Modelling the influence of weed competition on the growth of young Pinus radiata at a dryland site

Watt, Michael S.; Whitehead, David; Richardson, B.; Mason, Euan G.; Leckie, Alan

doi:10.1016/s0378-1127(02)00520-0

Cited by 50 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Therefore broom can be properly managed by cutting out broom stems that overhang the tree saplings' main shoot. However, caution is required as broom can be a strong competitor outside the geographic range of beech (Bossard, 1991;Smith and Harlen, 1991;Watt et al, 2003a).…”

Section: Conclusion: Implications For Forest Vegetation Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparaison des effets de la compétition par les graminées (Graminoïdes) et le genêt (Cytisus scoparius) sur la croissance et les traits fonctionnels de plants de hêtre (Fagus sylvatica)

Provendier¹,

Balandier

2008

Ann. For. Sci.

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Ann. For. Sci. 65 (2008) Abstract -• The effect of two weeds (grasses and broom, Cytisus scoparius) competition on the growth and functional traits of European beech saplings (Fagus sylvatica) was investigated in an experimental plantation in the French Massif central.• We hypothesized that grasses would have a much more harmful effect than broom on beech growth through strong competition for soil water and nitrogen.• A randomized block design was used with three separate blocks, each possessing three types of vegetation; grasses (mainly Agrostis capillaris, Holcus mollis and H. lanatus), broom, and bare soil as a control.• Two years after plantation beech sapling growth was significantly greater in bare soil than with competition from grasses, and was intermediate on broom. Growth was positively correlated with beech leaf nitrogen content (N m ) and xylem water potential (Ψ x ). N and Ψ x were dependent, with nitrogen uptake probably decreasing with increasing drought. There was no clear correlation between growth and light transmitted 10 cm below the apex of the saplings.• Beech leaf mass on an area basis (LMA) was correlated with the three resource variables (water, nitrogen and light) and with growth, confirming that LMA is a sensitive functional trait integrating the degree of stress experienced by the saplings.• The results suggest that broom is less competitive than grasses and, if properly managed on a sufficiently well-watered site, can generate satisfactory conditions for beech establishment and growth.Fagus sylvatica / Cytisus scoparius / competition / nitrogen / water Résumé -Comparaison des effets de la compétition par les graminées (Graminoïdes) et le genêt (Cytisus scoparius) sur la croissance et les traits fonctionnels de plants de hêtre (Fagus sylvatica).• L'effet de la compétition de deux adventices (graminées et genêt, Cytisus scoparius) sur la croissance et les traits fonctionnels de plants de hêtre européen (Fagus sylvatica) a été expérimenté dans une plantation du Massif central.• Nous avons testé l'hypothèse selon laquelle les graminées ont un effet plus délétère que le genêt sur la croissance du hêtre à cause d'une très forte compétition pour l'eau du sol et l'azote.• Un plan d'expérience en trois blocs complets a été utilisé, chacun possédant trois types de végétation : des graminées (principalement Agrostis capillaris, Holcus mollis and H. lanatus), du genêt et un sol nu comme témoin.• Deux ans après la plantation, les plants de hêtre étaient significativement plus gros en sol nu par rapport à ceux subissant la compétition des graminées, ceux en présence du genêt étant intermédiaires. La croissance a été positivement reliée à la teneur en azote des feuilles (N m ) ainsi qu'au potentiel hydrique de xylème (Ψ x ). N m et Ψ x semblent dépendant, l'absorption d'azote diminuant avec l'augmentation de la sécheresse. Aucune corrélation significative n'a pu être mise en évidence entre la croissance des plants et la lumière transmise à 10 cm sous leur apex.• La masse foliaire rapportée à sa s...

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Section: Conclusion: Implications For Forest Vegetation Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparaison des effets de la compétition par les graminées (Graminoïdes) et le genêt (Cytisus scoparius) sur la croissance et les traits fonctionnels de plants de hêtre (Fagus sylvatica)

Provendier¹,

Balandier

2008

Ann. For. Sci.

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“…At the dryland site, the difference in growth rate was attributable to more pronounced seasonal root-zone water deficit where the weeds were present (Watt et al 2003a(Watt et al , 2003b. The effects of removal of competitive weeds during the establishment phase in young conifer plantations in enhancing tree growth are well documented (Baker 1973;Knowe et al 1985;Nelson et al 1985;Richardson et al 1996;Mason and Whyte 1997;Zhao 1999;Watt et al 2003a), with growth gains ranging from 25-fold 1 year after planting to almost two-fold after 10 years (Richardson 1993). These growth gains have been primarily attributed to increased availability of water, light and nutrients (Nambiar and Sands 1993;Richardson 1993), and there is strong evidence to suggest that growth gains in the juvenile phase are maintained throughout the length of the rotation (Snowdon and Khanna 1989;Balneaves and McCord 1990;Mason and Milne 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Such an approach requires information on the effects of silvicultural treatment on growth rate and wood quality in the early growth stages. Large differences in tree height and diameter growth in 3-year-old Pinus radiata D. Don trees growing where the tall competitive understorey weed broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) was present or removed (Watt et al 2003a) provided an opportunity to investigate differences in wood cell properties associated with the treatment differences. At the dryland site, the difference in growth rate was attributable to more pronounced seasonal root-zone water deficit where the weeds were present (Watt et al 2003a(Watt et al , 2003b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Large differences in tree height and diameter growth in 3-year-old Pinus radiata D. Don trees growing where the tall competitive understorey weed broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) was present or removed (Watt et al 2003a) provided an opportunity to investigate differences in wood cell properties associated with the treatment differences. At the dryland site, the difference in growth rate was attributable to more pronounced seasonal root-zone water deficit where the weeds were present (Watt et al 2003a(Watt et al , 2003b. The effects of removal of competitive weeds during the establishment phase in young conifer plantations in enhancing tree growth are well documented (Baker 1973;Knowe et al 1985;Nelson et al 1985;Richardson et al 1996;Mason and Whyte 1997;Zhao 1999;Watt et al 2003a), with growth gains ranging from 25-fold 1 year after planting to almost two-fold after 10 years (Richardson 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wood properties of juvenile Pinus radiata growing in the presence and absence of competing understorey vegetation at a dryland site

