Root growth potential and outplanting performance of loblolly pine seedlings raised at two nurseries

Root growth potential CRGP) is the measure of seedling ability to grow new roots. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings from 5 seedlots were raised at two widely separated nurseries (Summerville, SC and New Kent, VA). In Experiment I, RGP was determined during the fall and winter of 1984-85 and 1985-86, and several morphological traits were measured. In Experiment II seedlings from the same seedlots were lifted during February 1985 and 1986 at both nurseries, and cold stored until subsequent outplanting; subsamples of outplanted seedlings were used for RGP determinations. Root growth potential varied significantly by family, nursery, and lift date, and first order interactions were significant. Generally, the RGP of Summerville raised seedlings was higher than that of New Kent raised seedlings. RGP was not strongly correlated with common measures of shoot morphology, but RGP was consistently well correlated with lateral root dry weight. In Experiment II, RGP varied significantly by family, nursery, and storage duration. The family x nursery effect was the only significant interaction. Summerville raised seedlings had higher RGP on each planting date. During each year RGP declined rapidly in storage. First year survival was significantly correlated with RGP (r = .52, p < .001). Height increment and RGP were also strongly correlated (r = .80, p < .001). These relationships and their implications for nursery management were discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forestry

Department dc:contributor.department

Forestry

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1987

Author dc:creator

• Barden, Charles J.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/91032

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/91032