Skip to main content

Seedling Quality of Southern Pines

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Forestry Sciences ((FOSC,volume 36))

Abstract

Seedling quality is related to a seedling’s ability to survive prolonged environmental stresses and produce vigorous growth following outplanting. This complex concept includes both a seedling’s “physiological readiness” to grow and suitable morphological features that will allow the seedling to overcome site limitations. Seedling ontogeny (genetically coded course of development) and phenology (response to environment) alter seedling physiology (processes), and fluctuations in physiology are, in turn, manifested in seedling morphology (structure). Morphological criteria for assessing seedling quality — shoot height, root-collar diameter, and root and shoot architecture — can be manipulated by nursery cultural practices. However, to implement these practices, nursery personnel must understand seedling growth dynamics and allometry (interrelationship of shoot and root growth over time). Physiological criteria for assessing quality include water relations, nutrition, carbohydrates, and dormancy and cold hardiness. Water and nutritional status, responsive to environmental changes, also can be influenced by nursery practices and, in turn, affect carbohydrate production and storage and, in part, dormancy and cold hardiness. Inappropriate or ill-timed cultural practices can produce seedlings of inferior morphological grade that perform poorly in the field. Moreover, careless handling during lifting, packaging, storing, and planting can degrade high-quality seedlings such that field survival and growth suffer. To predict quality before planting, nursery managers and foresters can subject seedlings to morphological, physiological, and/or performance tests. The better morphological tests are based on diameter, alone or in combination with height. Physiological tests include mitotic index, carbohydrate concentration, and cold hardiness, and performance tests include root-growth potential and budbreak with or without stressing. Future tests may rely on infrared thermography and spectroradio-metry, chlorophyll a fluorescence, volatile-compound emissions, and biochemical markers.

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

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Armson, K.A., and V. Sadreika. 1974. Forest tree nursery soil management and related practices. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Sault Ste. Marie. 177 p.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Blair, R., and F. Cech. 1974. Morphological seedling grades compared after thirteen growing seasons. Tree Planters’ Notes 25:5–7.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bunting, W.R. 1980. Seedling quality: growth and development — soil relationships, seedling growth and development, density control relationships. Pages 21–42 In Proc. North American Forest Tree Nursery Soils Workshop (L.P. Abrahamson and D.H. Bickelhaupt, eds.). State Univ. of New York, Coll. of Environ. Sci. and Forestry, Syracuse.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Burdett, A.N. 1978. Control of root morphogenesis for improving stability in container-grown lodgepole pine. Can. J. Forest Res. 8:483–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Burdett, A.N., and P.A.F. Martin. 1982. Chemical root pruning of coniferous seedlings. Hort Science 17:622–624.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Cannell, M.G.R. 1978. Improving per hectare forest productivity. Pages 120–148 In Proc. 5th North American Forest Biology Workshop (C.A. Hollis and A.E. Squillace, eds.). Univ. of Florida, Gainesville.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Cannell, M.G.R. 1985. Physiology of southern pine seedlings. Pages 251–274 In Proc. International Symposium on Nursery Management Practices for Southern Pines (D.B. South, ed.). Auburn Univ., Auburn, Ala.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cannell, M.G.R., F.E. Bridgewater, and M.S. Greenwood. 1978. Seedling growth rates, water stress responses and root-shoot relationships related to eight-year volumes among families of Pinus taeda L. Silvae Genet. 27:237–248.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Cannell, M.G.R., and S. Thompson. 1976. An analysis of inherent differences in shoot growth within some north temperate conifers. Pages 173–205 In Tree Physiology and Yield Improvement (M.G.R Cannell and F.T. Last, eds.). Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cannell, M.G.R., and S.C. Willet. 1976. Shoot growth phenology, dry matter distribution and root:shoot ratios of provenances of Populus trichocarpa, Picea sitchensis and Pinus conforta growing in Scotland. Silvae Genet. 25:49–59.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Carlson, W.C. 1985a. Effect of natural chilling and cold storage on budbreak and root growth potential of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Can. J. Forest Res. 15:651–656.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Carlson, W.C. 1985b. Seasonal variation in mitotic index in the stem apex of loblolly pine seedlings. Pages 303–310 In Proc. International Symposium on Nursery Management Practices for Southern Pines (D.B. South, ed.). Auburn Univ., Auburn, Ala.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Carlson, W.C. 1986. Root system considerations in the quality of loblolly pine seedlings. South. J. Appl. Forestry 10:87–92.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Chavasse, C.G.R. 1980. Planting stock quality: a review of factors affecting performance. N.Z. J. Forestry 25:144–171.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Cline, M.L. 1983. Unpublished data, International Paper Co., Bangor, Me.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Cline, M.L. 1985. Unpublished data, International Paper Co., Tuxedo Park, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  17. DeYoe, D.R., and D.R. Drakeford. 1988. Ethylene, ethane, and acetaldehyde emissions as indicators of physiological status for seedling assessment. Page 256 In Proc. 10th North American Forest Biology Workshop (J. Worrall, J. Loo Dinkins, and D.P. Lester, eds.). Vancouver, B.C.

