Production Of Seedlings Research Articles

Effect of dormancy on the emergence of Tabernaemontana heterophylla seedlings in different substrates

The composition and dynamics of plant communities are determined by the survival, dispersal and persistence of seeds in the soil, some of the fundamental aspects for understanding plant biology, among which seed dormancy is of particular importance. The aim of this work was to find out whether seed dormancy is affected by certain substrates in order to improve the production of Tabernaemontana heterophylla seedlings. Treatments were carried out with different substrates (T1. Sand, T2. Vegetable clay, T3. Vegetable clay + sand (1:1 ratio), T4. Vermiculite, T5. Cattle manure, T6. Sawdust and T7. Organic compost) in 7 x 4 factorial schemes, the results of which were subjected to an analysis of variance and a comparison of means with the Tukey test at a probability of 5%. The seeds with visible germination structure (hypocotyl) showed an apical meristem in a dormant stage. The number of normal seedlings did not exceed 25% of the germinated seeds in all treatments, with a high proportion of non-viable seeds observed. In the absence of technical information on overcome dormancy, it is important to use strategies that stimulate germination and subsequent seedling growth. The slow germination combined with the presence of dormancy in the hypocotyledon were factors that negatively affected the propagation of the species studied.

Seeding the Pantanal: orchestrating research to overcome restoration barriers in the world's largest tropical wetland

Knowledge on seed ecology is foundational for effective seed‐based restoration including seedling production, direct seed sowing, topsoil transplant, and natural regeneration. Consequently, quantifying available knowledge and biases in seed‐based research allows practitioners to better plan and implement seed‐based restoration programs and identify research priorities. Using a systematic review comprising 45 papers, 401 species, and 2,415 case studies, we provide an overview of seed ecology research in the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland. We identified geographic, taxonomic, and ecological biases, as well as knowledge gaps in seed functions including production, dispersal, dormancy, germination, predation, and stress tolerance. Studies concentrated near large cities resulting in extensive unexplored sites in central Pantanal, in Paraguay, and in Bolivia. Unexpectedly, the most studied species were conducted with dry‐fruited, terrestrial forbs, or shrubs with autochoric or zoochoric dispersal syndromes. Seed banks, stress tolerance, and dispersal were the most studied topics, whereas studies on dormancy and seedling establishment remain rare. We also found disproportionate research interest across the angiosperm tree of life with many examples of underrepresented and overrepresented families. Altogether, persistent knowledge gaps in seed‐based research in the Pantanal hinder upscaling restoration programs and consequently the likelihood of achieving the targets of UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. We propose an integrated agenda consisting of a series of orchestrated actions to overcome such barriers, close biodiversity knowledge shortfalls, and promote successful large‐scale restoration programs in the Pantanal.

Evaluation Model of Rice Seedling Production Line Seeding Quality Based on Deep Learning

A critical precondition for realizing mechanized transplantation in rice cultivation is the implementation of seedling tray techniques. To augment the efficacy of seeding, a precise evaluation of the quality of rice seedling cultivation in these trays is imperative. This research centers on the analysis of rice seedling tray images, employing deep learning as the foundational technology. The aim is to construct a computational model capable of autonomously evaluating seeding quality within the ambit of intelligent seedling cultivation processes. This study proposes a virtual grid-based image segmentation preprocessing method. It involves dividing the complete image of a rice seedling tray into several grid images. These grid images are then classified and marked using an improved ResNet50 model that integrates the SE attention mechanism with the Adam optimizer. Finally, the objective of detecting missing seeding areas is achieved by reassembling the marked grid images. The experimental results demonstrate that the improved ResNet50 model, integrating the SE attention mechanism and employing an initial learning rate of 0.01 over 50 iterations, attains a test set accuracy of 95.82%. This accuracy surpasses that of the AlexNet, DenseNet, and VGG16 models by respective margins of 4.55%, 2.07%, and 2.62%. This study introduces an innovative model for the automatic assessment of rice seeding quality. This model is capable of rapidly evaluating the seeding quality during the seedling phase; precisely identifying the locations of missing seeds in individual seedling trays; and effectively calculating the missing seed rate for each tray. Such precision in assessment is instrumental for optimizing seedling processes

Breeding new seedless table grapevines for a more sustainable viticulture in Mediterranean climate.

The growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture is leading to a multiplication of breeding programs aimed at obtaining vines that are resistant to powdery mildew (PM) and downy mildew (DM), the two most damaging vine diseases. In Puglia, the most important Italian region for the production of table grapes, an extensive crossing program was launched in 2015 with 113 crosses, including elite table varieties, seedless varieties, and resistant varieties. The main seedling production parameters were measured for each cross. In particular, berries harvested as well as the number of seeds and seedlings obtained were considered. Approximately 103,119 seedlings were obtained and subjected to marker-assisted selection for seedlessness using the marker VvAGL11 and for resistance to PM and DM with appropriate markers. Approximately one third (32,638) of the progenies were selected as putative seedless and seventeen thousand five hundred-nine (17,509) were transferred to the field for phenotypic evaluation, including 527 seedless individuals putatively resistant, of which 208 confirmed to be resistant to DM, 22 resistant to PM, and 20 individuals that combined resistance and seedlessness traits. The work discusses the effects of parental combinations and other variables in obtaining surviving progeny and pyramiding genes in table grapes and provides useful information for selecting genotypes and increasing the efficiency of breeding programs for seedless disease-resistant grapes.

Coconut fiber and calcareous algae, an alternative substrate in the production of papaya seedlings?

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a widely cultivated and consumed fruit. When forming papaya seedlings, the combination of the ideal substrate to obtain quality seedlings is essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combination of substrates formulated with coconut fiber and doses of calcareous algae on the initial growth of papaya seedlings (Carica papaya L.). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, with five replications. The treatments consisted of the following substrate formulations: full coconut fiber + Gypsum; coconut fiber powder + NPK (15-10-10); coconut fiber powder + Gypsum; and doses of calcareous algae (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 mg dm−3) applied as cover. The plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, number of leaves, shoot dry mass, root length and dry mass, and relative chlorophyll content (Chlorophyll A and Chlorophyll B) at 40 days of application of calcareous algae were evaluated. Substrates formulated with coconut fiber powder plus gypsum associated with calcareous algae doses are a great alternative in the production of papaya seedlings, stimulating plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and root dry mass.

ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF INVESTMENTS IN THE GROWING OF MEDICINAL HERBS AND SPICES

Medicinal herbs are important for human nutrition and industrial processing. The main goal of research is assessment of economic effectiveness of investments in seedlings production and establishment of plantation under mentioned crops. Analysis involves data from the coal mine complex in Pljevlja (Montenegro), while implies dynamic methods such are Net Present Value, (Modified) Internal Rate of Return, and Payback Period. Although research results favored the seedlings production, determined crossover rate indicates some opposite conclusions. Inconsistency in conclusions according to Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return occurs only for certain range of discount rate. Research also implies sensitive analysis of crossover rate according to changes in volume of invested assets. So, management could make appropriate decisions towards the investments in medicinal plants production. Derived results suppose that investment in production of medicinal herbs seedlings is economically more effective for all discount rates above the crossover rate (6.08%).

Pinecone failure, hydrogel, fertilizer and volume of containers in the production of araucaria seedlings

The objective of this work was the evaluation of initial growth and quality of araucaria seedlings under the influence of alterations to different proprieties of the substrate. Four different experiments were installed, comparing volume of tubes, concentrations of controlled release fertilizer (FLC), proportion of crushed pinecone failures (substrate characteristics were also evaluated) and the effect of hydrogel concentrations in seedlings derived from different mother trees. The evaluations were carried out 10 months after sowing, varying according to the experiment, and were comprised of height, diameter, height/diameter ratio (h/d), survival rate and germination speed index. The seedlings developed inside the larger tubes (280 cm3) averaged higher in height, diameter and h/d ratio. The 6 g L-1 dose of fertilizer generated higher averages for all analyzed variables. The addition of pinecone failure to the substrate improved some physical attributes such as density, total porosity and aeration space, however it worsened the attributes related to water availability in the substrate. As for the growth of seedlings, the addition of pinecone failure did not change the height, diameter and h/d ratio. The use of hydrogel (3 g L-1 and 6 g L-1) generated better results for height. It is recommended the use of 180 cm³ tubes and 6 g L-1 of the contloed release fertilizer. Pinecone can be used in the substrate, as well as hydrogel as a additional resource.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATE DERIVED FROM COFFEE RESIDUE FOR SEEDLING PRODUCTION

