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

Abstract

This article presents the results of laboratory examinations concerning the effects of soil bulk density on the growth of sessile oak Quercus petraea Liebl. seedlings. The soil for the study was collected from a nursery plot and then compacted into PCV pots in eight different bulk density levels ranging from 0.81 to 1.32 g cm -3 . Oak seedlings were cultivated in controlled conditions for 76 days after sowing. The growth and mass parameters of particular seedlings together with the parameters of the assimilation apparatus and roots were measured, taking into account the share of various diameter roots in the root system. For the purpose of the experiment, 120 acorns were sowed, of which 73 seedlings were cultured. An analysis of the growth of the sessile oak seedlings revealed that a change in soil density significantly affected root system development, total height of seedlings and dry mass. It was observed that the dry mass of the root system as well as the area and length of the roots decreased with an increase in soil density. Root system reduction was noted, the size of which determines the proper development of the tree and ensures its stability. Besides a decrease in the root system, an increase in soil compaction also resulted in a reduction in the number of roots of a specified diameter. The first to be affected were the smallest roots, i.e., those with diameters up to 0.2 mm, which are responsible for the uptake of mineral components. It was confirmed that even a slight increase in soil compaction might negatively result in the growth of young seedlings, impeding root system development.

The role of selected tree species in industrial sewage sludge/flotation tailing management

“…The biomass of Quercus robur was higher, but the high mortality of Quercus seedlings (according to the results of investigations) limits its application in phytoremediation. This is similar to the results of Kormanek et al (2015a), who reported that increased soil compaction had a negative impact on oak seedling growth. It is also worth noting that Kormanek et.…”

Early response ofQuercus roburseedlings to soil compaction following germination

“…The repeated measurements of height revealed that high levels of soil compaction significantly reduced height growth since emergence. A reduction in above‐ground growth was reported for oak species ( Q. rubra, Q. coccinea, Q. alba , and Q. petraea ) in studies conducted under controlled environmental conditions (growth chamber or greenhouses) by Jordan et al (), Kormanek et al (), and Tworkoski et al () at the end of longer growing periods, that is, after 150, 76, and 40 days, respectively. Detrimental effects on the height of Q. robur seedlings grown in the field were also observed by Cambi, Hoshika, et al () in compacted soil after the first growing season.…”

Fine‐root exploitation strategies differ in tropical old growth and logged‐over forests in Ghana

“…), and reduced root length in plants (Kormanek et al . ). The high root length and surface area in the upper 0–10 cm would allow plants to capture the nutrients that are concentrated in that layer, which is particularly important in the tropics where leaching is high.…”

“…Soil organic matter and nutrient concentration decreased, while bulk density increased with soil depth in both forests (Addo-Danso SD, unpublished data). Indeed, increased soil bulk density may lead to roots with high SRA (Lõhmus et al 1989), reduced root surface area (Jamro et al 2015), and reduced root length in plants (Kormanek et al 2015). The high root length and surface area in the upper 0-10 cm would allow plants to capture the nutrients that are concentrated in that layer, which is particularly important in the tropics where leaching is high.…”