Direct seeding of black spruce in northwestern Ontario: Seedbed relationships

1994 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Fleming ◽  
D. S. Mossa
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
First Year ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Seedbed Preparation

A series of spot seeding experiments was set out on coarse-textured upland sites in northwestern Ontario to investigate how black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) seedling establishment and growth could be improved by site selection and seedbed preparation. Virtually all germination occurred within the first growing season. Annual seedling mortality rates were greatest during the first year, then declined steadily and stabilized at low levels (<10%) after the third year. The highest fifth-year establishment ratios (seedlings/viable seed sown) were found on seedbeds derived from materials near the mineral soil/humus interface. On wetter sites (i.e., higher Soil Moisture Regimes) the best seedbeds occurred closer to the soil surface. Mean fifth year establishment ratios for the best seedbeds were 0.032 on moderately fresh to fresh sites, 0.146 on very fresh to moderately moist sites, and 0.082 on moist to very moist sites. On adjacent lowland sites, slow-growing, compact Sphagnum mosses had a mean establishment ratio of 0.179. Mean fifth-year seedling heights on upland sites ranged from 12 to 14 cm, and were not strongly correlated with site or seedbed type. Key words: direct seeding, black spruce, seedbed, seedling establishment, site type and germination

Seed release from black spruce cones in logging slash

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L. Fleming ◽  
D.S. Mossa
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
First Year ◽  
Viable Seed ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Number Of Seeds ◽  
Empty Seeds ◽  
Filled Seeds ◽  
Regeneration Systems

Seed release from black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) BSP) cones on two clearcut sites in northwestern Ontario was evaluated over a 5-year period. Newly ripened cones were set out at seven locations on or above upland raw humus, upland mineral soil, and lowland raw humus substrates, and periodically sampled to determine the number of seeds remaining, and their germinability. Cones elevated above the substrates released 45–55% of their seeds within 1 year, and 65–75% of their seeds within 2 years. Seed release was largely confined to the growing season. Filled seeds were released more rapidly than empty seeds, and germination percent of the remaining filled seeds declined with time. Cones lying on or just above the substrates released about 25% of their seeds within 2 years, but the proportion of seeds remaining that were filled, and their germination percent, declined more rapidly with time than for elevated cones. Seed release occurred most rapidly from cones associated with upland raw humus substrates. Estimated viable seed release from cones elevated above the substrates was two to three times greater than that from cones lying on the substrates. Depending on cone location, 65–90% of all viable seed released was released within the first year after harvesting. This seed source should be considered when designing silvicultural regeneration systems for black spruce.

scholarly journals Effects of substrate availability and competing vegetation on natural regeneration of white spruce on logged boreal mixedwood sites

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola A. Kokkonen ◽  
S. Ellen Macdonald ◽  
Ian Curran ◽  
Simon M. Landhäusser ◽  
Victor J. Lieffers
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Solid Wood ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Competing Vegetation ◽  
Survival And Growth

Given a seed source, the quality of available substrates is a key factor in determining the success of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) natural regeneration. We examined the influence of substrate and competing vegetation on survival and growth of natural regeneration of white spruce up to 4 years following harvesting in deciduous-dominated upland boreal mixedwood sites. Feather moss, thick soil surface organic layers, litter, and solid wood were poor substrates for establishment. Early successional mosses establishing on mineral soil, thin organics, and rotten wood were generally favourable microsites but were not highly available on postharvest sites. Mineral soil substrates were not as suitable as expected, likely because on a postlogged site, they are associated with unfavourable environmental characteristics (e.g., low nutrient availability, exposure). There was some evidence that survival and growth of seedlings were improved by surrounding vegetation in the first years, but heavy competing vegetation had a negative impact on older seedlings. Burial by aspen litter greatly increased seedling mortality, especially when combined with a brief period of submergence due to heavy spring snowmelt. The results provide insight into conditions under which natural regeneration could be an option for establishing white spruce following harvesting of deciduous-dominated boreal mixedwood forests.

Microsite Soil Compaction Enhances Establishment of Direct-Seeded Jack Pine in Northwestern Ontario

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laird W. Van Damme ◽  
Lisa Buse ◽  
Steve Warrington
Keyword(s):  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Direct Seeded ◽  
Treatment Responses ◽  
Sowing Season

Abstract The effects of microsite soil compaction on direct seeding of jack pine and black spruce were tested in conjunction with Bracke scarification. The compaction effect was achieved by manually tamping the seed spot. It was anticipated that compaction might decrease the number of seeds required to establish seedlings and extend the sowing season in Northwestern Ontario Experimental results showed that compaction increased the number of scalps stocked with jack pine by 30% after the first growing season. Compaction with a pyramidal surface doubled the percent stocked scalps over conventional sowing for the latest sowing date. Compaction may allow an extension of the jack pine sowing season from late June into early July. Still, early spring sowing provided the best overall results for both species. Compaction effects were not detected for black spruce. The experimental sowing rate of five seeds per scalp may have been insufficient to detect black spruce treatment responses on the dry mineral soil seed spots. North. J. Appl. For. 9(3):107-112.