Watt

Downes

Whitehead

et al. 2005

Trees

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Pinus radiataD. Don trees were grown in the presence and absence of the woody weed broom(Cytisus scoparius L.) on a dryland site for 2 years to determine the effects of competition from weeds on wood properties in juvenile trees. Wood property measurements made on cross-sections from the bark to the pith were scaled to convert results from distance to a time basis using sigmoidal equations fitted to monthly measurements of tree diameter. When averaged across the 2 years, the presence of the weeds significantly increased wood density (+11%), wall thickness (+6%) and modulus of elasticity (MOE SS , +93%), and significantly reduced microfibril angle (MFA, −21%) and radial diameter (−8%). Radial growth rate was significantly correlated to wood density, and this relationship held across both treatment and age. At the seasonal scale, there was close correspondence between changes in MFA and growth rate. Ring width was significantly related to both MFA and MOE SS at the annual scale. Although both of these relationships held across treatments, year significantly influenced the value of coefficients in the relationships. The results highlight the direct effects of the presence of weeds on wood properties and the need to consider silvicultural treatments appropriate for balancing gains in productivity with losses in wood quality for timber production.

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“…Studies carried out on both moist (Richardson et al 1996;Richardson et al 1999) and dry sites (Clinton et al 1995;Richardson et al 1997;Richardson and Whitehead 2002;Watt et al, 2003) have shown that broom can have a large negative influence on radiata pine growth during the establishment phase. These effects persist in stands that are slow to close canopy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative persistence of commonly used forestry herbicides for preventing the establishment of broom (Cytisus scoparius) seedlings in New Zealand plantations

Trần

Harrington

Robertson

et al. 2015

N.Z. j. of For. Sci.

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Background: Many of the herbicides used in site preparation of forests and during initial selective weed management can persist in the soil for several months, killing or stunting seedlings of broom (Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link) as they establish. The objective of this research was to determine the relative persistence and effect over time of the herbicides most widely applied within radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don) plantations in New Zealand on broom survival and growth. Methods: Eleven herbicide treatments were applied in early summer to a Tokomaru silt loam soil. Soil samples were collected from each treatment at fortnightly intervals for up to a year. The samples were placed into pots and immediately sown with scarified viable broom seeds in a heated glasshouse. Relative growth and biomass of seedlings were determined as the ratio of growth and survival in each treatment relative to growth and survival in an untreated control. Logistic curves were fitted to recorded values of relative growth and survival over time and the time to reach 50 and 95% of the vigour of the plants in the untreated control was determined. Results: The treatments can be approximately ranked in the following order from most to least persistent: triclopyr/ picloram > high rate of clopyralid > high rate of hexazinone > terbuthylazine/hexazinone > low rate of hexazinone > low rate of clopyralid > high rate of terbuthylazine > triclopyr > high rate of metsulfuron-methyl > low rate of terbuthylazine > low rate of metsulfuron-methyl. Conclusion: As the rate of triclopyr/picloram used in this work is too phytotoxic to be used selectively over newly planted radiata pines, this treatment would only be suitable prior to tree planting so residual activity would control seedlings that develop after scrub clearance. For post-plant weed management operations, results show hexazinone and high rates of clopyralid to be useful for long-term management of broom as both these herbicides have low phytotoxicity to radiata pine. When combined with low rates of triclopyr and picloram, clopyralid could provide an effective treatment that could be used in combination with oversown or naturally occurring grasses to manage broom.

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Modelling the influence of weed competition on the growth of young Pinus radiata at a dryland site

Cited by 50 publications

References 23 publications

Comparaison des effets de la compétition par les graminées (Graminoïdes) et le genêt (Cytisus scoparius) sur la croissance et les traits fonctionnels de plants de hêtre (Fagus sylvatica)

Comparaison des effets de la compétition par les graminées (Graminoïdes) et le genêt (Cytisus scoparius) sur la croissance et les traits fonctionnels de plants de hêtre (Fagus sylvatica)

Wood properties of juvenile Pinus radiata growing in the presence and absence of competing understorey vegetation at a dryland site

Relative persistence of commonly used forestry herbicides for preventing the establishment of broom (Cytisus scoparius) seedlings in New Zealand plantations

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