Summary:
Published in New Forests 13: 209-223
Containerized black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) seedlings of three different sizes (small, medium, and large) were planted in raised sand beds maintained under wet, moderately dry or dry watering regimes during the growing season. The small seedlings were of a conventional stock type. The two larger sizes were novel stock types grown in larger containers. Physiological measurements during the summer showed that the small and medium seedlings maintained nearly similar levels of gas exchanges and water status, but that the large seedlings had reduced net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance under all watering regimes. Analysis of dry masses showed comparable relative growth rates in the small and medium seedlings, but a small to null growth in the large seedlings. Examination of root relative growth rate under wet conditions revealed significant root growth in small and medium seedlings, but negligible growth in the large seedIings. It was concluded that increasing the shoot sIze of containerized seedlings can be achieved without increasing the susceptibility of the seedlings to water stress, as long as the vigour of the root system is maintained.
Sector(s):
Forests
Catégorie(s):
Scientific Article
Theme(s):
Forestry Research, Forests, Seeds and Forest Seedlings Production
Departmental author(s):
Author(s):
LAMHAMEDI, Mohammed S., Pierre Y. BERNIER and Carole HÉBERT
Year of publication:
1997
Format:
Paper
How to get the publication:
ISSN:
0169-4286
Keyword(s):
conifer, Picea mariana, black spruce, relative growth rate, shoot:root ratio, water relations, water stress, nursery, East-Angus, Saint-Modeste, water potential, gas exchange, seeds and forest seedlings production, production de semences et de plants, production de plants, stress hydrique, relations hydriques, taux relatif de croissance, ratio tige:racinaires, épinette noire