Nutrient status and field performance of tree seedlings planted in Mediterranean degraded areas

Valdecantos, Alejandro; Cortina, Jordi; Vallejo, V. Ramón

doi:10.1051/forest:2006003

Cited by 65 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…We found low rates of seedling survival, consistent with previous studies on Quercus establishment in Mediterranean environments (Rey Benayas et al 2005;Castro et al 2006;Valdecantos et al 2006;Del Campo et al 2010, Cuesta et al 2010a. As we anticipated (H3), most of this mortality was a consequence of seedling predation; all of unprotected seedlings in the seeding experiment and at least 50 % of the naturally established seedlings (which were not protected) were predated by the end of the first growing season.…”

supporting

confidence: 79%

Predation and aridity slow down the spread of 21-year-old planted woodland islets in restored Mediterranean farmland

et al. 2015

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Planted woodland islets act as sources of seed that may accelerate woodland development in extensive agricultural landscapes. We assessed a 1-ha plot that was planted with 16 100-m 2 islets of holm oak Quercus ilex subsp. ballota seedlings near Toledo (Spain) in 1993. In spring 2014 we measured (1) acorn predation and (2) seedling emergence from seeded acorns at different distances from and orientations around the islets with half of the acorns protected to prevent predation, (3) survival of emerged seedlings, and (4) natural tree establishment outside of the planted islets. Most (96.9 %) unprotected acorns were removed or predated. Seedling emergence from protected acorns ranged from 42.9 % on the northern side of the islets to 13.2 % on the southern side, suggesting a less stressful microclimate on the northern side. Survival of naturally established seedlings was 28.6 % by the end of first summer; seedling mortality was chiefly due to drought (45.0 %) and herbivory (35.0 %). Density of emerged seedlings, surviving seedlings after first dry season, and established oaks [1-year old was similar at different distances from the islets. Over the 21 year time period, 58 new oak individuals [1-year old have established (an average of 3.3 established individuals per ha per year) at an average distance of 6.3 ± 5.4 m away from the closest islet. We conclude that initial oak regeneration triggered by small planted islets in Mediterranean abandoned farmland is slowed down by high acorn predation, seedling herbivory, and stressful microclimatic conditions. Regardless, these islets are a viable tool for regeneration of Mediterranean oak woodland.

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confidence: 79%

Predation and aridity slow down the spread of 21-year-old planted woodland islets in restored Mediterranean farmland

et al. 2015

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“…III). It has been confirmed that high CaCO 3 concentrations in the soil solution can affect the germination and growth of seedlings, because they interfere in P and K assimilation [29,43]. In this sense, further research is needed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct sowing of holm oak acorns: effects of acorn size and soil treatment

et al. 2006

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-A nursery experiment under optimal controlled conditions and a parallel field trial under conditions of severe water stress were conducted to test the influence that acorn size and soil preparation (only in field) exert on the survival and development of this species. The soil preparation consisted of preparing seed beds with a backhoe. The size and weight of the acorn were the factors that most controlled the development of this species in the nursery, while in the field, under conditions of water stress, only acorn weight was related negatively to the root:shoot ratio. Water availability was also found to be a strongly limiting factor for plant development, when the results of the two experiments were compared. In the field, the prior soil preparation negatively affected survival (65%) with respect to control (95%), RCD and R/S ratio. In conclusion, given the low precipitation during the study period and the low survival results reported by other researchers with the introduction of seedlings, even in higher-rainfall localities, sowing acorns directly in the field should be reconsidered as a viable technique for restoring holm oak forests, for forestation on agricultural lands, or the diversification of forest species on a large scale at low costs.Quercus ilex subsp. ballota / acorn / soil treatment / abandoned agricultural land Résumé -Semis directs des glands de chênes : effet de la grosseur des glands et du traitement du sol. Un essai en pépinière en conditions contrôlées optimales et un autre essai en plein champ en conditions de stress hydrique sévère pour le chêne ont été menés pour tester l'influence que la grosseur des glands et la préparation du sol (seulement au champ) exercent sur la survie et le développement de cette espèce. La préparation du sol a consisté en un poquet réalisé avec un retroexcavateur. La grosseur et le poids du gland ont été les facteurs qui ont provoqué le développement plus important de cette espèce en pépinière. Néanmoins, en plein champ, dans des conditions de stress hydrique seul le poids du gland a permis d'établir une corrélation négative avec le rapport racine/pousse. La disponibilité en eau a été un facteur extrêmement limitant pour le développement des plants, si on compare les résultats des deux expérimentations. Au champ, la préparation du terrain a influencé d'une manière négative la survie (65 %) par rapport au témoin (90 %), au diamètre des plants et au rapport racine/pousse. En conclusion, compte tenue des faibles pluies tombées pendant la période d'étude et des résultats de faible survie obtenus par d'autres auteurs avec l'introduction de semis, même dans des régions de pluviométrie plus abondante, le semis direct de glands au champ doit être repensé en tant que technique viable pour la restauration des forêts de chêne, le reboisement des terres agricoles et la diversification à grande échelle des espèces forestières et à moindre coût.Quercus ilex subsp. ballota / gland / traitement du sol / terre agricole abandonnée

