Effect of soil bulk density on forest tree seedlings

Abstract

The paper presents the results of an analysis of the influence of soil bulk density in a forest nursery plot on the growth and quality parameters of Scots pine and European beech seedlings. Particular density variants were obtained using a tractor device exerting controlled pressure on the soil, while field examinations were performed on an area of ‘Kłaj’ forest nursery in Niepołomice Forest District. Three series of plots were prepared for each species, applying a unit pressure of the values of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 kPa, corresponding to the dry bulk density in the range of 1.03-1.19 g cm-3, and control plots without the pressure. Seeds of the examined species were sown on the prepared plots, and after 6 months of growth the seedlings were subjected to biometric analysis determining differentiation in root neck diameter, length of the above-ground part and root system, as well as dry mass of particular parts of the plant. The quality of the seedlings was also determined using the method of Schmidt-Vogt. The results obtained show that the change in dry bulk density soil significantly affected most of the growth parameters of the examined seedlings. Especially high negative correlations were obtained for the length and dry mass of the root system. A significant influence of dry bulk density variant on all growth parameters of Scots pine seedlings, and on some parameters of European beech was demonstrated. An increase in soil bulk density clearly caused also a deterioration of European beech seedlings quality

Automation of the Acorn Scarification Process as a Contribution to Sustainable Forest Management. Case Study: Common Oak

“…Seeds have a clearly defined period of appearance, and their survival is limited due to pathogenic fungal infections and to the fact that they are a good feeding base for rodents and wild boars [8][9][10]. In addition, after acorn germination, seedlings often die as a result of over-shading or excessively concise soil, which makes their rooting difficult [11]. In view of the above, artificial regeneration is commonly used for common oak, and seedlings are increasingly grown in container nurseries [12,13].…”

Effects of soil bulk density on sessile oak Quercus petraea Liebl. seedlings

“…Our study concerning the effects of soil density on various species of forest trees has been conducted in tree stands (Williamson and Neilsen 2000;Mariani et al 2006;Ampoorter et al 2007;Neruda 2008;Boateng et al 2011;Kormanek and Banach 2012;Picchio et al 2012), in forest nursery conditions (Day and Bassuk 1994;Boja 2010, 2011;Kormanek et al 2015) as well as by experiments performed in laboratory conditions (Blouin et al 2008;Bejarano et al 2010;Kormanek 2013).…”

Bioturbation by bandicoots facilitates seedling growth by altering soil properties

“…Although we did not measure bulk density among the soil treatments, previous research has identified that spoil heaps created by digging animals often have lower bulk density than undisturbed soils (reviewed in Platt et al., ). In manipulative experiments, lower soil bulk density positively affected many growth parameters of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) and European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) seedlings (Kormanek, Banach, & Sowa, ). In addition to the potential changes in soil density, we propose that foraging by quenda created an environment conducive for litter decomposition in the spoil heap that subsequently returned nutrients to the soil, making them available for plant uptake and therefore facilitating seedling growth.…”