Substrate influences the height of one- and two-year-old seedlings of silver fir and European beech growing in polystyrene containers

Abstract

The effectiveness of different peat-based substrates was compared for the propagation of two mountain tree species (silver fir and European beech). The experiment was set up in the spring of 2006, and seedlings were grown in polystyrene multipots for 2 years. Four types of substrate were applied: (1) a newly prepared 1:1 peat-sawdust mixture; (2) a peat-sawdust mixture which had already been used for five production periods; (3) a peat substrate produced in the ‘Nędza’ container nursery (Rudy Raciborskie Forest District), consisting of peat and perlite; (4) a peat substrate, as described for (3), with added mycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma crustuliniforme. After sowing, polystyrene multi-pots were placed in a transparent tent. During the autumns of 2006 and 2007, for both species and each substrate type, 25 seedlings were randomly selected for measurement of their above-ground height, root length, root collar diameter, above- and below-ground fresh weight. Growth of one-year old and two-year-old seedlings of both species differed depending on their substrate. The application of a mycorrhizal inoculum positively affected seedling establishment, since the best height growth and largest seedlings of both species were grown on substrate (4). The growth of one-year-old fir seedlings in the ‘old’ peat and sawdust mixture (2) was similar to those seedlings grown on the turf substrate (3). Root:shoot allocation differed among the substrates. In fir, root:shoot allocation was approximately equivalent at 1:0.9, whereas for beech it was 1:2 in one-year old seedlings and 1:1.5 in two-year old seedlings.

Innovative peat-free organic substrate and fertilizer affects nutrient allocation in different organs of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings

“…(2022) reported higher macronutrient allocation in root of European beech seedlings grown on differently compacted peat substrates in a container nursery, andRotowa et al (2023) reported the in uence of various substrates and fertilizers on the root systems of oak and beech. In addition,Banach et al (2013) experiment conducted on F. sylvatica and Abies alba seedlings in a sawdust-peat substrate, nding that well-aerated substrates are essential for good growth in beech seedlings, a rmed our results. Additionally,Freschet et al (2015) reported that nutrient allocation additionally relied on the quality of the medium on which they were grown.Although the allocation of C, N and P in the studied species recorded higher values than those reported by Aoyagi and Kitayama (2016) However, comparison of nutrient allocation in the studied organs agrees with the optimal values reported byWei et al 2013; Pająk et al 2022a&b;Marušić et al 2023.…”

Effects of nursery production methods on fungal community diversity within soil and roots of Abies alba Mill.

“…This suggests that the composition of fungal communities depends on the type of seedling production. A study by Banach et al 17 showed that the growth rates of 1- and 2-year-old containerised silver fir seedlings varied depending on the applied substrate. The application of mycorrhizal inoculum ( Hebeloma crustuliniforme has been found to have a positive effect on height growth in fir seedlings 17 , which may be explained by variation in the responses of roots to the changes in growth conditions experienced by containerised seedlings, in comparison to those faced by seedlings in open and canopied nurseries.…”

“…The quality of forest nursery seedlings is affected by many elements, including production technology, site, seeding time, sowing rate, fertilisation, type of irrigation, and lighting 16 , but soil quality is one of the most important factors affecting plant growth. The physico-chemical properties of soils modify the community structure of soil fungi and bacteria 17 , 18 . Furthermore, a growing body of evidence shows that there is a relationship between crop fertilisation and fungal community character, as well as indicating that the full range of their complexity may also result from aboveground resource accessibility 19 , 20 .…”

Growth of Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. Seedlings Grown in Hiko Containers in the First Year after Planting

“…This is due to the improved overcoming of post-planting stress, which is partly related to the higher tolerance of container seedlings to drought [5]. The quality of the planting material depends on a number of factors, including the type and characteristics of the soil or nursery substrate [6][7][8][9], soil compaction [10][11][12][13][14], irrigation [15][16][17][18], light [19], and fertilization [20][21][22].…”