Growth Of Forest Tree Species Research Articles

Effect of combined exposure of chemical fertilizer, bacterial inoculums, and compost on the growth of forest tree species in saline soil

Salinity is the leading abiotic stress, especially in India, where saline soil affects 6.727 million hectares. The study investigated the effects of different combinations of chemical fertilizers, bacterial inoculums, and compost on the growth of Prosopis cineraria and Toona ciliata in pot experiments using saline forest soil. Treatments included varying mixes of seeds, compost, bacterial inoculums, and chemical fertilizers. Soil analysis confirmed salinity with pH and electrical conductivity (EC) levels indicating saline conditions. Results showed that treatments incorporating compost and bacterial inoculums significantly enhanced plant growth, increasing shoot, and root lengths, as well as fresh and dry weights. The application of compost increased the root length of Toona ciliata. The dual application of Pseudomonas spp. and compost enhanced the biomass of the root, whereas the application of chemical fertilizer and compost improved the height of the plan. The study indicates that the combined application of compost, bacterial inoculum, and chemical fertilizer is superior in enhancing the growth and development of the vegetative growth of plants. Overall, the study underscores the potential of integrated nutrient management strategies involving compost, bacterial inoculums, and reduced chemical fertilizers to enhance productivity in saline and salt-affected soils.

The Response of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Populations to Climate in the Easternmost Sites of Its European Distribution

In the context of forecasted climate change scenarios, the growth of forest tree species at their distribution margin is crucial to adapt current forest management strategies. Analyses of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) growth have shown high plasticity, but easternmost beech populations have been rarely studied. To describe the response of the marginal beech population to the climate in the far east sites of its distribution, we first compiled new tree ring width chronologies. Then we analyzed climate-growth relationships for three marginal beech populations in the Republic of Moldova. We observed a relatively high growth rate in the marginal populations compared to core distribution sites. Our analyses further revealed a distinct and significant response of beech growth to all climatic variables, assessing for the first time the relationship between growth and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) which described how plant growth responds to drought. These results highlight that accumulated water deficit is an essential limiting factor of beech growth in this region. In conclusion, beech growth in the easternmost marginal population is drought-limited, and the sensitivity to VPD will need to be considered in future studies to update the forest management of other economic and ecologically important species.

Environmental Effects among Differently Located and Fertile Sites on Forest Basal-Area Increment in Temperate Zone

Environmental properties differently influence the growth of forest tree species. The antagonistic effects of variable environmental properties classify the forest response according to various tree compositions among different sites. The division of the forest response was assessed in 52 stands arranged into 26 types of 13 site management populations (MPs) in 5 areas in the Czech Republic territory. The assessment was performed using time-series multiple regressions of basal-area increment from pure immature stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), oaks (Quercus sp.), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and willows (Salix sp.) dependent on the interpolated average temperatures, annual precipitation, atmospheric concentrations of SO2, NOx and O3 and soil properties over the period 1971–2008 at p < 0.05. Site MPs differentiated the forest response to a greater extent than tree species. The response of the forests was significantly distributed by means of the montane, upland and waterlogged sites. The multiple determination index (r2) ≥ 0.6 indicated an adaptable tree increment but an interval of r2 between 0.80–0.92 implied forest sensitivity to variability in environmental properties on non-waterlogged sites. The index r2 < 0.6 suggested a fluctuating forest increment that reflects environmental variability inconsistently. The fluctuating increment most affected the spruce and pine stands grown from upland to submontane locations. Montane spruce stands, as well as rock pines, appeared to be one of the most sensitive ones to environmental change. Floodplain forests seemed as adaptable to variable environmental properties.

Efficacy of biochar application on seed germination and early growth of forest tree species in semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forest

ABSTRACT The effect of forest litter biochar on seed germination and early growth of two tree species (Trewia nudiflora and Lagerstroemia speciosa) was examined in a selected forest area of Nameri National Park, India. All tested biochar applications (from 1 t ha−1 to 6 t ha−1) significantly increased germination percentage, germination index, vigor index, and dry weight of 30 days old seedlings for both species, compared to the control (no biochar). The highest increases were obtained for both species and for all the above variables when biochar was added at the highest rate (6 t ha−1). Results of the seedling growth experiment, with the same biochar applications (from 1 t ha−1 to 6 t ha−1), show that 2 years after planting, all biochar doses had a significant depressing effect on the growth of the two species, except for the highest dose (6 t ha−1) which shows a low but significant increase in growth for both species.

