Investigations of Shingle Tow Packing Material for Conifer Seedlings

摘要

Western red cedar shingle tow is used extensively in forest nurseries to keep seedling roots moist during storage and shipment. Chemical compounds found in cedar wood, particularly thujaplicins, can depress root respiration or kill seedlings. Concentrations up to 120 p.p.m. thujaplicins have been found in nursery samples of tow. Soil on seedling roots can adsorb thujaplicins and moderate their influence. A number of factors affect availability and uptake and determine whether the net effect of shingle tow use will be detrimental or not.