Root Growth Potential Effects on First-Year Outplanting Performance of Inland Northwest Conifer Seedlings

Root growth potential (RGP) is used to evaluate seedling vitality from nurseries prior to outplanting. Because results from previous studies indicate mixed results, there is still interest in exploring if a correlation between RGP and outplanting performance exists. This study tested RGP for 44 western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) and 24 Interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco var. glauca [Beissn.] Franco) seedlots using mist chambers followed by outplanting at three sites in the Inland Northwest. Survival exceeded 95 percent for both species at all three sites and was not related to RGP. RGP was not correlated with aboveground growth for western larch but was positively correlated for Douglas-fir at one site. Weather during early summer was suitable for new root growth (warm temperatures and average precipitation) and most likely caused the high survival and growth during the first year. This paper was presented at the Joint Annual Meeting of the Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association and the Intermountain Container Seedling Growers Association (Coeur d’Alene, ID, October 25–26, 2018).

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Author(s): Andrew S. Nelson

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 62, Numbers 1, 2 (2019)

Event: Joint Annual Meeting of the Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association and the Intermountain Container Seedling Growers Association
2018 - Coeur d’Alene, ID

Volume: 62

Numbers: 1, 2