Effect of agronomic treatments on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under nursery conditions of Warangal

Influence of different agronomic practices on root nodulation, AM colonization and growth of forest tree species was studied in two agroforestry tree species Acacia nilotica and Albizia lebbeck. Neem cake and Farmyard manure and sewage water were analyzed for their effect on A. nilotica and A.lebbeck. These treatments along with different AM fungi were also analyzed. Farmyard manure was found to be effective with Glomus fasiculatum in A. nilotica and Neem cake was given best results in A.l ebbeck with Glomus fasiculatum.

Manual Crowning Versus Cardboard in Forest Restoration: Costs and Effect on Seedling Development

ABSTRACT: Invasive grasses are one of the biggest obstacles to be overcome in restoration plantations. Thus, developing efficient and low-cost techniques to overcome this obstacle is a challenge for science and the ecological restoration practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of cardboard for the crowning operation on the growth of forest tree species from the Atlantic Forest biome and on the operating costs of this technique in a reforestation implemented in Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro state. The predominant vegetation of the area was of Andropogon bicornis L. An experiment was installed in randomized blocks, with two treatments and 12 replications. The treatments consisted of crowning with cardboard and crowning with hoe. The used cardboard (50 x 50 cm) were pre-treated with a preservative solution with CuSO4. Treatments were applied to 11 forest species from the Atlantic Forest biome: Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul, Citharexylum myrianthum Cham., Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong, Eugenia brasiliensis Lam, Eugenia uniflora Lam, Handroanthus chrysotrichus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos, Hymenaea courbaril L., Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd., Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel, Plathymenia reticulata Benth. e Triplaris americana L. Evaluations were carried out as for height, diameter at collar height (DCH) and survival rate, 6, 12 and 18 months after planting. The costs of each crowning method were also quantified. Overall, the height, DCH and growth rates did not differ between the crowning treatments for the species evaluated. However, the cardboard crowning treatment showed a higher survival rate (80%) of plants, compared with the hoe crowning (73%). The cost of the crowning with cardboard over a 12-month period was 40% lower than that of the crowning with hoe. These results show that the cardboard crowning technique can be a viable and a cost effective alternative to replace the crowning with hoe in reforestation areas with species from the Atlantic Forest biome.

Soil nutrients are not responsible for arrested succession in disturbed coastal dune forest

Coastal dune forest succession frequently proceeds via the Acacia karroo pathway, but may become arrested. We examine whether soil fertility arrests forest succession in A. karroo stands in coastal dune forest in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. We examined soil fertility of A. karroo stands, the adjacent forest, and forested dune slacks at Cape Vidal, and four rehabilitating A. karroo stands (13- to 28-yr-old) at Richards Bay. The effect of nitrogen supplementation on growth of three tree species (a forest pioneer, a late successional forest species, and A. karroo) was compared between A. karroo stands and adjacent dune forest at Cape Vidal. Soil fertility in A. karroo stands and the adjacent forest at Cape Vidal was similar and neither total nor readily mineralisable nitrogen were limiting in either habitat. At Richards Bay, where the dunes were previously strip-mined, total nitrogen accumulated rapidly (2.1–8.0 g N m−2 yr−1) and the oldest rehabilitating A. karroo stands (26–28 yr) had similar total nitrogen and other soil nutrient levels as stands twice their age at Cape Vidal. Seedling growth was unaffected by nitrogen supplementation. All species grew fastest in A. karroo stands demonstrating that soil nutrient levels in disturbed forest colonised by A. karroo are suitable for the growth of forest tree species. Soil fertility, including available nitrogen, is not limiting secondary succession at Cape Vidal, yet forest species are not replacing A. karroo stands at this site. Post-emergence factors, such as herbivory, are likely responsible for the arrested succession of forest in A. karroo stands.

