Growth and nitrogen retranslocation of nutrient loaded Picea mariana seedlings planted on boreal mixedwood sites

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1357-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Imo ◽  
Victor R Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Mobilization ◽  
N Accumulation ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Nursery Culture ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Seedling Biomass

Enhanced nutrient mobilization from old to current growth is a key mechanism that confers competitive ability to nutrient-loaded black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings planted on high-competition forest sites in northern Ontario. This study examines effects of nutrient loading and differing vegetation management (herbicide, fertilization, shading) on growth, partitioning, and net retranslocation of N between current and old shoots of newly planted black spruce seedlings on six contrasting boreal sites. Nutrient loading during nursery culture improved seedling growth and N uptake and retranslocation after transplanting. Herbicide application accelerated growth and N uptake only on the high-competition Alnus, hardwood, and mixedwood sites but had no effect on the less competitive feathermoss and Vaccinium sites. Weed removal on competitive sites reduced N retranslocation significantly. Field fertilization reduced N retranslocation in seedlings and promoting tree growth and N uptake on the less competitive feathermoss and Vaccinium sites. However, fertilization stimulated weeds on high-competition sites suppressing seedling biomass and N uptake. Factors that seem to affect net N retranslocation include the type and level of internal N reserves, biomass and N accumulation and partitioning, external N supply, and other stresses that limit plant growth such as competition.

Vector competition analysis of black spruce seedling responses to nutrient loading and vegetation control

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Imo ◽  
Victor R Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Competition Analysis ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Weed Growth ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Seedling Biomass ◽  
Site Field

Impacts of methods to overcome competing vegetation (fertilization, herbicide application, and shading) on conventional and nutrient-loaded black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings were examined on six forest site types in northeastern Ontario using vector competition analysis. Four sites (Alnus; hardwood; mixedwood, herb rich; and mixedwood, herb poor) were selected to represent high competition, and two sites (feathermoss and Vaccinium) to represent low-competition forest sites. Although similar in biomass before planting, loaded seedlings had greater N, P, and K content than nonloaded seedlings. After planting, loaded seedlings outperformed growth of nonloaded seedlings under all vegetation-control treatments on all sites. Herbicide application eliminated noncrop vegetation but resulted in significantly higher seedling biomass only on the high-competition Alnus site. Field fertilization stimulated weed growth resulting in seedling suppression on the high-competition sites, while nutrient loading countered weed competition on most sites. Interpretation of these results by vector competition analysis revealed that, without fertilization, competition for nutrients was the primary factor limiting seedling growth, while competition for light and (or) moisture was greater after fertilizer addition on weed-prone sites. Similar interpretation revealed no seedling-weed interactions in the less competitive sites.

Biomass partitioning and nitrogen retranslocation in black spruce seedlings on competitive mixedwood sites: a bioassay study

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Malik ◽  
V R Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Natural Vegetation ◽  
Nursery Culture ◽  
Nitrogen Retranslocation ◽  
Nutrient Retranslocation ◽  
Herbicide Effects ◽  
Nutrient Reserves

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings were exponentially nutrient loaded by applying 3 or 6 times more fertilizer than recommended for conventional seedling production in the nursery. Loaded seedlings were similar in height and biomass to nonloaded seedlings after nursery culture, but their tissue N, P, and K content was almost twice as much as that of nonloaded seedlings. The seedlings were transplanted on intact potted substrates (bioassays) retrieved with natural vegetation from two boreal mixedwood sites and grown for one season in a greenhouse to study early- and late-season growth and nutrient dynamics, and nutrient loading and herbicide effects on N retranslocation processes. After transplanting, height and biomass growth of loaded seedlings were, respectively, 9-14% and 24-49% more than nonloaded seedlings in herbicide-treated plots, and 14-32% and 42-85% more in untreated plots, resulting in 32-39% biomass reduction in natural vegetation. The effect of nutrient loading on growth was attributed to earlier and greater biomass and N partitioning to current needles and roots that promoted N uptake (up to 20.9 ± 1.7 mg) compared with nonloaded seedlings (up to 11.8 ± 1.2 mg). Although both loading and herbicide treatments stimulated seedling growth and N uptake, N retranslocation from older to actively growing tissues was promoted by loading but reduced by herbicide treatment. The results demonstrate the high dependence of seedlings on internal nutrient reserves when planted in competitive environments, and that nutrient retranslocation is mainly driven by current growth, nutrient uptake, and internal nutrient reserves.

scholarly journals Prediction Equations for Black Spruce Seed Production and Dispersal in Northern Ontario

1982 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Payandeh ◽  
V. F. Haavisto
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Nonlinear Regression ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Solution Of Equations ◽  
Number Of Seeds