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“…Poor tree survival in oak plantations has been frequently linked to restricted access to soil nutrients and the poor quality of seedlings grown in forest nurseries (Retana et al 1999;Tsakaldimi et al 2005;Valdecantos et al 2006). Although root pruning is known to impact shoot growth under in vitro conditions (Harmer and Walder 1994), the effects of nursery management practices on root plasticity remain poorly understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional response of Quercus robur L. to taproot pruning: a 5-year case study

Mucha

Jagodziński

Bułaj

et al. 2018

Annals of Forest Science

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& Key message Quercus robur seedling mass was affected more by planting density than by taproot pruning. Root pruning enhanced stem biomass at the expense of roots in later growth stages. Alteration of biomass allocation due to nursery practices may result in greater susceptibility to injury and death of the seedlings under unfavorable environmental conditions. & Context Plants adjust their growth and modulate the resource allocation in response to applied treatments and environmental conditions. & Aims The aim was to examine how taproot pruning in seedlings grown at different densities affected long-term growth of Quercus robur. & Methods Seedlings, sown as acorns at two planting densities, with or without pruned roots were harvested in the second, fourth, and fifth years of growth. The effect of root pruning on biomass allocation was determined by measuring leaf, stem, and root mass fractions; carbohydrate concentrations in the roots; and C/N ratios. Specific leaf area and root length were also determined to assess morphological adaptations to growth conditions. Handling Editor: Andreas BolteContribution of co-authors Joanna Mucha: participated in the experiment, analyzed the data, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Andrzej M. Jagodziński: contributed substantially to revisions. Bartosz Bułaj: contributed substantially to revisions. Piotr Łakomy: contributed substantially to revisions. Adrian Marek Talaśka: contributed substantially to revisions. Jacek Oleksyn: contributed substantially to experimental design and revisions. Marcin Zadworny: acquired funds for the implementation of research, coordinated the research project, supervised the experiment, and contributed substantially to experimental design and revisions. & Results Total seedling mass was affected more by planting density than by taproot pruning. After 4 years of growth, root mass fractions were lower and stem mass fractions were greater in seedlings planted at a higher density. Five-year old root-pruned seedlings also had a lower root mass fraction and higher stem mass fractions than unpruned seedlings. Specific root length was not affected by root pruning or planting density. & Conclusion Decrease of relative root biomass with simultaneous increase of stem biomass may be a long-term consequence of taproot pruning of Q. robur, and the effects may manifest years after the seedling stage. Electronic supplementary material

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Nutrient status and field performance of tree seedlings planted in Mediterranean degraded areas

Cited by 65 publications

References 36 publications

Predation and aridity slow down the spread of 21-year-old planted woodland islets in restored Mediterranean farmland

Predation and aridity slow down the spread of 21-year-old planted woodland islets in restored Mediterranean farmland

Direct sowing of holm oak acorns: effects of acorn size and soil treatment

Functional response of Quercus robur L. to taproot pruning: a 5-year case study

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