLINGS IN CROATIAN MEDITERRANENAN AREA
Goran Jelić
; Institut za jadranske kulture i melioraciju krša, Split
Vlado Topić
; Institut za jadranske kulture i melioraciju krša, Split
Lukrecija Butorac
; Institut za jadranske kulture i melioraciju krša, Split
Zoran Đurđević
; Hrvatske šume d.o.o., UŠP Split
Anamarija Jazbec
; Šumarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Milan Oršanić
; Šumarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Abstract
For successful afforestation in Mediterranean karst areas several important criteria must be fulfilled, especially adequate tree species selection, high-quality seedlings and proper soil preparation. Considering above metioned conditions, morphological features of one-year old stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) seedlings were analyzed. Seedlings were grown in different types of containers to establish the effect of container type on development (quality) of above- and belowground parts of the seedlings. Survival rates, growth and development of seedlings were measured and monitored in the period from 2003 to 2009, in forest culture on experimental plot in the vicinity of Šibenik (Mediterranean part of Croatia). Seedlings were planted both on ripped ground and in the pits with dimensions of 40 × 40 × 40 cm.
Four types of containers were used: MP53/12, MP33/18, T7/24 and T8/24. Studied seedling variables (morphological features) include: seedling height, root collar diameter, biomass of the aboveground part of the seedlings and total seedling biomass. Two morphological indexes were calculated from measured variables: S/R ratio and DQI. Morphological dimensions of root systems (total root length, number of root tips, surface area and root volume) were scanned and measured with WinRhizo software. Seedlings were arranged over the area of the experimental plot according to the randomized block method. Seedlings were randomly assigned to 3 blocks (block area = 0.2 ha). Within each block two types of soil preparation prior to planting were performed: in pits with dimensions of 40 × 40 × 40 cm, and on the ripped ground. Each year during the experiment, after the growth cessation, seedlings were measured for height increment, and survival rates (e.g. mortality), with
respect to container type and planting method. After six years plants were also measured for stem diameter at the height of 10 cm above ground level. Morphological features with regard to container type were evaluated with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple Turkey’s post hoc test. Relationship between survival rates in 2009 and initial seedling height, container type, soil preparation method, as well as their interactions, for the period between 2003 and 2009, was evaluated with the repeated measures analysis of variance. ANOVA was also used to test for the influence of container type and soil preparation method on the diameters of seedlings six years after planting.
Morphological features of seedlings derived from the samples of 20 seedlings per container type (Table 2), mostly showed significantly higher values in larger containers (T7/24 and T8/24) compared to smaller containers (MP53/12 and MP33/18). Root analyses also showed that roots of seedlings from smallest containers (MP53/12) were deformed to a high degree (Picture 2 and 3). In larger containers (MP33/18) root deformation was largely reduced. On the other hand, bind of roots into growing medium in seedlings grown in large containers was insufficient, although the roots were not deformed. Results indicate that the survival rates over six years in forest culture were influenced mainly by soil preparation (exp (β) = 3,4591; p < 0,0001), followed by container size in interaction with soil preparation method. Seedlings from larger containers (seedlings of higher quality) planted on ripped ground had several times lesser mortality compared to seedlings from smaller containers planted in pits excavated manually (exp (β) = 3,0710; p = 0,0024). Container type and soil preparation also exhibited influence on height growth of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.). Seedlings of stone pine grown in larger containers show more intensive growth and development in forest culture during first six years (F = 101,488; p < 0,000001). Similarly, seedlings planted on ripped ground have better growth and development characteristics compared to seedlings planted in pits with dimensions of 40 × 40 × 40 cm (F = 83,750; p < 0,000001). Six years after the planting seedlings grown initially in larger containers (T7/24 and T8/24) had larger stem diameters (F = 32,663; p = 0,00001) compared to seedlings originated from smaller containers (MP53/12 and MP33/18). Plants that were growing on ripped ground have managed to acquire larger stem diameters compared to seedlings planted in pits (F = 44,187; p = 0,00001).
Seedlings of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) grown in container MP53/12 have developed highly deformed root systems because of inadequate dimensions of this container and its technological absoluteness. Therefore is recommended to gradually abandon the use of MP53/12 and MP33/18 containers from nursery production. Further research is needed to eventually define new, modern solutions adapted to production of high-quality seedlings for afforestation of Mediterranean karst area. Without proper soil preparation (ripping in this case) and adequate containers for production of high-quality seedlings it is impossible to successfully afforest Mediterranean karst area.
Keywords
mediterranean karst area; container type; morphological features of seedlings; soil preparation; afforestation success; height growth
Hrčak ID:
133540
URI
Publication date:
30.11.2014.
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