Irradiance in young stands of picea abies (L.) karst. and pinus sylvestris L. and the possibilities to prevent suckers of broad‐leaved trees

Abstract

Incoming shortwave global radiation (Q g) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; Q pa as a fraction of full daylight, relative irradiance (%Q), were measured at the same time in young stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Measurements were made on three levels above ground: 20 cm above ground and 50 and 15 % of stand height. Stands of three heights (75, 150 and 300 cm) were studied during two months. The stands were created by arranging young trees cut from natural stands, in nine quadratic spacings: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.4 and 2.0 m. The leaf area index (L) was estimated. Differences in %Q‐values for Q pa and Qg in the same species and at the same stand height and level of light measurements above ground were significant only in 150 and 300 cm stands. In 75 cm high stands of Scots pine, the %Q was <60% at spacings <0.2 m and in 75 cm high stands of Norway spruce, the %Q was <60% at spacings <0.3 m. Only at 0.1x0.1–0.3x0.3 m, %Q was <20% in Norway spruce stands. In 150 cm stands %Q<20% was measured at spacings <0.7 m in Norway spruce and <0.5 in Scots pine. In 300 cm stands of Norway spruce it was measured up to 1.2 and in Scots pine <1.1 m. Light extinction coefficients, K and Kg for spruce and pine stands were 0.17–0.40 and 0.16–0.31 respectively. Some practical implications of the study are presented. Lack of light (%Q<10%) as a single factor of seriously suppressed growth and development of broad‐leaved plants and suckers by competition in young stands of spruce and pine only occur in dense stands 0.3x0.3 m‐1.1xl.l m (8000–100000 stems/hectare). Competition by light on a regenerated area generally occurs in the level of 50% of tree height (150–300 cm) and higher due to the rapid growth of broad‐leaved trees (sprouts) compared with planted conifers but the light intensity at these levels %Q>10%.