Skip to main content
Log in

Peat carrier increases inoculation success with Frankia on red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) in fumigated nursery beds

  • Article
  • Published:
New Forests Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Inoculation trials were set up in fumigated nursery beds for red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) bare-root seedling production. Frankia inoculum was applied either as nodule homogenate or as pure culture (strain ArI5). The plots were laid out in 4 blocks of 8 treatments consisting of: control, nodule suspension, and three levels each of cell suspension and cells applied with a peat carrier. Numbers, height, and percentage nodulation on the seedlings were determined at mid-season. Numbers, size, dry weights, and degree of nodulation were determined at lifting. The peat inoculum treatment produced larger seedlings than the other treatments, both at mid-season and at lifting. The other treatments had little effect on growth. Size differences paralleled differences in degree of nodulation. Differences in percentage of seedlings nodulated were most pronounced at midseason, indicating that inoculation confered primarily an early-season advantage.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acea, M. J. and Alexander, M. 1988. Growth and survival of bacteria introduced into carbon-amended soil. Soil Biol. Biochem. 20: 703–709.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, A. M. and Torrey, J. G. 1985. Seedling germination, seedling inoculation and establishment of Alnus spp. in containers in greenhouse trials. Plant and Soil 87: 161–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dommergues, Y. 1982. Ensuring effective symbiosis in nitrogen-fixing trees, pp. 395–411. In: Graham, P. H. and Harris, S. (Eds) Proceedings of the International Workshop on Biological Nitrogen Fixation Technology for Tropical Agriculture. CIAT Press, Cali Columbia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hilger, A. B., Tanaka, Y. and Myrold, D. D. 1991. Frankia inoculation increases yields of bare-root red alder in fumigated nursery soil. New Forest 5: 35–42 (this issue).

    Google Scholar 

  • Houwers, A. and Akkermans, A. D. L. 1981. Influence of inoculation on yeilds of Alnus glutinosa in the Netherlands. Plant and Soil 61: 189–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeill, J. D., Hollingsworth, M. K., Mason, W. L., Moffat, A. J., Sheppard, L. J. and Wheeler, C. T. 1989. Inoculation of Alnus rubra seedlings to improve seedling growth and forest performance. Research Information Note 144, Great Britain Forestry Commission Research Division.

  • Perinet, P., Brouillette, J. G., Fortin, J. A. and Lalonde, M. 1985. Large-scale inoculation of actinorhizal plants with Frankia. Plant and Soil 87: 175–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pregent, G. and C., Camire'. 1985. Biomass production on four abandoned agricultural soils in Quebec. Plant and Soil 87: 185–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Resch, H. 1979. Industrial uses and utilization potential for red alder, pp. 444–450. In: Gordon, J. C., Wheeler, C. T. and Perry, D. A. (Eds) Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in the Management of Temperate Forests. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis OR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stowers, M. D. and Smith, J. E. 1985. Inoculation and production of container-grown red alder seedlings. Plant and Soil 87: 153–160.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Martin, K.J., Tanaka, Y. & Myrold, D.D. Peat carrier increases inoculation success with Frankia on red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) in fumigated nursery beds. New Forest 5, 43–50 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00037550

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00037550

Key words

Navigation