The growth of the beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand on former agricultural land and its comparison with the naturally regenerated beech stand under comparable conditions

The issue of afforestation of non-forest land (e.g. agricultural land use) is currently a significant trend in land management. Sustainable development and maintenance of its ecological stability are among the reasons. The paper compares the 30-year development of the beech stand originated from artificial regeneration on former agricultural land in the area where the Ipeľ River rises in central Slovakia. Two methods of tending were used on three long-term research plots (LTPs) established at the age of 20 years: negative crown thinning, free crown thinning and the third LTP was left to its spontaneous development. The results confirmed the positive impact of tending on the development of these stands. Compared to naturally regenerated stands under comparable site conditions, their higher quantitative production was found. Regarding the qualitative production expressed by the number of trees of selective quality, the worst results were obtained on the control plot. Based on these results, it is recommended to pay more attention to the planting stock quality used for afforestation.

The root-plant ratio changes in the first growing periods of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) plantations

The root-plant ratio is one of the important parameters for planting stock quality. We suppose that the ratio is one of the driving variables for the growth performance of new plantation in the forest. The study summarises data on the volume of major parts of 4 years old wild cherry trees. An allometric analysis of different parts of plants in relation to the growth performance of wild cherry trees was done. The results show a close positive relationship between the volume of the whole root system and aboveground biomass. The same is true of the fine root proportion in the root system. Data also document that the efficiency of root system is not decreasing during the root development - at least in the investigated period. The same results were obtained for fine root efficiency. Data confirm the importance of the root-plant ratio for the growth performance of new plantation in the forest provided that harmful factors are not at a limiting level.