Relationships between microsite type and the growth and nutrition of young black spruce on post-disturbed lowland black spruce sites in eastern Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lavoie ◽  
David Paré ◽  
Yves Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Rooting Zone ◽  
Growth Substrates ◽  
Humic Materials ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Decaying Wood

The surface of the soil in recently harvested or burned lowland black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) sites is composed of a fine mosaic of different bryophytes (mostly Sphagnum spp. and feathermosses), disturbed organic material originating mostly from mosses at different stages of decay, and exposed mineral soil. Growth substrates were compared in lowland black spruce stands regenerating after either careful logging or wildfire. The 3-year annual increment for black spruce seedlings was greatest with substrates of feathermosses, mainly Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt., fibric material of P. schreberi origin, and a mixture of fibric P. schreberi and humic materials; it was least with fibric Sphagnum spp., mineral soil, and decaying wood substrates. The most favourable substrates for growth were characterized by better black spruce N and P foliar status. Our results also suggest that categories of growth substrates in the rooting zone reflect nutritional quality better than categories of growth substrates on the soil surface. To maintain or increase black spruce growth following careful logging of sites prone to paludification, we recommend fill-planting of seedlings in substrates originating from P. schreberi; management techniques that favour P. schreberi over Sphagnum mosses should also be developed.

scholarly journals Direct seeding of black spruce in northwestern Ontario: Temporal changes in seedbed coverage and receptivity

1995 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Fleming ◽  
D. S. Mossa
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Organic Debris ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Thunder Bay ◽  
Moisture Regimes ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

Temporal changes in black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) seedbed coverage and seedbed receptivity were investigated on coarse-textured upland sites near Thunder Bay (48°25′N 89° 15′W), in northwestern Ontario. Sowing was completed in May for three consecutive years following summer scarification at each of 12 sites. Infilling by organic debris reduced the proportion of receptive soil strata three to five years after scarification by 50–95%. Receptive seedbed coverage declined more quickly on fresh Soil Moisture Regimes with a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs than on moist Soil Moisture Regimes dominated by eracaceous shrubs. Pioneer mosses, which are also good seedbeds, invaded moist sites more readily than fresh sites, and mitigated losses in seedbed coverage. Compact Sphagnum seedbeds in lowland depressions maintained good areal coverage much longer than did receptive upland soil strata. Seedling establishment ratios varied greatly among seeding years, seedbeds and sites, but there was an underlying trend of decreasing seedbed receptivity with time since scarification. Seedlings originating from the first seeding year were taller at age 7–10 than those originating from the second or third seeding years. Key words: direct seeding, seedbed coverage, seedbed receptivity, scarification, black spruce, Picea mariana

scholarly journals Seeding of Creeping Bluegrass into Existing Golf Course Putting Greens

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 457-459
Author(s):  
Eric D. Miltner ◽  
Gwen K. Stahnke ◽  
Geoffrey J. Rinehart ◽  
Paul A. Backman
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Poa Annua ◽  
Golf Course ◽  
First Year ◽  
Putting Greens ◽  
Establishment Success ◽  
Annual Bluegrass ◽  
Establishment Potential ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Seedbed Preparation

The recent release of `True-Putt' (previously `DW-184') creeping bluegrass [Poa annua L. f. reptans (Hauskins) T. Koyama] gives turfgrass managers a new option for seeding into annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) greens. Because little is known about the culture and management of this newly available seeded cultivar, effective methods for seedling establishment into existing turfgrass canopies, both living and dead, were studied. Four surface cultivation treatments were compared for seedbed preparation before seeding into an existing turfgrass canopy. When seeding into dead turf, two passes with vertical mowing units were more effective than hollow-tine cultivation (HTC), solid-tine cultivation (STC), one pass with the vertical mower plus STC, and the uncultivated control during the first year. Differences were not significant during the second year, most likely because of shallower depth of the vertical mower. Plots averaged about 75% cover by 4 weeks after planting during both years, illustrating the rapid establishment potential for `True-Putt'. After seeding into a live turf canopy, seedlings were indistinguishable from the existing turf, making it impossible to evaluate establishment success.

