engleski

IMPACT OF CONTAINER SIZE AND SOIL PREPARATION ON AFFORESTATION SUCCESS OF ONE YEAR OLD HOLM OAK (Quercus ilex L.) SEEDLINGS IN CROATIAN MEDITERRANEAN AREA

Abstract: Morphological features of one-year old holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings grown in different types of containers were analyzed to establish the effect of container type on seedlings development. Survival rates and development of seedlings were measured and monitored in the period of six years, on experimental plot with the aim to state the influence of container size and soil preparation on afforestation success in Mediterranean karst area. Four types of containers were used: MP53/12, MP33/18, T7/24 and T8/24. Morphological features of seedlings include: height, root collar diameter, biomass of the aboveground part and total biomass. Two morphological indexes were calculated from measured variables: S/R ratio and DQI. Morphological dimensions of root systems are, namely: total length, number of tips, surface area and volume. Seedlings were arranged over the area of the experimental plot according to the randomized block method. Within each block (0, 2 ha) two types of soil preparation prior to planting were performed: in pits with dimensions of 40 × 40 × 40 cm, and on the ripping ground. Each year during the experiment, seedlings were measured for height increment, and survival rates (e.g. mortality), with respect to container type and planting method. Almost all morphological features of seedlings, have significantly higher values in larger containers (T7/24 and T8/24) compared to smaller containers (MP53/12 and MP33/18). Survival rates over six years in forest culture are influenced mainly by container size in interaction with soil preparation method (exp (β) = 6, 5789 ; p < 0, 0001). Container size exhibit influence on height growth of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) during first six years (F = 10, 41919 ; p = 0, 048294). Without ripping and adequate containers for production of high-quality seedlings it is impossible to successfully afforest Mediterranean karst area.

Mediterranean karst area; container type; morphological features of seedlings; soil preparation; afforestation success; height growth

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