    Google Scholar 

  18. DeYoe, D.R., and D.R. Drakeford. 1989. Assessing seedling response to stress — an operational approach. Plant Physiol. (suppl.) 89:88.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Dickmann, D.I. 1985. The ideotype concept applied to forest trees. Pages 89–101 In Attributes of Trees as Crop Plants (M.G.R. Cannell and J.E. Jackson, eds.). Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Penicuik, Scotland.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Dickson, A., A.L. Leaf, and J.F. Hosner. 1960. Quality appraisal of white spruce and white pine seedling stock in nurseries. Forestry Chron. 36:10–13.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Donald, CM. 1968. The breeding of crop ideotypes. Euphytica 17:385–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Drew, A.P. 1982. Shoot-root plasticity and episodic growth in red pine seedlings. Ann. Bot. 49:347–357.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Drew, A.P., and F.T. Ledig. 1980. Episodic growth and relative shoot:root balance in loblolly pine seedlings. Ann. Bot. 45:143–148.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Duryea, M.L. 1985. Evaluating Seedling Quality: Principles, Procedures, and Predictive Abilities of Major Tests. Forest Res. Lab., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Farmer, R.E. 1978. Yield components in forest trees. Pages 99–115 In Proc. 5th North American Forest Biology Workshop (C.A. Hollis and A.E. Squillace, eds.). Univ. of Florida, Gainesville.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Feret, P.P., R.E. Kreh, and L.E. Dewald. 1985. Root growth potential of stored loblolly pine seedlings. Pages 18–24 In Proc. 3rd Biennial Southern Silviculture Research Conference (E. Shoulders, ed.). U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., South. Forest Exp. Sta., New Orleans, La. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-54.

