Growing Density and Cavity Volume of Container Influence Major Temperate Broad-leaved Tree Species of Physiological Characteristics in Nursery Stage

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of container types on physiological characteristics of Zelkova serrata, Fraxinus rhynchophylla and Quercus serrata in the container nursery stage. We used 16 container types [4 growing densities (100, 144, 196 and 256 seedlings/m² ) x 4 cavity volumes (460, 380, 300 and 220 cm³ /cavity)] and performed two-way ANOVA to test the differences in photosynthesis, photochemical efficiency and chlorophyll content among container types. Also, multiple regression analysis was conducted to correlate container dimensions with photosynthetic rate. Container types had a strong influence on photosynthesis of three species seedlings. Growing densities and cavity volumes had a significant interaction effect on photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll contents except stomatal conductance of Q. serrata. In all three species, however, interactions between the two factors of container type were not found with regard to photochemical efficiency. Growing density was negatively correlated with photosynthetic rate of F rhynchophylla and Q. serrata, while cavity volumes positively affected on those of three species seedlings. The range of optimal container types was determined by multiple regression analysis based on photosynthetic rate. Consequently, optimal growing density and cavity volume of container by each tree species were found to be approximately 160~210 seedlings/m² and 430~460 cm3 /cavity for Z. serrata, 130~150 seedlings/m² and 390~440 cm³ /cavity for F. rhynchophylla and 130~170 seedlings/m² and 420~460 cm³ /cavity for Q. serrata, respectively. Application of adequate container will induce higher quality seedling production in nursery stage, which will also increase seedling growth in plantation stage.