Evaluating effects of nursery and post-planting nutrient regimes on leaf chemistry and browsing of eucalypt seedlings in plantations

Water Stress and Afforestation: A Contribution to Ameliorate Forest Seedling Performance During the Establishment

“…Water availability manipulation during the nursery period of E. camaldulensis seedlings modified leaves essential oil composition, and drought triggered a significant increase in several oxygenated terpenes production (particularly linalool and 1,8-cineole) known to repel different defoliator species (Leicah et al, 2010). Seedlings of E. globulus and E. nitens with high-fertilizer nursery treatment were browsed more than the low-fertilizer nursery treatment, the results being consistent with their differences in foliar N and tannins (Close et al, 2004). Similarly, the young foliage of E. nitens seedlings that receive medium and high levels of nutrient regime was intensively consumed.…”

“…Eucalyptus p l a n t s w i t h h i g h l e v e l s o f fertilization showed higher levels of herbivory (Paine & Hanlon, 2010). Similarly, Eucalyptus seedlings, which had higher foliage N, lower tanin and higher essential oil levels were more browsed (Close et al, 2004 McGraw et al, 1990;Norghaver et al, 2008;Salgado-Luarte & Gianoli, 2011). Differential herbivory in contrasting light environments may reflect light-induced differences in plant defensive traits such as leaf toughness and carbon-based secondary compounds.…”

Characteristics of tree seedlings and neighbouring vegetation have an additive influence on browsing by generalist herbivores

“…The manufacturer suggests repellent remains effective for 3 months after treatment (Roe Koh and Associates Pty Ltd., 2000), but vulnerable new growth began to appear after just 3 weeks. Previous studies have demonstrated much larger differences in browsing between seedlings grown under different nutritional conditions Close et al, 2004) or which differ genetically in their secondary chemistry (O'Reilly-Wapstra et al, 2002). In the current study, it is likely we would have detected a greater effect of seedling palatability had the differences between the two seedling treatments been greater.…”

“…One common method for reducing palatability of eucalypts is through applying less fertiliser . Close et al (2004) found that chemical differences were retained over a 10-week study at two of three sites. An alternative method, which is likely to last longer than these environmental modifications, is to plant seedling varieties that are more resistant to browsing.…”

Effect of Intraspecific Competition and Substrate Type on Terpene Emissions from Some Mediterranean Plant Species

“…In contrast to released terpenes, studies dealing with soil nutrient effects on stored or accumulated terpenes within leaves have been more frequent (e.g., Kainulainen et al, 1996;Close et al, 2004). However, those studies were performed on the basis of different fertilizer treatments (Harley et al, 1994;Litvak et al, 1996), and they show inconsistent results.…”