The physical-chemical properties of substrates based on coffee residues for seedling production were analyzed. The production of seedlings is associated with the quality of the substrates used. The characterization of the physical-chemical properties is a fundamental part of components and their proportions in formulating substrate selection. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyze the physical-chemical properties of components and formulations based on agro-industrial residues. The quality of the use of three components, fresh coffee straw, carbonized coffee straw, and composted coffee straw, in 25 different formulations of substrates for seedling production were evaluated. The dry density, current humidity, total porosity, aeration space, easily available water, water retention capacity, electrical conductivity, and pH were evaluated. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with three replications, and the data obtained were analyzed by ANOVA and the Scott-Knott test (p<0.05). All substrates had statistical differences among themselves, for all variables studied. Coffee processing residue presented physical and limited electrical conductivity and pH characteristics. Formulated products have physical and chemical characteristics depending on their constituents and proportions. Three substrates stood out for presenting good chemical and physical characteristics, which were based on 30-40% carbonized or composted coffee straw. The results obtained here will work as an important tool to guide decision-making regarding the constituents and adequate proportions in formulating substrates for seedling production

Strategi Pengembangan Usaha Bibit Ikan Lele Ditinjau Dari Perspektif Ekonomi Islam (Studi Kasus Di Kabupaten Tanggamus)

In the business world, marketing is an integral part. However, in sharia marketing, the entire process must be in accordance with the contracts and principles of muamalah in Islam. The development of the catfish seedling business in Tanggamus Regency still has several challenges that need to be overcome. To overcome these challenges, an appropriate business development strategy is needed, one of which is by applying an Islamic economic perspective. The Islamic economic perspective can provide guidelines in the development of a more sustainable and fair catfish seed business. This study applies qualitative research methods to explore the phenomena and problems in the catfish seed farming business in Tanggamus Regency. The focus was on understanding the challenges faced by farmers and relevant catfish seedling business development strategies. Through in-depth interviews and field observations, researchers gained insights into the Islamic economic strategies applied in the production, marketing and distribution of catfish seedlings. The results show that catfish seedling farming in Tanggamus Regency, Lampung, follows Islamic principles in its development strategy. Based on the values of honesty, sincerity, professionalism, good relations, holy intentions, as well as the obligations of zakat, infaq, and sadaqah, the business process is in accordance with the principles of Islamic Economics, which emphasizes ethics in running a business. The strategies implemented, such as the application of Good Breeding Practices (GBP) to ensure the quality of fish seeds, fair pricing, and distribution that expands the market without oppressing others, are a form of implementation of Islamic values in business practices.

Botryosphaeria dothidea causes stem canker of Idesia polycarpa in China

AbstractIdesia polycarpa is a woody oil plant with great development and application prospects. However, stem canker disease of I. polycarpa was frequently observed in Henan and Hubei provinces of China in 2020–2022. The seriousness of the disease caused a large number of trees deaths, which affected seedling production and fruit yield, restricting the development of the I. polycarpa industry. We performed isolation, purification and pathogenicity analysis of canker samples. Pathogenicity tests reproduced typical canker disease symptoms on detached branches of I. polycarpa. Based on morphological observations, conidial morphology and phylogenetic analysis of isolates with high similarity to the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), EF‐1α and TUB2 sequences screened in GenBank by BLAST, the pathogen of canker disease on I. polycarpa was identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea. This is the first report of B. dothidea as the pathogen of stem canker of I. polycarpa.

Seed biometry, growth, and seedling development of Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. in substrates

The desert rose (Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult.) is a plant that has been widely used for garden ornamentation, holding significant importance in the landscaping and gardening market. Thus, establishing a way to perform biometric analysis and a seedling production system that offers significant utilization of water and available materials for substrate composition in each region is crucial for propagation and the quality of these plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate biometric aspects and investigate the influence of different substrates on the physiological potential of seeds and the initial growth of desert rose seedlings. This study was conducted at the Vitrine do Verde plant store located on Rodovia Dr. Ib Gatto Marinho Falcão, AL 101 south - Barra Nova, Marechal Deodoro – AL (9°43'31.2"S 35°49'46.6"W), with A. obesum seedlings produced from seeds. This study identified crucial points for seedling growth and development, providing information that allowed optimizing the production system with reduced costs. It was observed that among the substrates used, the use of treatment T3 composed of decomposed rice husk (55%) + carbonized rice husk (15%) + topsoil (15%) + peanut shell (15%) is preferable, as it proved to be efficient in the analyzed parameters. However, it is worth noting that further studies are necessary to increase knowledge and facilitate the cultivation of this highly appreciated crop.

