Dwarfing of Bareroot Western Larch Seedlings USDA Forest Service Nursery Coeur D'Alene, Idaho
Bareroot western larch seedlings at the USDA Forest Service Nursery in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho were smaller in rows close to irrigation structures which remained in the field during soil fumigation. Reduced seedling height was most pronounced during the second growing season and was related to higher soil populations and subsequent root infection by Pythium ultimum and P. debaryanum. Although Fusarium spp. were commonly detected within soil and on roots of seedlings, only levels of root infection by Pythium were significantly correlated with distance from irrigation lines. Seedling heights, but not density, were also significantly correlated with distance from irrigation lines. Removing irrigation structures prior to soil fumigation and providing adequate soil drainage should help reduce future impact of Pythium root diseases at the nursery.
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Author(s): USDA Forest Service