Effect of seed mass on early seedling growth of five eastern white pine (Pinus strobusL.) families under contrasting light environments

The strong influence of seed mass on early seedling growth of forest tree species is well established, but the ecological role of intraspecific variation in seed mass on natural regeneration is poorly understood. Wide variation in initial spatial patterns of natural regeneration of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) between managed and undisturbed white pine forests of the Great Lakes region of North America has been attributed to differences in understory light levels and the frequency of substrates suitable for germination and seedling establishment. To explore the potential influence of seed mass on these observed patterns, the interaction of seed mass and light on early growth of white pine was investigated in a greenhouse study. Seedlings of five half-sib families differing in mean seed mass were grown for 8 and 14 weeks under moderate and low light conditions representing managed and undisturbed pine stands, respectively. Family differences in seedling biomass and root system development under each light environment were associated with positive, linear relationships with mean seed mass. Family and seed mass had a comparatively weak influence on biomass partitioning and relative growth rate. Moderate light improved seedling growth regardless of seed mass, but relative expression of seed mass effects on seedling traits was unaffected by light environment. These results suggest differential recruitment of white pine in managed and undisturbed stands is unrelated to variation in seed mass.Key words: biomass allocation, eastern white pine, greenhouse experiment, natural regeneration, relative growth rate, seed mass.

Effects of elevated [CO2] on photosynthesis in European forest species: a meta‐analysis of model parameters

ABSTRACTThe effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration on growth of forest tree species are difficult to predict because practical limitations restrict experiments to much shorter than the average life‐span of a tree. Long‐term, process‐based computer models must be used to extrapolate from shorter‐term experiments. A key problem is to ensure a strong flow of information between experiments and models. In this study, meta‐analysis techniques were used to summarize a suite of photosynthetic model parameters obtained from 15 field‐based elevated [CO2] experiments on European forest tree species. The parameters studied are commonly used in modelling photosynthesis, and include observed light‐saturated photosynthetic rates (Amax), the potential electron transport rate (Jmax), the maximum Rubisco activity (Vcmax) and leaf nitrogen concentration on mass (Nm) and area (Na) bases. Across all experiments, light‐saturated photosynthesis was strongly stimulated by growth in elevated [CO2]. However, significant down‐regulation of photosynthesis was also observed; when measured at the same CO2 concentration, photosynthesis was reduced by 10–20%. The underlying biochemistry of photosynthesis was affected, as shown by a down‐regulation of the parameters Jmax and Vcmax of the order of 10%. This reduction in Jmax and Vcmax was linked to the effects of elevated [CO2] on leaf nitrogen concentration. It was concluded that the current model is adequate to model photosynthesis in elevated [CO2]. Tables of model parameter values for different European forest species are given.

Ozone-Induced Changes in Primary Carbon Metabolism Enzymes of Loblolly Pine Needles

Summary Current ambient ozone concentrations in the southeastern U.S.A. have the potential to affect carbon fixation rates and growth of forest tree species. In this study, loblolly pine saplings were exposed to ozone fumigation in open-top chambers during four growing seasons in the Piedmont of North Carolina, U.S.A. to study biochemical responses in pathways of carbon fixation and metabolism. The trees exhibited a significant decrease in needle photosynthetic rates proportional to the cumulative ozone exposure, decreasing by 50 % after 350 ppm - h (12-h summation). This decrease was correlated with a parallel decline in Rubisco activity. In contrast, increases in the activities of several enzymes linked to the degradative pathways of sugars were observed. The largest increase was observed in the activity of glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase (65 % for 300 ppm - h). However, this marked increase and the slighter increases in phosphofructokinase and fumarase activities (about 25 %) showed a tendency to a further decline when the trees were exposed to higher cumulative ozone doses. Thus, current ambient ozone concentrations could lead progressively to biochemical disequilibrium within leaf cells with reduced production of assimilates and transient increased respiration.

The Direct Effect of Increased CO2on Gas Exchange and Growth of Forest Tree Species

CO2 enrichment of the atmosphere is now well documented and its effect on the growth of world forests is being questioned by the scientific community. The direct effects of increased CO2 on tree species are reviewed: the different experimental approaches are described, as well as the principal results already obtained. Short-term experiments have shown an increased photosynthetic rate, as predicted by leaf models. In longer experiments this increase is reduced after a few weeks or months by mechanisms that remain to be found. Elevated CO2 seems to decrease the dark respiration rate, but the results are still controversial. Biomass partitioning in elevated CO2 is clearly related to the mineral supply of the trees: An increase in root investment in elevated CO2 is related to a poor mineral status. The mineral content of trees grown in elevated CO2 is generally lowered compared to controls. No general rule has yet been found for the effect of increased CO2 on leaf area development. The paper emphasizes large areas of ignorance: the reasons for the different responses of different species, which may be related to their developmental strategies, are largely ignored. Much experimental effort is needed to parameterize all the physiological processes which are susceptible to change with an increase in atmospheric CO2, leading to a change in forest tree growth.