Functional growth analysis of conifer seedling responses to competing vegetation

Abstract

A modification of functional growth analysis is proposed for investigating the responses of conifer seedlings to vegetative competition. The approach permits detailed comparisons of the absolute growth and relative growth rate with respect to competition level between crop species and between stock types. In this study, jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) demonstrated greater height and diameter growth than black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) across the range of competition. However, competition had a larger negative impact on relative growth rate for jack pine. The absolute growth and relative growth rate were greater for bare root stock than for container stock, indicating that the effects of initial size differences between the stock types remained four years after planting. In all cases, the negative effect on seedling growth of each unit of competition diminished as the competition intensity increased.A practical application of functional growth analysis is suggested to assist free-to-grow assessments in plantations. The underlying functions would be developed separately for each ecological site type encountered, and would use root collar diameter increment to assess seedling potential. With the functions entered into a programmable calculator, field crews could rapidly obtain the required competition measurements, apply the functions, and make tending decisions. Key words: Relative growth rate, competition threshold, vegetation management, free-to-grow, plantation, tending, weeding, black spruce, jack pine