Mini-plugs: a review on size, soil substrate and seed source
2012
Iakovoglou, V. (Forest Research Institute, Thessaloniki (Greece)) | Radoglou, K. (Forest Research Institute, Thessaloniki (Greece))
Greek forest nurseries are urged to produce a substantial number of seedlings in order to respond to regeneration needs. Nonetheless, the transplanting success faces many obstacles, mainly due to the adverse environmental conditions that Mediterranean ecosystems pose. The ability to produce adequate number of seedlings, accompanied with the “best” quality is a great challenge. The use of mini-plugs enables to combine the ability to grow a great number of seedlings within a short period of time, while also altering the seedling‟s quality by using the proper mini-plug size. Further, the use of right size in conjunction with other parameters, such as soil substrate, could also improve the seedling‟s quality. This paper reviews research that has been conducted on the effect of mini-plugs that varied based on their size, soil substrate and seed source. Specifically, the citied forestry species were Arbutus andrachne L., Cupressus sempervirens L., Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold Pinus brutia Ten., Picea abies L. Karst., Robinia pseudoacacia L. The studied seedling characteristics were morphological (ex. shoot length) and physiological (ex. root growth potential). Based on the reported results, size substantially affected the growth of those seedlings that varied among the studied species, as well as among the studied variables of each species. Similarly, soil substrate as well as seed source also affected the seedling growth. Moreover, these effects have also been found to be carried over even under field conditions by substantially affecting survival success. Overall, specific desired seedling characteristics that favor regeneration success, such as greater roots, could be achieved by the use of the proper mini-plug size, soil substrate and seed source. Nonetheless, the results varied substantially among species, suggesting that species is a key factor that should always be taken into account in order to achieve the best seedling quality.
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