Production and outplanting success of nutrient-loaded aspen seedlings

• Author / Creator

  Schott, Kaitlin M.

• Quality aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) nursery seedlings are difficult to produce. In this thesis I explored methods to improve the nutrient status (loading) of aspen seedlings. Tissue nutrient concentrations doubled in seedlings treated with a shoot growth inhibitor (SGI) compared to exponential fertilization which resulted in poor quality (small) seedlings with lower nutrients. Nutrient loaded and standard feed SGI seedlings were outplanted on a reclamation site in two capping materials (peat-mineral-mix (PMM) and salvaged forest floor). Superimposed were also four different fertilizer regimes. Loaded aspen seedlings always outperformed standard seedlings, grew better on PMM capping material, and a controlled release fertilizer had a longer lasting effect on seedling growth than the immediate release fertilizer. These differences continued in the second growing season. SGI treatment allows for the production of nutrient loaded aspen seedlings, produces uniform and quality seedling stock, and can reduce broadcast fertilization needs on reclamation sites.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Nutrient and carbon reserves
  • Nursery seedling quality
  • Populus-tremuloides
  • Seedling outplanting performance
  • Nutrient loading
  • Paclobutrazol

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3445HK7K

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.