Is It Possible To Produce Forest Nursery Stock To Face Droughty Periods After Transplanting?

Résumé du livre

Nursery stock with higher tolerance to water stress conditions during the season following transplanting could increase field performance when subjected to seasonally conditions (i.e. Mediterranean climate). This could contribute to the success of forest restoration also in relation to the consequences of climate change. We specifically addressed: (a) the effects of two substrates and three fertilization rates on morphological (root and shoot system) and physiological traits (fluorescence and spectroscopy) after nursery cultivation in three Quercus species (18 combinations); (b) the morphological and physiological response of each nursery stock combination to hydric stress test in greenhouse and in the field after transplant. In 2017, Q. ilex, Q. pubescens, Q. robur seedlings were grown in peat and coir (a renewable, sustainable resource). In addition to the nursery-standard fertilization, two other fertilization treatments were tested (enriched in K and in P). In 2018, two parallel performance trials were carried out: a hydric-stress test in controlled conditions (comparing three regimes) and a field planting (central Italy). At the end of nursery cultivation, greater growth, both in shoot and root biomass, was observed in peat-K treatment in all species, followed by the other fertilization treatments within peat substrate. Seedlings in coir showed a general lower development despite a higher shoot/root ratio. Combinations responded differently to the hydric stress test, with generally higher survival and performance for seedlings grown in coir. Results were combined with data collected in the field providing useful information to identify the most promising stock of each species to overcome u2018transplant shocku2019.