Outdoor performance of forest seedlings pre-cultivated under artificial lights : effects of the light spectra used for pre-cultivation on the future establishment and development

Forest nurseries are essential for producing good quality seedlings, thus being a key element in the reforestation process. With increasing climate change awareness, nursery managers are looking for new tools that can help reduce the effects of their operations on the environment. The ZEPHYR project, funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), has the objective of finding new alternatives for nurseries by developing innovative zero-impact technologies for forest plant production. Due to their direct relationship to the energy consumption of the nurseries, one of the main elements addressed are the grow lights used for the pre-cultivation. New LED luminaires with a light spectrum tailored to the seedlings’ needs are being studied and compared against the traditional fluorescent lamps. Seedlings of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris were grown under five different light spectra (one fluorescent and 4 LED) during 5 weeks with a photoperiod of 16 hours at 100 μmol∙m-2∙s-1 and 60% humidity. In order to evaluate if these seedlings were able cope with real field stress conditions, a forest field trial was also designed. The terrain chosen was a typical planting site in mid-Sweden after clear-cutting. Two vegetation periods after the outplanting, the seedlings that were pre-cultivated under the LED lamps have performed at least as well as those that were grown under fluorescent lights. These results show that there is a good  potential for lightning substitution in forestry nurseries.

Does proximity to conspecific adults influence the establishment of ectomycorrhizal trees in rain forest?

Three ectomycorrhizal legume trees, Microberlinia bisulcata, Tetraberlinia bifoliolata and T. moreliana, form discrete groves in the southern part of Korup National Park, in southwest Cameroon and contribute c. 45–70% of stand basal area locally in a matrix of otherwise species-rich arbuscular mycorrhizal forest. A transplant experiment was performed to assess the importance of ectomycorrhizal infection associated with proximity to parents in seedling establishment of the grove-forming species. Nonectomycorrhizal seedlings of the three species were transplanted into plots of two forest types, one of high (HEM, within-grove) and one of very low (LEM, outside the grove) abundance of all three species as adult trees. For two species (T. moreliana and M. bisulcata) there was no difference in survival over 16 months, but for the third (T. bifoliolata) survival was best in HEM forest, and correlated with the basal area of adult trees of ectomycorrhizal species. Only one species (T. moreliana) increased in biomass over the experimental period; the others declined. There was no effect of forest type on overall growth of any species, but the survivors of two (T. moreliana and M. bisulcata) had heavier stems in the HEM forest. Differences in survival and growth of transplants between the three species were in accord with the ecology of the species as inferred from the frequency distributions of adult tree size in the forest. Seedlings became infected with ectomycorrhizas in both forest types; where there was a difference in extent of infection (T. moreliana) this was not related to survival or growth; and where there was a difference in survival (T. bifoliolata) this was not related to extent of infection. These results confirm that mycorrhizal inoculum associated with conspecific adults is neither a prerequisite nor a guarantee of seedling establishment, but indicates that in some circumstances there might be benefits of being close to parents. Further research is required to unravel the complexities of ectomycorrhizal community structure in this spatially and temporally heterogeneous forest, and to clarify the extent to which the various hosts share ectomycorrhizal partners.

Volume do recipiente, adubação e sua forma de mistura ao substrato no crescimento inicial de Peltophorum dubium (sprengel) taubert em viveiro

O ensaio comparou três volumes de recipientes, três tipos de adubação e duas formas de mistura do fertilizante ao substrato, no crescimento inicial de plântulas de Peltophorum dubium (Sprengel) Taubert (canafístula) em viveiro, num esquema fatorial 3 x 3 x 2. Foram utilizados tubetes de 100 e 180 cm³ preenchidos com substrato comercial e sacos plásticos de 10 x 15 cm cheios com mistura de solo e vermiculita em partes iguais, fertilizados com fertilizante de liberação lenta (FLL) nas dosagens de 1,75 e 3,5 kg m-3 e com formulação NPK a 1,0 kg m-3 de substrato. As formas de misturas adotadas foram aquelas com base por metro cúbico de substrato ou individualmente para cada recipiente. Na análise destrutiva realizada 12 semanas após a emergência, avaliaram-se o número de folhas, a altura da planta, o diâmetro do coleto e as massas secas da parte aérea, o sistema radicular e o total. Os resultados indicaram que a redução no volume do recipiente causou diminuição na massa seca, diâmetro e altura. O número de folhas, a massa seca da parte aérea e a massa seca total foram semelhantes nas plântulas sob fertilização com NPK, independentemente do volume do recipiente, o que não ocorreu naquelas sob FLL, onde esse parâmetro diminuiu com o volume do recipiente. O cálculo do índice de Dickson após 12 semanas indicou valores superiores em mudas com a forma de mistura convencional em relação à individual e maior naquelas sob fertilização com NPK, em comparação com as sob FLL.

