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Krisans, O., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Kalnins, J., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Purins, M., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Kapostins, R., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Jansons, A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia)

Prolonged summer drought periods are forecasted for the Baltic Sea region during the 21st century, thus increasing the risk of drought stress of saplings used in forest regeneration. Nevertheless, the vitality of young stands might be increased by the selection of suitable planting material. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of changes in distribution of summer precipitation on height increment, biomass distribution and root morphology of Scots pine and silver birch planting material commonly used in the forest regeneration in Latvia. Containerized pine and bare rooted birch saplings, planted in three different soil types, were subjected to altered distribution of summer precipitation, provided by the use of automated shelter. Sheltered saplings were weekly irrigated with the sum of precipitation of a corresponding period, while afield planted saplings had an unchanged precipitation regime and served as control. Height increment was measured once per week and estimation of morphology of saplings was done after the end of every vegetation season. Significant (p is less than 0.05) differences in height increment, and shoot and root biomass were observed among the same planting material in different irrigation regimes and soil types. In the control plots of peat soil, pine had a significantly (p is less than 0.05) larger height increment while birch-significantly (p is less than 0.05) smaller compared to experiment. Forecasted longer drought periods might reduce the growth of Scots pine in fertile forest types but silver birch growth might be affected in fertile mineral soils in future.

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