Nonlinear regression equations were developed to describe seed production and dispersal in black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.]B.S.P.)in northern Ontario. Solution of the equations can provide useful information beyond the range of the original data, because of the flexibility of the models used. For example, solution of equations 1-3 indicates that cones from intermediate crown class trees initially have about twice as many seeds as those of either the dominant or codominant trees, but disperse their seeds at a much faster rate. Average number of seeds per cone for all three crown classes is about 7 after 10 years. Older cones of the intermediate crown class trees have fewest seeds per cone. Solution of equation 4 indicates that average seed viability is about 53% and decreases only slightly during the first three years. It then decreases very rapidly up to 12 years to about 5%. Similarly, equations 6 and 7 may be solved to determine an optimum strip-cut width for sufficient seedfall across the strip to produce satisfactory regeneration.

scholarly journals Shelter Spot Seeding Trials with Jack Pine, Black Spruce and White Spruce in Northern Ontario

1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 446-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. W. J. Dominy ◽  
J. E. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Medium Sand ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Bare Spot ◽  
Height Data

Seeding trials were established on four different sites in northern Ontario (46°41′N to 49°19′N) in 1979 and 1980. Jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) was seeded on two medium sand sites, black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) on a sandy clay site, and white spruce (P. glauca [Moench] Voss) on a clay site. Conventional bare spot seeding was compared with spot seeding under Finnish-designed plastic shelters. At least two seeding dates were compared in each trial. Third- and fifth-year stocking and fifth-year height data are presented.Stocking of all three species was increased, regardless of sowing date, when shelters were used. With the exception of June-sown black spruce and one June sowing of jack pine, height growth was not significantly improved through the use of seed shelters. Shelters may prove to be a viable regeneration option only on cooler, exposed sites with little vegetative competition. Key words: Shelter spot seeding, bare spot seeding, Pinus banksiana Lamb., Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P., P. glauca [Moench] Voss.

Optimizing nitrogen loading of Picea mariana seedlings during nursery culture

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1287-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
K F Salifu ◽  
V R Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Loading ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
N Content ◽  
Nursery Culture ◽  
Linear Relationships

Plant growth and nutrient uptake response to increased fertilization can be conceptually described by cur vi linear relationships depicting phases of nutrient deficiency, sufficiency, luxury consumption, and toxicity to rationalize fertilizer prescriptions and improve nutrient diagnosis. We validated this model to determine optimum nitrogen storage of young black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP). Container seedlings were supplied with a mixed nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (N–P–K) fertilizer at rates ranging from 0 to 80 mg N/seedling and reared in a greenhouse for one growing season. Plant growth and nutritional parameters of the plants exhibited classic responses of N deficiency, luxury consumption, and toxicity that were corroborated by vector diagnosis and appeared consistent with the conceptual model. Seedling biomass production was maximized at sufficiency (30 mg N/seedling), whereas N content of tissues peaked at the optimum loading rate (64 mg N/seedling). Toxicity occurred at the 80 mg N/seedling dose rate that increased plant N concentration (5%) but reduced growth (17%) and N content (14%) relative to the optimum level. Plant N content was raised 150% by optimum loading, exemplifying the effectiveness of this practice for building internal N reserves prior to planting. The newly validated model will help refine fertilizer recommendations and nutrient diagnosis for other species or cultural systems.

Mechanisms of interaction between Kalmia angustifolia cover and Picea mariana seedlings

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 2022-2031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Wallstedt ◽  
Andrew Coughlan ◽  
Alison D Munson ◽  
Marie-Charlotte Nilsson ◽  
Hank A Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Belowground Competition ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Kalmia Angustifolia ◽  
Seedling Biomass ◽  
Soluble Phenols ◽  
Different Levels

Sites dominated by Kalmia angustifolia L. are often associated with slow decomposition of organic matter, decreased nitrogen (N) mineralization rates, and low black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) productivity. The objective of this study was to separate the effects of belowground competition by Kalmia from the effects of water-soluble soil phenols on black spruce seedlings growing under different levels of Kalmia cover. A factorial greenhouse bioassay was established in which black spruce seedlings were grown for 6 months in intact blocks of soil with three different levels of Kalmia cover. The soil was treated with charcoal to reduce the amounts of water-soluble phenols, and (or) tubes were inserted to exclude Kalmia roots. At low Kalmia cover, reducing the level of belowground competition increased seedling biomass by 134%. However, reducing belowground competition did not increase seedling biomass at the two higher levels of Kalmia cover. It is possible that seedling biomass remained low because of an increased immobilization of N in the organic layer. Furthermore, the proportion of ectomycorrhiza morphotypes differed among seedlings growing under different levels of Kalmia cover. The effect of water-soluble phenols on seedling growth remains uncertain, since we observed a confounding effect of the charcoal treatment on soil microbial biomass and seedling response.

