Root growth and nutrient uptake of Norway spruce container seedlings planted in mounded boreal forest soil

摘要

The effects of mounding on root and shoot growth and nutrient uptake in 1- and 2-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings were studied for 2 years after planting at a clear-cut forest site in Finland. Three different mounding treatments (spot mounding with and without mixing, and inverting) were compared with two unscarified treatments with or without a cardboard mulch. All of the mounding treatments that were used enhanced both the root and the shoot growth and also the nutrient uptake of the 1- and 2-year-old seedlings compared with the unscarified treatments. The foliar nitrogen concentration increased after planting, but the concentrations of other nutrients decreased. In particular, foliar boron decreased to a levelof deficiency. The biomass growth of roots and shoots was greater in 2-year old than in 1-year-old seedlings. The results suggest that larger 2-year-old seedlings can utilize improved soil conditions after mounding slightly better than 1-year-old seedlings.