Uso de biossólidos como substrato para produção de mudas de pinus e eucalipto

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Desenvolvimento e viabilidade econômica de mudas de espécies florestais nativas com o uso de fertirrigação em substratos a base de biossólido compostado

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Cornitermes cumulans Kollar, 1832 (Isoptera: termitidae ): preferência a diferentes substratos e avaliação de danos em plantas de Eucalipto

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Produção de mudas de espécies florestais de restinga, com base em estudos florísticos e fitossociológicos, visando a recuperação de áreas degradadas, em Ilha Comprida - SP

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Seedling fate across different habitats: the effects of herbivory and soil fertility

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Utilização de redes neurais artificiais aplicadas na discriminação de padrões de doenças florestais

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Viabilidade do recipiente biodegradável na produção de mudas florestais nativas

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Valorización de subproductos agrícolas y forestales como sustratos de cultivo en el estado de Oaxaca (México)

El presente trabajo aborda el aprovechamiento de algunos subproductos agrícolas (bagazo de maguey y fibra de coco) y forestales (corteza de pino) en el Estado de Oaxaca (Sur de México). El objetivo principal se centra en localizar, cuantificar y caracterizar estos con vistas a su aplicación como sustratos o componentes de sustratos en cultivos ornamentales, forestales y hortícolas, y a su uso como enmiendas en cultivos tipo. Así mismo se persigue reducir el uso de la turba y la tierra de monte como sustratos mayoritarios en la actualidad. Para la localización de los subproductos se utilizaron los datos de los registros parcelarios de los productores de coco para la obtención de copra (generadores de fibra de coco) de la región costa y de los productores de mezcal (generadores del residuo de bagazo de maguey) de la región valles centrales, así como las ubicaciones de los aserraderos forestales en el Estado de Oaxaca. Se emplea un Sistema de Información Geográfica (SIG) con una cartografía digitalizada de los elementos del medio (clima, geología y suelo), de los cultivos generadores (bagazo de maguey, fibra de coco y corteza de pino), de la agricultura protegida como receptora (tomate) y de la agricultura extensiva con cultivos receptores de enmienda (café, hule, limón, mango, palma de coco y maguey). La producción anual de los residuos se cartografía y cuantifica con los siguientes resultados: bagazo de maguey 624.000 t, fibra de coco 86.000 m3 y 72.000 t de corteza de pino. Mediante el estudio de las características de los suelos de los cultivos receptores y de los requerimientos de materia orgánica de cada cultivo se calcularon las necesidades totales de materia orgánica para cada suelo. Los resultados de las cantidades globales para cada cultivo en todo el Estado muestran una necesidad total de 3.112.000 t de materia orgánica como enmienda. Con los datos obtenidos y a través de un algoritmo matemático se realiza una propuesta de localización de dos plantas de compostaje (de bagazo de maguey y fibra de coco) y cuatro plantas de compostaje de corteza de pino. Con el fin de conocer los subproductos a valorizar como sustrato o componente de sustrato se caracteriza su composición física‐química, siguiendo Normas UNE‐EN, y se analizan mediante Resonancia Magnética Nuclear (RMN). Para el acondicionamiento de bagazo de maguey y la corteza de pino se realizaron ensayos de compostaje. Al final de 241 días la temperatura y la humedad de ambos procesos se encontraban en los rangos recomendados, indicando que los materiales estaban estabilizados y con calidad para ser utilizados como sustrato o componente de sustrato. Para la fibra de coco se realizó el proceso de molienda en seco de conchas de coco provenientes de la comunidad de Río Grande Oaxaca (Principal zona productora de copra en Oaxaca). Posteriormente se emplean los materiales obtenidos como componentes para sustratos de cultivo. Se estudia el compost de bagazo de maguey y siete mezclas; el compost de corteza de pino y ocho mezclas y la fibra de coco con tres mezclas. Estos sustratos alternativos permiten obtener mezclas y reducir el uso de la tierra de monte, turba, arcilla