The effects of planting practices and growing environment on the early performance of boreal tree seedlings
Pikkarainen L. (2022). The effects of planting practices and growing environment on the early performance of boreal tree seedlings. https://doi.org/10.14214/df.327
Abstract
In Finland, there is a desire to extend the planting season from spring and early summer to autumn, and to use the closed cardboard box storage method for both dormant and non-dormant seedlings. This thesis examined the effects of planting practices and the growing environment on the early performance of boreal container seedlings, and specifically: i) What are safe durations for the field storage of non-dormant Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings in closed cardboard boxes and open tray storage for different planting seasons (I); ii) How planting success differs in one-year-old spring, summer, and autumn plantings of Norway spruce and Scots pine in practical forestry (II); iii) How the planting depth and/or planting season affect the early field performance of small-sized silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and Scots pine container seedlings (III) and iv) How warmer growing conditions affect the growth and emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds in boreal seedlings in a controlled field experiment (IV). Non-dormant conifer seedlings can be stored in closed boxes for three days in August and a week in May, September, and October, whereas for open-stored seedlings the duration is a couple of days longer (I). Norway spruce plantings can be successful from spring to autumn if seedling storage, duration, and planting instructions are followed carefully. In Scots pine, it is still recommended to plant seedlings only in spring and early summer due to the higher failure risk (II). Deeper planting (60-80 % of shoot underground) may also enhance the early field performance of small-sized seedlings (III). Silver birch might benefit more from climate warming compared to conifer seedlings (IV). To ensure forest regeneration success with boreal tree species, recommendations for seedling materials, storage, and planting practices in different planting seasons should be carefully followed.
Keywords
boreal forest;
climate change;
field performance;
container seedling;
planting depth;
planting season
Published 5 May 2022
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Available at https://doi.org/10.14214/df.327 | Download PDF
Original articles
Luoranen J, Pikkarainen L, Poteri M, Peltola H, Riikonen J. (2019) Duration Limits on Field Storage in Closed Cardboard Boxes before Planting of Norway Spruce and Scots Pine Container Seedlings in Different Planting Seasons. Forests 10(12), article id 1126.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f10121126
Pikkarainen L, Luoranen J, Kilpeläinen A, Oijala T, Peltola H. (2020) Comparison of planting success in one-year-old spring, summer, and autumn plantings of Norway spruce and Scots pine under boreal conditions. Silva Fennica 54(1), article id 10243.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10243
Pikkarainen L, Luoranen J, Peltola H. (2021) Early Field Performance of Small-Sized Silver Birch and Scots Pine Container Seedlings at Different Planting Depths. Forests 12(5), article id 519.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f12050519
Pikkarainen L, Nissinen K, Prasad Ghimire R, Kivimäenpää M, Ikonen V-P, Kilpeläinen A, Virjamo V, Yu H, Kirsikka-Aho S, Salminen T, Hirvonen J, Vahimaa T, Luoranen J, Peltola H. (2022). Responses in growth and emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds in Scots pine, Norway spruce, and silver birch seedlings to different warming treatments in a controlled field experiment. The Science of the Total Environment 821, article id 153277.