    Google Scholar 

  27. France, R., and M.L. Cline. 1981. Unpublished data, International Paper Co., Natchez, Miss.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Gagnon, K.G., and J.D. Johnson. 1988. Bud development and dormancy in slash and loblolly pine. I. Speed of budbreak and second year height as related to lifting date. New Forests 2:261–268.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Garber, M. 1983. Effects of chilling and photoperiod on dormancy release of container-grown loblolly pine seedlings. Can. J. Forest Res. 13:1265–1270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Gerhard, K.G. 1986. Ethylene: its relationship to dormancy in loblolly and slash pine. M.S. thesis, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville. 186 p.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Glerum, C., and D. Lavender. 1980. Evaluation of planting stock quality. N. Z. J. Forestry Sci. 10:293–300.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Grigsby, H.C. 1971. Nursery morphology of loblolly pines as an indicator of field performance. Pages 148–153 In Proc. 11th Conference Southern Tree Improvement. Atlanta, Ga.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Grigsgy, H.C. 1975. Performance of large loblolly and shortleaf pine seedlings after 9 to 12 years. U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., South. Forest Exp. Sta., New Orleans, La. Res. Note SO-196.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Hatchell, G.E. 1986. Nursery cultural practices affect field performance of longleaf pine. Pages 148–156 In Proc. International Symposium on Nursery Management Practices for Southern Pines (D.B. South, ed.). Auburn Univ., Auburn, Ala.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Hatchell, G.E. 1987. Nursery cultural practices, seedling morphology, and field performance of longleaf pine. Pages 61–66 In Proc. 4th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference. U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., Southeast. Forest Exp. Sta., Asheville, N.C. Gen. Tech. Rep. SE-42.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Hatchell, G.E., K.W. Dorman, and O.G. Langdon. 1972. Performance of loblolly and slash pine nursery selections. Forest Sci. 18:308–313.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Huberman, M.A. 1935. Computing the index of root extent. U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., South. Forest Exp. Sta., New Orleans, La. Occas. Pap. No. 44.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Huberman, M.A. 1940. Normal growth and development of southern pine seedlings in the nursery. Ecology 21:323–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Huxley, J.S. 1924. Constant differential growth-ratios and their significance. Nature 114:895–896.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Ingestad, T. 1979. Mineral nutrient requirements of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seedlings. Physiol. Plant. 45:373–380.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Jaramillo, A. 1980. Review of techniques used to evaluate seedling quality. Pages 84–95 In Proc. Intermountain Nursery Ass. and Western Forestry Nursery Ass. U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., Intermountain Forest and Range Exp. Sta., Ogden, Utah. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-109.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Johnson, J.D. 1990. Dry matter partitioning in loblolly and slash pine: effects of fertilization and irrigation. Forest Ecol. Manage. 30:147–157.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Johnson, J.D., and J.P. Barnett. 1984. Loblolly pine seedling vigor based on bud development. Pages 138–144 In Proc. 1984 Southern Nursery Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Johnson, J.D., and K.G. Gagnon. 1988. Assessing freeze damage in loblolly pine seedlings: a comparison of ethane production to electrolyte leakage. New Forests 2:65–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Johnson, J.D., S.M. Zedaker, and A.B. Hairston. 1985. Foliage, stem, and root interrelations in young loblolly pine. Forest Sci. 31:891–898.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kramer, P.J., and T.T. Kozlowski. 1979. Physiology of Woody Plants. Academic Press, Orlando, Fla. 811 p.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Kramer, P.J., and R.W. Rose. 1985. Physiological characteristics of loblolly pine seedlings in relation to filed performance. Pages 416–440 In Proc. International Symposium on Nursery Management Practices for Southern Pines (D.B. South, ed.). Auburn Univ., Auburn, Ala.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Krueger, K.W., and J.M. Trappe. 1967. Food reserves and seasonal growth of Douglas-fir seedlings. Forest Sci. 13:192–202.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Lanner, R.M. 1976. Patterns of shoot development in Pinus and their relationship to growth potential. Pages 223–243 In Tree Physiology and Yield Improvement (M.G.R. Cannell and F.T. Last, eds.). Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Lantz, C.W. 1984. Freeze damage to southern pine seedlings in the nursery. Pages 20–29 In Proc. 1984 Southern Nursery Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Lavender, D.P. 1985. Bud dormancy. Pages 7–15 In Evaluating Seedling Quality: Principles, Procedures, and Predictive Abilities of Major Tests (M.L. Duryea, ed.). Forest Res. Lab., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Ledig, F.T., F.H. Bormann, and K.F. Wenger. 1970. The distribution of dry matter growth between shoots and roots in loblolly pine. Bot. Gaz. 131:349–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Ledig, F.T., A.P. Drew, and J.G. Clark. 1976. Maintenance and constructive respiration, photosynthesis, and net assimilation rate in seedlings of pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.). Ann. Bot. 40:289–300.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Ledig, F.T., and T.O. Perry. 1969. Net assimilation rate and growth in loblolly pine seedlings. Forest Sci. 15:431–438.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Marx, D.H., and G.E. Hatchell. 1986. Root stripping of ectomycorrhizae decreases field performance of loblolly and longleaf pine seedlings. South. J. Appl. Forestry 10:173–179.

