Abstract
Using a fumigation sterilizer (Dazomet) for nematode control, this study determined the effect of soil sterilization on the quantity and quality of the growth of Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. and Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carrière seedlings in an open-field nursery at Jeongseon-gun, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea. Most soil nematodes disappeared after fumigant sterilization. The organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, and Mg2+ content of the soil increased significantly, but the electrical conductivity (EC) decreased. The quantity of pine and larch seedlings was highly correlated with the soil nematode density. The soil properties changed due to soil fumigation, which affected the growth of both species. Pine seedling growth was affected by the soil chemical properties, such as available phosphorus (AP), Ca2+, Mg2+, and EC, and the growth of larch seedlings was affected by the EC and nematode density. The quality of the pine seedlings improved, whereas that of larch did not. This was a result of the difference in their tolerance to soil salinity. The seedling quality index (SQI) of the two species was related to the EC, but the pine seedlings were more affected by the EC, indicating that the control of soil nematodes by fumigant treatment significantly increased the quantity of seedlings produced and partly improved their quality. Soil management using a fumigant treatment was more efficient for producing pine seedlings than larch. Our results can be used to improve agricultural and forestry economics.
Highlights
Worldwide, forest ecosystems are seriously disturbed by various factors, and forest management is required in many countries
Our results show that soil fumigation greatly reduced the soil nematode density
We conclude that soil fumigation with Dazomet affected various soil properties; it reduced the number of soil nematodes and changed the organic matter (OM), Cation exchange capacity (CEC), Mg2+, and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil
Summary
Forest ecosystems are seriously disturbed by various factors, and forest management is required in many countries. In Korea, forest management aims to control disturbances and afforestation, to offset the decline in forests. Nine million seedlings are produced annually in open-field nurseries in. Korea to afforest large areas [1]. Some factors ( soil pests) that disrupt the forest ecosystem affect seedling production in open-field nurseries. The survival rate of seedlings decreases as soil conditions change in an open-field nursery, and seedling growth is affected by such changes. The change in plant growth affects seedling quality. Assessments of seedling quality can be used to predict their field performance [2], and the success of forestation is influenced by seedling performance [3].
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