GROWTH OF KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE SEEDLINGS IN PROTECTIVE SHELTERS DURING FIELD ESTABLISHMENT

Abstract

Growth and water relations of seedlings grown in protective tree shelters were investigated during establishment in a field nursery. Shelters, 1.2 m high, were placed over 0.5 m Kentucky coffee tree seedlings following spring transplanting in a field experiment. Predawn leaf water potential (ψ) and stomatal conductance (gs) were monitored periodically through the season and growth was measured in late summer. In a second experiment diurnal microclimate, and seedling water relations and use, in the shelters were studied under controlled conditions. In the shelters, leaf and air temperature, humidity, and gs exceeded non-sheltered levels while solar radiation was 70% lower. Despite greater gs, normalized water use was 40% lower in the sheltered trees. While midday gs was similarly high in the field-grown trees, no differences in predawn ψ were detected through the season. Sheltered trees in the field had four times more shoot growth but 40% less caliper growth. Sheltered trees had leaf thickness lower than control trees, and together with the growth and radiation pattern, indicated that they were shade acclimated. Shelters can improve height growth and reduce water loss during establishment, but may not allow sufficient trunk development or taper for upright support