Fertilizer levels and fungal strain influence the development of ectomycorrhizae on Sitka spruce seedlings

Abstract

Application. The nutrient regime recommended by the British Forestry Commission for rearing conifer seedlings in containers with solid, controlled-release fertilizers was not conducive to the formation of ectomycorrhizae on containerized Sitka spruce seedlings, either through inoculation with known symbionts or by naturally occurring ectomycorrhizal fungi. These results and those from a previous study indicate that containerized Sitka spruce seedlings of an acceptable size for outplanting and with a high proportion of their short roots colonized by the desired ectomycorrhizai symbiont can be obtained within a single growing season by using a weekly application of approximately 6.1 g per m 2 of bench space of a soluble 19-19-19 (N-P-K) liquid fertilizer.Abstract. Effects of low, medium, and high applications of solid, controlled-release fertilizers on ectomycorrhizal formation of containerized Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) CarL) seedlings with a nursery or forest isolate of either Thelephora terrestris (Ehrh.) Fr., Laccaria laccata (Scop. ex Fr.) Cooke, or the "E-strain" fungus was evaluated 14 weeks after inoculation. The influence of fungal species and isolate source on seedling growth and nutrient status was also evaluated through an analysis of variance. Seedlings receiving the low level of fertilization were significantly smaller than those receiving the medium or high level. Fungal species and isolate source did not affect seedling size and was significant only for the percentage of short roots colonized which tended to be highest in the low fertilizer treatment. Analyses of foliage revealed that concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus did not differ significantly by fertilizer level or fungal type whereas potassium was significantly higher at the low level of fertilization and magnesium was significantly lower at the low level of fertilization.

Mycorrhization, physiognomy, and first-year survivability of conifer seedlings following natural fire in Grand Teton National Park

“…The proportion of mycorrhizal to nonmycorrhizal short roots agrees fairly well with published accounts of mycorrhizal infection in bare-root and container seedling nurseries (Marx et al 1989;Molina 1982;Shaw et al 1982Shaw et al , 1987, as well as for mature conifer forests (Vogt et al 1983). The proportion of mycorrhizal to nonmycorrhizal short roots agrees fairly well with published accounts of mycorrhizal infection in bare-root and container seedling nurseries (Marx et al 1989;Molina 1982;Shaw et al 1982Shaw et al , 1987, as well as for mature conifer forests (Vogt et al 1983).…”

Mycorrhizal associations of Sitka‐spruce seedlings propagated in Irish tree nurseries

“…), a non-native conifer, is the preferred timber crop and yields of 18-26 mVha/annum have been recorded for young stands (BULFIN 1987). The expansion of afforestation may give rise to problems of a mycorrhizal nature but, unlike many pine species, Sitka spruce does not appear to be obligately dependent on specific mycorrhizal fungi for its survival and growth, provided nutrients are available (SHAW et al 1987). Sitka-spruce seedlings are capable of acquiring mycorrhizas both in the nursery and on outplanted sites but the extent to which they do so can vary considerably depending on soil type (MASON et al 1986;WALKER 1987;WILSON et al 1987).…”

Fertilizantes de entrega controlada: potencial para mejorar la productividad de la reforestación

“…Castellano et al (36) y Hunt (34) demostraron que aplicaciones de Osmocote ® reducen la formación de micorrizas en plantas en contenedores, mien-tras que Chakravarty y Chatarpaul (37) encontraron que el desarrollo de ectomicorrizas de tamarak (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) fue sustancial, sin importar la aplicación de Osmocote ® (17-6-10) y/o un fertilizante soluble (10-52-10). Shaw et al (38) encontraron que la colonización de hongos tiende a aumentar con aplicaciones más bajas de FEC, pero las plántulas de abeto de Sitka fueron más grandes a tasas de fertilización mayores.…”