Field identification of Huanglongbing (HLB) and its management alternatives

EObjective: The objective of this investigation is to identify huanglongbing (HLB) in the field and know their control altenatives. Design/methodology/approach: Was investigated the introduction of the phytopathogen Candidatus Liberibacter, symptoms and control of HLB. The generally observed symptoms of this disease are irregular yellowing in the leaves and reversed ripening on the fruit. Results: According to various authors, an integrated control of the disease must be carried out, such as pest control, production of seedlings in certified nurseries, a suitable nutrition management and working together with educational and research institutions. Limitations on study/implications: HLB or citrus greening is the most devastating disease of citrus trees which has caused millions of dollars in losses worldwide. However, although there are several research, there is still no established cure. Findings/conclusions: Research such as that carried out by geneticist Hailing Jin at the University of California Riverside can give hope for the cure or control of this disease, however, there are limitations to this product since it is not yet commercialized

Enhancing Plant Growth: Harnessing the Effectiveness of Artificial Light

This extensive analysis reveals the significant influence of artificial light, especially light-emitting diodes (LEDs), on enhancing plant growth for sustainable agriculture and horticulture optimization. The production of seedlings is an essential component of contemporary agriculture. While study is conducted on the complex relationships between plants and artificial light sources. Controlled light conditions in growth chambers and vertical farming systems are excellent solutions that enable year-round and space-efficient seedling production. It is possible to draw the conclusion that using artificial light can result in increased biomass, faster growth rates, and better crop quality. This review highlights the effects of various light spectra, intensities, and durations on critical physiological processes involved in seed germination, vegetative growth, and overall seedling development during propagation. Apart from that, the new study looks into the complexity of photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, and photoperiodic reactions, providing useful insights for customising light conditions for different crops and developmental stages.

Life cycle assessment of citrus tree nurseries in Uruguay: Are their environmental impacts relevant?

Perennial fruit production at the commercial scale, such as citrus fruits, begins with seedling production in a nursery. This stage lasts several months and involves different phases and the use of substrates and infrastructure. As the seedling does not produce fruit but does consume inputs, studying the environmental impacts associated with this stage becomes relevant, especially to understand its contribution to the total impact of the crop cycle. Despite the global relevance of fruit tree seedlings production, LCA studies in the literature focus on horticultural crop nurseries, and those on perennial tree nurseries do not consider both substrate and structures in the analysis, which is key for this type of crop since the main production system is soilless production in greenhouses. Thus, the main goal of this study is to quantify the environmental impacts related to the production of citrus fruit tree seedlings using LCA, analyse the main production system applied nowadays, and study its relevance with respect to the crop cycle. To this end, a certified Uruguayan citrus nursery was analysed, from which primary data was obtained. As well, methodological issues concerning water consumption and modelling emissions from input applications in soilless greenhouse systems are tackled. Results show that the main hotspots of the nursery stage are infrastructure production and peat transportation, which highlights the relevance of their inclusion when modelling the system. Extending the lifespan of the galvanised steel structures and decreasing substrate transport distances are shown to be effective measures to reduce environmental impacts. The contribution of the nursery stage to the citrus production cycle is negligible for almost all the impact categories assessed except cancer human toxicity, as it accounts for 0–3.6% of the impacts depending on the impact category. Great differences (from 10 to 400 times higher results on average) are observed when comparing the results with those from commercial databases, as they consider open-field nurseries where seedlings are grown in the soil. The need to develop harmonised methods to model water consumption and fertiliser and pesticide emissions for soilless crops in greenhouses arises. The present study presents a complete quantification of the environmental impacts of the main production system of citrus fruit tree seedlings and provides scientific and quantitative evidence of its contribution to the production cycle, helping decision-makers understand where efforts should be focused to achieve a more sustainable fruticulture.