Elongation habit of mesocotyls and coleoptiles in weedy rice with high emergence ability in direct-seeding on dry paddy fields

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nam-Jin Chung
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Paddy Soil ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Weedy Rice ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Sowing Depth ◽  
Rice Germplasm

Direct-seeding of rice on dry paddy soil could enable large-scale cultivation and cost-savings, but still has some problems including poor seedling establishment caused by low temperature and varied sowing depth. This research was performed to identify weedy rice genetic resources that may help to eliminate the problem of poor seedling establishment in direct-seeded rice on dry paddy soil in temperate regions. The genetic resources screened in this study were 128 genotypes consisting of 92 japonica weedy rices, 24 indica weedy rices, and 12 Korean bred cultivars. On average, weedy rice germplasm had superior abilities to emerge from greater depths than cultivated rices. Coleoptile and mesocotyl lengths were highly positively correlated with the emergence rate. Among the weedy rice germplasm, the japonica weedy rice WD-3 showed the highest level of emergence with the longest coleoptile and mesocotyl. The emergence ability of WD-3 was confirmed in both phytotron and field conditions. In the emerged plants in the field, the mesocotyl elongation increased with increasing burial depth in a logarithmic fashion, and coleoptile extension increased exponentially. The mesocotyl and coleoptile elongated to a length of seed burial depth, indicating that the mesocotyl and coleoptile of WD-3 could induce the safe development of the first leaf of the seedling at the soil surface. Therefore, the elongation habit of the mesocotyl and coleoptile of WD-3 could be one of the most important characteristics for the development of direct-seeding cultivars.

scholarly journals SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF WHITE SPRUCE WILDLINGS AND COASTAL NURSERY SEEDLINGS IN THE INTERIOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

1966 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Eis
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
First Year ◽  
Height Increment ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Nursery Stock ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Second Year

Survival and development of outplanted 2-0 and 2-1 white spruce nursery stock, transplanted 3-0 and 4-0 wildlings and 3-0 and 4-0 undisturbed wildlings are compared. Mortality was negligible in all groups. Planting check caused a 47% reduction in height increment during the first year and 15% during the second year after planting. The height increment was best related to the height growth during the previous year and total height of the planting stock. Insignificant differences were found between plants on undisturbed soil surface and those on exposed mineral soil.

Post-wildfire seedbeds and tree establishment in the southern mixedwood boreal forest

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1607-1615 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Charron ◽  
D F Greene
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
First Year ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Mixedwood Boreal Forest

We studied the post-wildfire establishment of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in the southern mixedwood boreal forest of Saskatchewan, Canada. The major objective of the study was to determine the influence of post-wildfire seedbed types on the juvenile survivorship of trees. Through a combination of permanent plots and sowing experiments, we demonstrated that mineral soil, thin Polytrichum Hedw. moss, and humus are much more favorable than the organic fermentation (Of) and litter seedbeds. We also show that differences among seedbeds are significantly more important than differences among species. In addition, the first year of a cohort has the highest rate of mortality, about 85% on mineral and humus seedbeds and 98% on Of seedbeds; differences in age-specific survivorship between seedbeds become muted by the end of the second year, and survivorship rates approach 1 by the end of the third summer. Finally, age structures showed that germination rates of black spruce and jack pine were very low the initial summer of the fire; that there was a peak in recruitment in the first post-fire summer; and that by the fourth year the recruitment declined to nearly zero.

Black spruce regeneration at the treeline ecotone: synergistic impacts of climate change and caribou activityThis article is a contribution to the series Tree recruitment, growth, and distribution at the circumpolar forest–tundra transition.

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geneviève Dufour Tremblay ◽  
Stéphane Boudreau
Keyword(s):  
Climate Warming ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Lichen Cover ◽  
Recent Climate

Tree regeneration at treeline is often inhibited by harsh climatic conditions and ecological constraints such as the presence of a continuous lichen cover. The objective of this study was to verify if recent climate warming and increased caribou (Rangifer tarandus L.) activity, which destroys the lichen cover, could act synergistically to increase black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) regeneration. We collected cones produced in 2006–2007 to compare seed viability with data from 1989 to 1995. We conducted experimental plantations (field and controlled conditions) to determine if germination and seedling emergence were higher in disturbed environments where mineral soil was exposed. We sampled naturally established seedlings to evaluate the relationship between the year of establishment and caribou activity and to compare growth in disturbed and undisturbed environments. We found that seed viability was significantly higher in 2006–2007 compared with 1989–1995. The number of germinated seeds per cone increased by a factor >1000. Germination and seedling establishment were higher in the disturbed environment (mineral soil). Finally, although seedling establishment in areas with continuous lichen cover was rather constant over the last 50 years, 73.5% of the seedlings recorded on bare mineral soil became established in the years following high caribou activity. Our results suggest that climate warming and caribou activity are likely to act synergistically to promote black spruce regeneration at treeline.

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