expandida y vermiculita, siendo por tanto una alternativa sostenible para la producción en invernadero. Se elaboraron mezclas especificas para el cultivo de Lilium hibrido asiático y oriental (siete mezclas), sustratos eco‐compatibles para cultivo de tomate (nueve mezclas), para la producción de planta forestal (siete mezclas) y para la producción de plántula hortícola (ocho mezclas). Como resultados más destacados del bagazo de maguey, corteza de pino y las mezclas obtenidas se resume lo siguiente: el bagazo de maguey, con volúmenes crecientes de turba (20, 30, 50 y 60 %) y la corteza de pino, con volúmenes de turba 40 y 60%, presentan valores muy recomendados de porosidad, capacidad de aireación, capacidad de retención de humedad y equilibrio agua‐aire. Para la fibra de coco, la procedente de Río Grande presenta mejor valoración que la muestra comercial de fibra de coco de Morelos. Por último se llevó a cabo la evaluación agronómica de los sustratos‐mezclas, realizando cinco experimentos por separado, estudiando el desarrollo vegetal de cultivos tipo, que se concretan en los siguientes ensayos: 1. Producción de Lilium asiático y oriental en cama para flor de corte; 2. Producción de Lilium oriental en contenedor para flor de corte; 3. Producción de plántula forestal (Pinus greggii E y Pinus oaxacana M); 4. Producción de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L) y 5. Producción de plántula de tomate en semillero (Solanum lycopersicum L). En relación a la producción de Lilium hibrido asiático en cama los sustratos corteza de pino (CPTU 80:20 v/v), corteza de pino + sustrato comercial (CPSC 80:20 v/v) y corteza de pino+turba+arcilla expandida+vermiculita (CPTAEV2 30:40:15:15 v/v) presentan los mejores resultados. Dichos sustratos también presentan adecuados resultados para Lilium hibrido oriental con excepción de la corteza de pino + turba (CPTU 80:20 v/v). En la producción de Lilium hibrido oriental en contenedor para flor de corte, además de los sustratos de CPSC y CPTAEV2, la mezcla de corteza de pino+turba+arcilla expandida+vermiculita (CPTAEV 70:20:5:5 v/v) manifestó una respuesta favorable. En el ensayo de producción de plántulas de Pinus greggii E y Pinus oaxacana Mirov, las mezclas con corteza de pino+turba+arcilla expandida+vermiculita (CPTAEV2 30:40:15:15 v/v) y bagazo de maguey turba+arcilla expandida+vermiculita (BMTAEV2 30:60:5:5 v/v) son una alternativa que permite disminuir el empleo de turba, arcilla expandida y vermiculita, en comparación con el sustrato testigo de turba+arcilla expandida+vermiculita (TAEV 60:30:10 v/v). En la producción de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L) frente a la utilización actual del serrín sin compostar (SSC), las mezclas alternativas de bagazo de maguey+turba (BMT 70:30 v/v), fibra de coco de Río Grande (FCRG 100v/v) y corteza de pino+turba (CPT 70:30 v/v), presentaron los mejores resultados en rendimientos. Así mismo, en la producción de plántulas de tomate las dos mezclas alternativas de bagazo de maguey+turba+ arcilla expandida+vermiculita (BMTAEV5 50:30:10:10 v/v) y (BMTAEV6 40:40:10:10 v/v) presentaron mejores resultados que los obtenidos en la mezcla comercial (Sunshine 3), mayoritariamente utilizada en México en la producción de plántula de tomate y hortícola. ABSTRACT This paper addresses the use of some agricultural products (maguey bagasse and coconut fiber) and forestry (pine bark) in the State of Oaxaca (southern Mexico). The principal purpose is to locate, quantify and characterize these with the idea of applying them as substrates or substrate components in ornamental crops, forestry, horticultural, and their use as crop amendments. On the other hand, the reduction of peat and forest soil as main substrates is pursued. For the location of the products, registry parcel data from copra producers (coconut fiber generators) of the coastal region and mescal producers (maguey bagasse residue generators) of the central valleys region, as well as the locations of forest mills in the State of Oaxaca. A Geographic Information System (GIS) with digital mapping of environmental factors (climate, geology and soil), crop generators of residues (maguey bagasse, coconut and pine bark) receptors of amendments such as protected agriculture (tomato) and extensive agriculture crops (coffee, rubber, lemon, mango, coconut and agave). The annual production of waste is mapped and quantified with the following