Growth, Physiological, and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal Mongolian Oak Seedling Responses to Shading

Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) is a common building material and landscaping tree species in northern China, with significant economic and ecological value. Its seedling growth is inhibited by high light intensity, but the mechanism by which light stress affects the growth and development of its seedlings remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the phenotypes, physiological processes, and molecular responses of 3-year-old Mongolian oak seedlings under different light treatments: full light (Sck), light shading (S1; 40% light), moderate shading (S2; 20% light), and severe shading (S3; 3% light). Compared to Sck, the S1 and S2 treatments resulted in higher leaf area, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthesis rates, soluble sugar contents, and soluble protein contents in Mongolian oak seedlings. The S1 and S2 treatments also promoted seedling height and diameter growth and resulted in lower degrees of membrane lipid peroxidation, cell membrane permeability, and antioxidant enzyme activity. In contrast, severe shading (S3) significantly inhibited seedling height and diameter growth due to the lower net photosynthetic rate, and exhibiting higher degrees of membrane lipid peroxidation and cell membrane permeability. Shading treatments (S1 and S2) alleviated the negative effects of strong light on the growth and development of Mongolian oak seedlings, with the S2 treatment having the greatest effect. However, severe shading (S3) inhibited growth and development. A total of 3726 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in leaves under different shading treatments in RNA sequencing analysis. Among these, 1691, 3150, and 824 DEGs were detected in the Sck-S1, Sck-S2, and S1-S2 comparison groups, respectively. The different shading treatments determined common expression regulation pathways, including carotenoid biosynthesis, photosynthetic antenna proteins, and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction. Shading induced increases in gene expression levels in light harvesting complexes, which are related to changes in gene expression in the photosynthetic system, leading to changes in photosynthetic physiology. The expression levels of genes related to reactive oxygen species signal perception and activation enzymes were upregulated in Sck. Together, these findings revealed the response mechanisms of Mongolian oak seedlings to different shading levels at the physiological and molecular levels, providing a scientific basis and technical support for the cultivation and large-scale production of Mongolian oak seedlings.

Fruit encasing preserves the dispersal potential and viability of stranded Posidonia oceanica seeds

Posidonia oceanica meadows are the most productive coastal ecosystem in the Mediterranean. Posidonia oceanica seeds are enclosed in buoyant fleshy fruits that allow dispersal. Many fruits eventually strand on beaches, imposing a remarkable energy cost for the plant. This study aims to assess whether stranded seeds retain functional reproductive potential under a variety of environmental conditions. First, we measured the possibility that seeds could be returned to the sea, by tagging fruits and seeds. Second, we quantified the effect of air, sun and heat exposure on the viability and fitness of stranded fruits and naked seeds. The results showed that on average more than half of fruits and seeds are returned to the sea after stranding events and that fruits significantly protect from desiccation and loss of viability. Furthermore, in fruits exposed to the sun and in naked seeds, seedlings development was slower. This study indicates that a significant portion of stranded P. oceanica fruits have a second chance to recruit and develop into young seedlings, relieving the paradox of large energy investment in seed production and apparent low recruitment rate. Additionally, we provide practical indications for seed collection aimed at maximizing seedling production, useful in meadow restoration campaigns.

Morphological and Physiological Characteristics os African Mahogany (Khaya Senegalensis) Seedlings in Substrate with Poultry Manure

Purpose: Evaluate the morphophysiological characteristics of Khaya senegalensis seedlings, after being cultivated in substrates with poultry manure. Method/design/approach: The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse for 90 days. During this period, the seedlings were subjected to doses of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 grams of poultry manure. At the end, they were evaluated for net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, transpiration rate, vapor pressure deficit, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 concentration. Then, measurements of height, diameter and biomass were performed. Results and conclusion: The dose of 25 grams provided the best conditions when analysing the physiological characteristics, which resulted in greater growth and greater dry mass production of K. senegalensis seedlings. Research implications: These results show that, for the seedlings to grow in a substrate containing poultry manure, firstly, there are improvements in the physiological conditions of the plants, which are reflected in faster growth. Therefore, there is a need to study the type of manure and the dose that is applied, before recommending a type of substrate. Originality/value: Use of organic waste for seedlings production, which is an environmentally correct destination.

Bacteria Associated with Spores of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Improve the Effectiveness of Fungal Inocula for Red Raspberry Biotization

