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Effects of container cavity size and copper coating on field performance of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) seedlings were grown for 27 weeks in 3 container cavity sizes [small (S), medium (M), and large (L)], and half the containers were coated with copper (Cu). In November 2004, we planted 144 seedlings from each of 6 container treatments in each of 4 replications in central LA. All plots were burned in February 2006. Cavity size or Cu had no effect on seedling survival after one growing season in field. Small seedlings had a lower survival rate than either M or L seedlings from May through November of the second growing season; and Cu did not affect seedling survival the second year. Seedlings of all treatments had 88 to 98 percent survival after 2 years. More than 40 percent of the Cu-L and L seedlings had heights exceeding 12 cm and were considered coming out of the grass stage, whereas fewer than 5 percent of the Cu-S and S seedlings were coming out of the grass stage. Season, but not container treatments, affected photosynthetic rates and chlorophyll contents.

Parent Publication

Citation

Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Haywood, James D.; Sword-Sayer, Mary A.; Connor, Mary A.; Scott, D. Andrew. 2010. Effects of container cavity size and copper coating on field performance of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings. In: Stanturf, John A., ed. 2010. Proceedings of the 14th biennial southern silvicultural research conference; 2007 February 26-March 1; Athens, GA. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–121. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 241-245.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/35746