results: 624,000t maguey bagasse, coconut fiber 72,000 m3 and 86,000 t of pine bark. Through the study of receiving crops soils properties of and organic matter requirements of each crop, total needs of organic matter for each soil were estimated. The results of the total quantities for each crop across the state show a total of 3,112,000 t of organic matter needed as amendment. Using that data and a mathematical algorithm, the location of two composting plants (agave bagasse and coconut fiber) and four composting plants pine bark was proposed. In order to know the by‐products that were going to be used as substrates or substrate components, their physical‐chemical composition was analyzed following UNE‐EN technics. Furthermore they were analyzed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). For conditioning of maguey bagasse and pine bark, composting essays were conducted. At the end of 241 days the temperature and humidity of both processes were at the recommended ranges, indicating that the materials were stabilized and had reached the quality to be used as a substrate or substrate component. Coconut shells from the community of Rio Grande Oaxaca (Main copra producing area in Oaxaca) were put through a process of dry milling. Subsequently, the obtained materials were used as components for growing media. We studied the maguey bagasse compost and seven mixtures; the pine bark compost and eight blends and coconut fiber with three mixtures. These alternative substrates allow obtaining mixtures and reduce the use of forest soil, peat, vermiculite and expanded clay, making it a sustainable alternative for greenhouse production. Specific mixtures were prepared for growing Lillium, Asian and eastern hybrids (seven blends), eco‐compatible substrates for tomato (nine mixtures), for producing forest plant (seven mixtures) and for the production of horticultural seedlings (eight mixtures). Results from maguey bagasse, pine bark and mixtures obtained are summarized as follows: the maguey bagasse, with increasing volumes of peat (20, 30, 50 and 60%) and pine bark mixed with 40 and 60% peat by volume, have very recommended values of porosity, aeration capacity, water retention capacity and water‐air balance. Coconut fiber from Rio Grande had better quality than commercial coconut fiber from Morelos. Finally the agronomic evaluation of substrates‐mixtures was carried out conducting five experiments separately: 1. Production of Asiatic and Eastern Lilium in bed for cut flower, 2. Production of oriental Lillium in container for cut flower, 3.Production of forest seedlings (Pinus greggii E and Pinus oaxacana M), 4. Production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) and 5. Tomato seedling production in seedbed (Solanum lycopersicum L). In relation to the production of hybrid Asian Lilium in bed, pine bark substrates (CPTU 80:20 v/v), pine bark + commercial substrate (CPSC 80:20 v/v) and pine bark + peat + expanded clay + vermiculite (CPTAEV2 30:40:15:15 v/v) showed the best results. Such substrates also have adequate results for Lilium Oriental hybrid except pine bark + peat (CPTU 80:20 v / v). In the production of Lilium oriental hybrid container for cut flower, besides the CPSC and CPTAEV2 substrates, the mixture of pine bark + peat + vermiculite expanded clay (CPTAEV 70:20:5:5 v / v) showed a favorable response. In the production of Pinus greggii E and Pinus oaxacana Mirov seedlings trial, mixtures with pine bark + peat + expanded clay + vermiculite (CPTAEV2 30:40:15:15 v/v) and maguey bagasse+ peat+ expanded clay + vermiculite (BMTAEV2 30:60:5:5 v / v) are an alternative which allows reducing the use of peat, vermiculite and expanded clay in comparison with the control substrate made of peat + expanded clay+ vermiculite (60:30 TAEV: 10 v/v). In the production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L), alternative mixes of maguey bagasse + peat (BMT 70:30 v/v), coconut fiber from Rio Grande (FCRG 100 v / v) and pine bark + peat (CPT 70:30 v / v) showed the best results in yields versus the current use of sawdust without compost (SSC). Likewise, in the production of tomato seedlings of the two alternative mixtures maguey bagasse + peat expanded clay + vermiculite (BMTAEV5 50:30:10:10 v/v) and (BMTAEV6 40:40:10:10 v/v) had better results than those obtained in the commercial mixture (Sunshine 3), mainly used in Mexico in tomato seedling production and horticulture.