Intensive crop production leads to the disruption of the symbiosis between plants and their associated microorganisms, resulting in suboptimal plant productivity and lower yield quality. Therefore, it is necessary to improve existing methods and explore modern, environmentally friendly approaches to crop production. One of these methods is biotization, which involves the inoculation of plants with appropriately selected symbiotic microorganisms which play a beneficial role in plant adaptation to the environment. In this study, we tested the possibility of using a multi-microorganismal inoculum composed of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and AMF spore-associated bacteria for biotization of the red raspberry. Bacteria were isolated from the spores of AMF, and their plant growth-promoting properties were tested. AMF inocula were supplemented with selected bacterial strains to investigate their effect on the growth and vitality of the raspberry. The investigations were carried out in the laboratory and on a semi-industrial scale in a polytunnel where commercial production of seedlings is carried out. In the semi-industrial experiment, we tested the growth parameters of plants and physiological response of the plant to temporary water shortage. We isolated over fifty strains of bacteria associated with spores of AMF. Only part of them showed plant growth-promoting properties, and six of these (belonging to the Paenibacillus genus) were used for the inoculum. AMF inoculation and co-inoculation of AMF and bacteria isolated from AMF spores improved plant growth and vitality in both experimental setups. Plant dry weight was improved by 70%, and selected chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (the contribution of light to primary photochemistry and fraction of reaction centre chlorophyll per chlorophyll of the antennae) were increased. The inoculum improved carbon assimilation, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration after temporary water shortage. Raspberry biotization with AMF and bacteria associated with spores has potential applications in horticulture where ecological methods based on plant microorganism interaction are in demand.

Evaluation of field survival and growth to support the restoration of four valuable Miombo tree species

Understanding of right nursery practices is important for the production of high quality seedlings and successful restoration of trees with limited natural regeneration and/or on-farm tree planting. We evaluated the effects of nursery practices on field tree survival and growth in two trials in Morogoro, Tanzania: 1) shading regime, polythene tube size with four Miombo tree species i.e. Albizia harveyi, A. versicolor, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon and Pterocarpus angolensis; and 2) soil mixture and mycorrhizae/rhizobia inoculation with three Miombo tree species i.e. A. versicolor, D. condylocarpon and P. angolensis. There were no significant effects of the shading regime and polythene tube size on the survival, root collar diameter and height for all studied tree species. Almost all P. angolensis trees died after one year but the overall tree survival was good (>80 %) for the other tree species. Tree survival was always higher in nursery soil mixture S5 (0: 0: 1 sand: cow manure: soil) for D. condycarpon and at the early stages for P. angolensis. Mycorrhizae/rhizobia inoculation reduced tree survival of D. condylocarpon but not for other tree species. Interactions of soil mixture and mycorrhizae/rhizobia were only significant for D. condylocarpon and only with soil mixture S6 (1: 2: 3 sand: cow manure: soil). The advantages of medium and large polythene tubes on tree survival and growth in the field are dismissed in favour of small polythene tubes (10 x 10 cm). Nursery forest top soil alone is recommended for P. angolensis and D. condylocarpon. Albizia harveyi and A. versicolor can be grown in any of the soil mixtures tested. Testing the effect of nursery techniques on the field performance of these tree species in dry areas or poor soils, and for enrichment planting is recommended to enhance restoration of Miombo woodland.

Bornean tropical forests recovering from logging at risk of regeneration failure.

Active restoration through silvicultural treatments (enrichment planting, cutting climbers and liberation thinning) is considered an important intervention in logged forests. However, its ability to enhance regeneration is key for long-term recovery of logged forests, which remains poorly understood, particularly for the production and survival of seedlings in subsequent generations. To understand the long-term impacts of logging and restoration we tracked the diversity, survival and traits of seedlings that germinated immediately after a mast fruiting in North Borneo in unlogged and logged forests 30-35 years after logging. We monitored 5119 seedlings from germination for ~1.5 years across a mixed landscape of unlogged forests (ULs), naturally regenerating logged forests (NR) and actively restored logged forests via rehabilitative silvicultural treatments (AR), 15-27 years after restoration. We measured 14 leaf, root and biomass allocation traits on 399 seedlings from 15 species. Soon after fruiting, UL and AR forests had higher seedling densities than NR forest, but survival was the lowest in AR forests in the first 6 months. Community composition differed among forest types; AR and NR forests had lower species richness and lower evenness than UL forests by 5-6 months post-mast but did not differ between them. Differences in community composition altered community-weighted mean trait values across forest types, with higher root biomass allocation in NR relative to UL forest. Traits influenced mortality ~3 months post-mast, with more acquisitive traits and relative aboveground investment favoured in AR forests relative to UL forests. Our findings of reduced seedling survival and diversity suggest long time lags in post-logging recruitment, particularly for some taxa. Active restoration of logged forests recovers initial seedling production, but elevated mortality in AR forests lowers the efficacy of active restoration to enhance recruitment or diversity of seedling communities. This suggests current active restoration practices may fail to overcome barriers to regeneration in logged forests, which may drive long-term changes in future forest plant communities.