Abstract
Growing Picea glauca seedlings poses many challenges for forest nursery managers, including reaching the target height at the end of the first growing season (1 + 0) and the homogeneity and uniformity of seedling growth. To increase growth and morphophysiological quality of white spruce seedlings (1 + 0), emphasis was placed on improving the physicochemistry of the acidic peat substrate by replacing silica with granular calcite as a covering material. The objective of our study is to compare the effects of silica and calcite on the physicochemistry of the peat substrate, as well as on growth and mineral nutrition of white spruce seedlings (1 + 0) under forest nursery conditions. Three treatments were used to cover the cavities of large white spruce seedlings produced in containers: silica (29 g/cavity; control treatment), calcite (24 g/cavity) and calcite + (31 g/cavity). At the end of the first growing season, the two calcite treatments significantly increased the total dry mass (28%), roots (27%) and shoot (29%) dry masses and height (24%) compared to silica treatments. Average calcium concentration and content of calcite treatments were significantly higher than that of silica treatment.
Highlights
In Quebec forest nurseries, white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) is one of the most demanding species in terms of water and mineral nutrients during the first and second growing seasons when producing containerized large seedlings [1,2,3,4]
Comparisons of the asymptotes of the logistic models clearly show that the calcite material significantly increased all growth variables of the white spruce seedlings (1 + 0) compared to those of the silica cover (Figure 8)
4 and 5) for the growth and mineral nutrition of boreal tree species produced in peaty substrates [16]
Summary
In Quebec forest nurseries, white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) is one of the most demanding species in terms of water and mineral nutrients during the first and second growing seasons when producing containerized large seedlings [1,2,3,4]. Our laboratory analyses have shown that this poor quality silica is characterized by a basic pH, whereas the normal pH of the silica should not exceed 5.5 [10,11] This has substantially decreased the seed germination rate, as well as shoot and root growth of different forest species [10,11]. The poor quality silica used in forest nurseries has probably been impregnated or treated with chemicals (basic detergents or basic anti-dust products) which interfere with germination, growth of roots and shoots and the mineral nutrition (purple coloring of needles) of tree seedlings [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