Performance of established native seedlings in relation to invasive Lantana camara, rainfall and species' habitat preferences in a seasonally dry tropical forest

Native species' response to the presence of invasive species is context specific. This response cannot be studied in isolation from the prevailing environmental stresses in invaded habitats such as seasonal drought. We investigated the combined effects of an invasive shrub Lantana camara L. (lantana), seasonal rainfall and species' microsite preferences on the growth and survival of 1,105 naturally established seedlings of native trees and shrubs in a seasonally dry tropical forest. Individuals were followed from April 2008 to February 2010, and growth and survival measured in relation to lantana density, seasonality of rainfall and species characteristics in a 50-ha permanent forest plot located in Mudumalai, southern India. We used a mixed effects modelling approach to examine seedling growth and generalized linear models to examine seedling survival. The overall relative height growth rate of established seedlings was found to be very low irrespective of the presence or absence of dense lantana. 22-month growth rate of dry forest species was lower under dense lantana while moist forest species were not affected by the presence of lantana thickets. 4-month growth rates of all species increased with increasing inter-census rainfall. Community results may be influenced by responses of the most abundant species, Catunaregam spinosa, whose growth rates were always lower under dense lantana. Overall seedling survival was high, increased with increasing rainfall and was higher for species with dry forest preference than for species with moist forest preference. The high survival rates of naturally established seedlings combined with their basal sprouting ability in this forest could enable the persistence of woody species in the face of invasive species.

Quality management for vital forest tree seedlings : Final report, Project no: P33854-1

The work concerns development of a prototype molecular tests to identify vitality status of conifer seedlings. The work is done by NSure, Holland, Dalarna University and SUAS. In case for spruce, a successful validation experiment has been performed to validate the identified frost tolerance and vitality genes. Multiple indicators were identified that can be used to either reinforce the existing ColdnSure test, but also for development of a vitality test. The identified frost tolerance and vitality genes for pine still need to be validated. NSure together with Dalarna University aim to perform a validation next season. Multiple LN indicators were identified in spruce that can be used to determine the effectiveness of a LN treatment, but they are not yet validated. In spruce and pine hardly any scientific research is performed to study the effect of a LN treatment, particularly not at molecular level. Therefore NSure together with Dalarna Research Station want to apply for a project. Within this project, we would be able to develop the tests further.

Euterpe edulis Seedlings in the Understory of Two Forest Fragments

The palm Euterpe edulis is one of the most exploited due the intense illegal extraction, which is very harmful because this species dies right after the cutting process. This study aimed to assess the palms' development as an enrichment plant in a forest fragment belonging to a Preservation Area and the Biosphere Reserve of the Green Belt of Sao Paulo State, in Embu das Artes city. The seeds were obtained from the Instituto Florestal, which follows all the regulations for seeds, in order to get seedlings with a high genetic variation. The seedlings were planted in two successional stages: secondary forest with low trees (SFLT) and secondary forest with medium trees (SFMT). The seedlings survival and growth were periodically assessed and the results were compared by the variance analysis. Both areas presented high rates of survival, which were superior comparing to other similar studies with Euterpe edulis. Despite the successional difference between the areas, the development of the seedlings did not show significant difference on the analysis of variance regarding leaf number, height growth, stem diameter and survival, except for plant height at 60 days after planting, when seedlings planted in SFLT reached higher height (21.38 cm) than when planted in SFMT (19.31 cm).