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- Title
Effects of boron fertilization in the nursery or after planting on the performance of Norway spruce seedlings on boron-poor sites.
- Authors
Riikonen, Johanna; Lehto, Tarja; Rikala, Risto
- Abstract
Many forest soils in Finland are poor in boron (B), especially otherwise fertile (nitrogen-rich) soils and peatlands. Boron deficiency causes growth disorders affecting young Norway spruce ( Picea abies) stands. We studied the effects of B fertilization on the growth and morphology of Norway spruce seedlings. Boron was applied in a nursery and/or after planting in a nursery-field and on a reforestation site, both known to be low in B. The B applied in the nursery increased foliar B concentration in a linear relationship to the amount of B fertilizer but did not affect seedling growth and morphology. Even the highest foliar B concentration (approx. 400 mg kg) did not have harmful effects on the seedlings. Therefore, B fertilization in the nursery can be used for increasing B storage in needles. Boron fertilization at planting increased foliar B concentration in the first season. Afterward, the concentration decreased but remained above the deficiency limit for at least 4-5 years. In the B-poor nursery-field, nonfertilized seedlings began to produce multiple leaders in the second year. On the reforestation site, fewer multiple leaders were found. At the nursery-field site, height growth was stimulated by B fertilization at planting. In conclusion, 200-400 mg m (2-4 kg ha) of B applied at planting has longer-lasting effects on seedling B status than does B fertilization applied in the nursery, and can improve seedling quality and growth in the first years after planting on B-poor sites.
- Subjects
FINLAND; BORON deficiency; NORWAY spruce; SEEDLING quality; FOREST soils; GROWTH disorders; PLANTS; SEEDS
- Publication
New Forests, 2013, Vol 44, Issue 5, p671
- ISSN
0169-4286
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11056-013-9372-x