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Optimizing nursery and plantation methods to grow Cedrela odorata seedlings in tropical dry agroecosystems

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Abstract

Cedrela odorata (Spanish cedar) is a valuable multi-purpose tree which Central American rural communities and farmers give priority to introducing in pastures and home gardens. In order to propose realistic methods for C. odorata production in local nurseries in the dry tropical region of Nicaragua, we studied: (a) the ability of locally collected C. odorata seeds to germinate, (b) seed response to storage under ambient conditions or under cold storage, (c) the effects of irradiance and watering during cultivation on seedling morphology and post-transplantation survival, and (d) the effects of competition from grasses on C. odorata seedlings transplanted to pastures. Seed germination ranged from 55 to 66% and remained constant after 6 months of storage under ambient conditions or cold storage. C. odorata seedling morphology was sensitive to irradiation and watering in the nursery growing period. Deep shade reduced seedling biomass and leafiness and increased specific leaf area and root-to-shoot ratio. Water shortage increased root mass ratio and root-to-shoot ratio and decreased leaf mass ratio. Post-transplantation success was favored by weeding, and was the highest for seedlings grown under deep shade and water restrictions.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Catalan Agency for Development and Cooperation (ACCD) and is part of the research project “Social multicriteria evaluation for the sustainable management and conservation of the Miraflor-Moropotente Protected Terrestrial Landscape”. We are particularly thankful to Mr. Andrés Rodriguez, who kindly offered his farm for the experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), Autonomous University of Barcelona, Edifici C. E-08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

    Pilar Andrés & Josep M. Espelta

  2. Multidisciplinary Regional Faculty (FAREM Estelí), National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-Managua), Barrio 14 de Abril, Estelí, Nicaragua

    Cloribel Salgado

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  1. Pilar Andrés
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  2. Cloribel Salgado
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  3. Josep M. Espelta
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Correspondence to Pilar Andrés.

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Andrés, P., Salgado, C. & Espelta, J.M. Optimizing nursery and plantation methods to grow Cedrela odorata seedlings in tropical dry agroecosystems. Agroforest Syst 83, 225–234 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-011-9404-5

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