The effect of carbon and nutrient loading during nursery culture on the growth of black spruce seedlings: a six-year field study

New Forests ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle A. Way ◽  
Seth D. Seegobin ◽  
Rowan F. Sage
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Nursery Culture

Exponential fertilization increases nutrient uptake and ectomycorrhizal development of black spruce seedlings

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 674-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M Quoreshi ◽  
V R Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Seedling Biomass ◽  
Nursery Stock ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Greenhouse Culture ◽  
Addition Rate ◽  
Exponential Fertilization ◽  
Mycorrhizal Development

Intensive fertilization may inhibit adequate mycorrhizal development for forest nursery stock production. Containerized black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings exposed to four fertilization regimes (one conventional and three exponential at 12.5, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg N/seedling, respectively) and two ectomycorrhizal inoculations (Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Bull. ex St-Amans) Quel. and Laccaria bicolor (R. Mre.) Orton) were grown from seed to assess mycorrhizal formation and nutrition of young trees under intensive greenhouse culture. Exponentially increasing fertilizer additions stimulated ectomycorrhizal development (49-85%) compared with conventional constant-rate fertilization (22-26%). Exponential fertilization also increased seedling N (13-34%) and P (5-18%) uptake, although dry matter production was reduced (17-25%) at the lowest exponential addition rate. Ectomycorrhizal inoculation did not affect seedling biomass but increased uptake of N (6-17%), P (5-20%), and K (4-18%), demonstrating a potential for nutrient loading by fungi. Higher ectomycorrhizal formation found under exponential fertilization regimes was attributed to lower initial nutrient levels maintained in the growing media. Results indicate that high exponential fertilization combined with fungal inoculation may be effective for producing both nutrient-loaded and ectomycorrhizally infected planting stock.

Site-specific growth and nutrition of planted Piceamariana in the Ontario Clay Belt. IV. Nitrogen loading response

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1058-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. R. Timmer ◽  
A. D. Munson
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Nitrogen Loading ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Efficient Alternative ◽  
Outplanting Performance ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
N Loading

Black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) containerized seedlings were raised at high fertilizer regimes, i.e., "nutrient loaded," during greenhouse culture to assess whether increased preplant nutrient reserves improved site-specific outplanting performance. Growing media electrical conductivity levels during the greenhouse phase ranged between 0.9–1.2 and 0.3–0.6 dS/m for loaded and nonloaded seedlings, respectively. Although similar in total biomass and P and K content at rotation end, the loaded seedlings contained 78% more N than the nonloaded seedlings, demonstrating induced luxury consumption of N from loading. After overwintering, the seedlings were planted on intact potted surface soils from three ecological site types (upland Feathermoss, lowland Alnus, and lowland Ledum) of contrasting fertility. In the first growing season, N loading significantly increased height growth and dry matter production on all substrates; relative response was higher on the more N-deficient lowland sites. Plant nutrients were markedly diluted after establishment, except for N of nonloaded seedlings. The loading response was closely associated with the buildup of preplant N, which served as a critical nutrient source for internal retranslocation to new growth. Loading stimulated not only N uptake after outplanting, but also uptake of other nutrients presumably because of the expanded root system with this treatment. Balanced nutrient loading offers a cost-efficient alternative to field fertilization by promoting outplanting performance of container stock, and by avoiding competition response and operational constraints often associated with on-site fertilization.

scholarly journals A Height Growth Model and Associated Growth Intercept Models for Estimating Site Index in Black Spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P.) Plantations in Northern Ontario, Canada

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-137
Author(s):  
Martin M. Kwiaton ◽  
Jian R. Wang ◽  
Douglas E.B. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Growth Intercept

Abstract Site quality is a key component of growth and yield models because height growth rates are known to be influenced by available site resources. Accurate prediction of future growth and yield requires site quality information for both plantations and natural stands. The forest industry in northern Ontario relies on high-quality wood and fiber from black spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P.); therefore, these tools are essential to ensure sustainable forest management. Although there are site index (SI) models for natural-origin black spruce stands in northern Ontario, models for estimating site quality of young black spruce plantations have not been developed. We used stem analysis data collected from 62 plantations (>40 years of age) of pure black spruce across northern Ontario to develop height growth, SI, and variable growth intercept models. The distinct height growth patterns we observed may be attributed to early silvicultural treatments (site preparation and herbicide) in plantations allowing black spruce trees to attain breast height (1.3 m) faster than in fire-origin stands in northern Ontario. Our models can be used to estimate site quality of black spruce plantations, a key consideration for silviculture and forest management planning. We also compare our managed stand SI model to one we developed from a comparable subset of data from black spruce growing in unmanaged stands and propose a method to assign an SI with a common base age to pure upland black spruce stands regardless of origin.

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