    Google Scholar 

  56. McDonald, S.E., R.W. Tinus, and C.P.P. Reid. 1981. Root morphology control in forest tree seedling containers. U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., Intermountain Forest and Range Exp. Sta., Ogden, Utah. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-109.

    Google Scholar 

  57. McNabb, K.L. 1985. The relationship of carbohydrate reserves to the quality of bare-root Pinus elliottii var. elliottii (Engelm.) seedlings produced in a northern Florida nursery. Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville. 146 p.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Mexal, J.G. 1980. Seedling bed density influences yield and performance. Pages 89–95 In Proc. Southern Nursery Conference (C.W. Lantz, ed.). U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., Southeast. Area, State and Private Forestry, Atlanta, Ga. Tech.Publ. SA-TP17.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Mexal, J.G., and J.T. Fisher. 1984. Pruning loblolly pine seedlings. Pages 75–83 In Proc. Southern Nursery Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Mexal, J.G., R. Timmis, and W.G. Morris. 1979. Cold-hardiness of containerized loblolly pine seedlings: effect on field survival and growth. South. J. Appl. Forestry 3:15–19.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Monk, C. 1966. Ecological importance of root:shoot ratios. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 93:402–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Nienstaedt, H. 1981. “Super” spruce seedlings continue superior growth for 18 years. U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., North Central Forest Exp. Sta., St. Paul, Minn. Res. Note NC-265. 4 p.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Orlander, G., G. Egnell, and S. Forsen. 1989. Infrared thermography as a means of assessing seedling quality. Scand. J. Forest Res. 4:215–222.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Pharis, R.P., and P.J. Kramer. 1964. The effect of nitrogen and drought on loblolly pine seedlings. I. Growth and composition. Forest Sci. 10:143–150.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Puttonen, P. 1986. Carbohydrate reserves in Pinus sylvestris seedling needles as an attribute of seedling vigor. Scand. J. Forest Res. 1:181–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Ritchie, G.A. 1984. Assessing seedling quality. Pages 243–260 In Forest Nursery Manual (M.L. Duryea and T.D. Landis, eds.). Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Roller, K.J. 1977. Suggested minimum standards for containerized seedlings in Nova Scotia. Canadian Forestry Serv., Dep. of the Environment. Info. Rep. M-X-69.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Romberger, J.A. 1963. Meristems, growth, and development in woody plants. U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., Washington, D.C. Tech. Bull. No. 1293. 214 p.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Rowan, S.J. 1983. Loss of feeder roots lowers seedling survival more than severe black root rot. Tree Planters’ Notes 34:18–20.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Seiler, J.R., and J.D. Johnson. 1988. Physiological and morphological responses of three half-sib families of loblolly pine to water-stress conditioning. Forest Sci. 34:487–495.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Sluder, E.R. 1979. The effects of seed and seedling size on survival and growth of loblolly pine. Tree Planters’ Notes 30:25–28.

    Google Scholar 

  72. South, D.B., and J.G. Mexal. 1984. Growing the “best” seedling for reforestation success. Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, Auburn Univ., Auburn, Ala. Rep. No. 6. 25 p.

    Google Scholar 

  73. South, D.B., J.N. Boyer, and L. Bosch. 1984. Survival and growth of loblolly pine as influenced by seedling grade: 13-year results. South. Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, Auburn Univ., Auburn, Ala. Rep. No. 8. 12 p.

