Abstract
The use of polyethylene covered greenhouse has proven to be an effective method to promote the growth of seedlings. Could this improvement of the rate of growth affect seedling quality and their field performance after planting? To test this hypothesis, experimental plantations were made with two species of oak (Quercus macrocarpa Michx. and Q. rubra L.). Survival and growth in height after planting were compared between seedlings produced in one season under polyethylene or in two years in open field conditions. For both species, survival percentages of the greenhouse-cultivated stock were superior to those of the field-cultivated seedlings. Analysis of the variation of the survival percentages during weeks and months following outplantings leads us to believe that the field-cultivated seedlings are probably subjected to a greater transplanting shock. The production of large seedlings, in only one season under greenhouse condition, promotes the development of a more superficial root system. Root damage at lifting is less important and the chance of successful establishment after planting are improved. Key words: Greenhouse, plantation, Quercus sp., seedling production, seedling quality, survival.
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