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Nutrient loading of forest tree seedlings to promote stress resistance and field performance: a Mediterranean perspective

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Abstract

The planting environment of Mediterranean areas is highly challenging as summer drought and winter frost jeopardize survival, and soil infertility limits establishment success. We review the potential for seedling nutrient loading to alleviate these post-planting stresses. A growing body of evidence indicates that nitrogen (N) rich seedlings have improved field performance in Mediterranean environments, due to their ability to grow new roots rapidly and out-compete weeds. In addition, frost resistance during hardening is crucial for relatively cold inland nurseries; recent research shows a positive relationship between N and shoot frost resistance though a knowledge gap exists regarding the influence of nutrition on root frost resistance. Some new evidence also implicates phosphorus as an important driver of seedling response in the Mediterranean due to its influence on root growth and physiology. Nutrient status influences other functional attributes critical to survival in Mediterranean areas, such as drought tolerance, root hydraulic conductivity, and mycorrhization. In light of the apparent benefits of high nutrient reserves for seedling performance in Mediterranean areas, we also review techniques for nursery nutrient loading. Exponential fertilization can be applied when species’ growth patterns match this application regime. However, many Mediterranean species exhibit episodic growth indicating that constant or fall fertilization could be more effective in reaching loading. In particular, late-season fertilization has shown good potential to avert nutrient dilution in the fall and increase frost resistance. Several needs for future research are identified, with special emphasis on the necessity to match fertilization regimes to species ecological traits and planting conditions.

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Acknowledgments

This paper synthesizes results from projects sponsored by multiple funding sources including the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (through Projects OT98-001, AGL2006-12609 Encinut and AGL2011-24296 Ecolpin), the Andalusia Department of Science and Innovation (AGR-6501), Regional Government of Madrid (S2009/AMB-1668), National Institute of Agricultural Research and Polytechnic of Madrid and Cordoba Universities Research Programs. We wish to thank the colleagues with whom we have collaborated on research cited in this review, particularly Francisco Artero, Mari Luz Segura, Pedro Villar-Salvador, and Manuel Fernández. We also thank the organizing committee of the IUFRO Symposium, ‘Nutrient Dynamics of Planted Forests’ for the opportunity to participate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Silvopascicultura, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Juan A. Oliet & Rosa Planelles

  2. Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK

    Jaime Puértolas

  3. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2061, USA

    Douglass F. Jacobs

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  1. Juan A. Oliet
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  2. Jaime Puértolas
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  3. Rosa Planelles
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  4. Douglass F. Jacobs
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Correspondence to Juan A. Oliet.

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Oliet, J.A., Puértolas, J., Planelles, R. et al. Nutrient loading of forest tree seedlings to promote stress resistance and field performance: a Mediterranean perspective. New Forests 44, 649–669 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-013-9382-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-013-9382-8

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