    Google Scholar 

  74. South, D.B., J.G. Mexal, and J.P. van Buijtenen. 1989. The relationship between seedling diameter at planting and long term volume growth of loblolly pine seedlings in east Texas. South. Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, Auburn Univ., Auburn, Ala. Rep. No. 32. 8 p.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Switzer, G.L., and L.E Nelson. 1963. Effects of nursery fertility and density on seedling characteristics yield and field performance of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 27:461–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Tanaka, Y., J.D. Walstad, and J.E. Borrecco. 1976. The effect of wrenching on morphology and field performance of Douglas-fir and loblolly pine seedlings. Can. J. Forest Res. 6:453–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Venator, CR. 1983. First-year survival of morphologically graded loblolly pine seedlings in central Louisiana. Tree Planters’ Notes 34:34–36.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Vidiver, W., P. Toivonene, G. Lister, R. Brooke, and W. Binder. 1988. Variable chlorophyll a fluorescence and its potential use in tree seedling production and forest regeneration. Pages 127–132 In Proc. Combined West. Forest Nursery Council, Forest Nursery Assoc, of British Columbia and Intermountain Forest Nursery Assoc. (T.D. Landis, ed.). U.S.D.A. Forest Serv., Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Exp. Sta„ Ft. Collins, Colo. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-167.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Wakeley, P.C. 1935. Artificial reforestation in the southern region. U.S.D.A. Dep. of Agric, Washington, D.C. Tech. Bull. No. 429. 115 p.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Wakeley, P.C. 1949. Physiological grades of southern pine nursery stock. Pages 311–322 In Proc. Society of American Foresters. Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Wakeley, P.C. 1954. Planting the southern pines. U.S.D.A. Dep. of Agric, Washington, D.C. Agric. Monogr. No. 18..NP 233 p.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Wakeley, P.C. 1965. Results of southern pine planting experiments in the middle twenties. J. Forestry 67:237–241.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Wareing, P.F. 1950. Growth studies in woody plants. I. Photoperiodism in first-year seedlings of Pinus sylvestris. Physiol. Plant. 3:258–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Weatherspoon, P., and J. Laacke. 1985. Infrared thermography for assessing seedling condition — rationale and preliminary observations. Pages 127–135 In Evaluating Seedling Quality: Principles, Procedures, and Predictive Abilities of Major Tests (M.L. Duryea, ed.). Forest Res. Lab., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Weiser, C.J. 1970. Cold resistance and injury in woody plants. Science 169:1269–1278.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Wessman, C.A., J.D. Aber, D.L. Peterson, and J.M. Melillo. 1988. Foliar analysis using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Can. J. Forest Res. 18:6–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Wilkinson, G.B. 1969. Some establishment problems on Southland and Otago. N.Z.J. Forestry 14:170–177.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Willen, P., and R.F. Sutton. 1980. Evaluation of stock after planting. N. Z. J. Forestry Sci. 10:297–299.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Youngberg, C.T. 1980. Benefits of soil and plant analysis to nursery management. Pages 261–268 In Proc. North American Forest Tree Nursery Soils Workshop (L.P. Abrahamson and D.H. Bickelhaupt, eds.). State Univ. of New York, Coll. of Environ. Sci. and Forestry, Syracuse.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Zaerr, J.B. 1985. The role of biochemical measurements in evaluating vigor. Pages 137–141 In Evaluating Seedling Quality: Principles, Procedures, and Predictive Abilities of Major Tests (M.L. Duryea, ed.). Forest Res. Lab., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Zimmermann, M.H., and C.L. Brown. 1971. Trees: Structure and Function. Springer-Verlag, New York. 336 p.

    Google Scholar 

  92. Zobel, B.J. 1978. The influence of forestry trends on nursery operations. Pages 1–9 In Proc. Southern Nursery Conference. Hot Springs, Ark., and Colonial Williamsburg, Va.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Zobel, B.J., R.E. Goddard, and F.C. Cech. 1957. Outstanding nursery seedlings. Texas Forest Serv., College Station. Res. Note No. 18. 14 p.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Johnson, J.D., Cline, M.L. (1991). Seedling Quality of Southern Pines. In: Duryea, M.L., Dougherty, P.M. (eds) Forest Regeneration Manual. Forestry Sciences, vol 36. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3800-0_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3800-0_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-0960-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3800-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics