Restoration of European yew (Taxus baccata L.) in Mediterranean mountainsimportance of seedling nursery fertilization and post-planting light levels
- Nicolás Peragón, Juan L.
- Benito Matias, Luis F.
- Puértolas Simón, Jaime
ISSN: 2171-5068
Year of publication: 2015
Volume: 24
Issue: 3
Type: Article
More publications in: Forest systems
Abstract
Aim of the study: We studied the influence of nursery fertilization and post-planting light environment on the growth and survival of out-planted two-year-old yew (Taxus baccata) seedlings.Area of study: Post-planting performance was assessed at two sites in the Valsain Forest (Central Mountain Range, Segovia, Spain).Materials and Methods: Seedlings were grown using the same seed-lot, container type and fertirrigation schedule. A soluble fertilizer with two contrasting doses resulting in 239 and 376 mg N per seedling was applied during the whole culture period. Seedlings grown under the highest level of fertilization had greater root collar diameter, height, shoot to root ratio, root and shoot mass, and root growth potential before planting. Post-planting performance was assessed at two sites in the Valsain Forest (Central Mountain Range, Segovia, Spain). In each site, seedlings from both fertilization treatments were planted in three plots with contrasting light environment (full sunlight, and under Pinus sylvestris stands with moderate and deep shade conditions). Survival, diameter and height growth were monitored for six years.Main results: Nursery fertilization did not affect survival, but high fertilization enhanced post-planting growth. Survival was highest under deep shade conditions but growth in this microsite was lower than in higher light sites, revealing a trade-off for survival and growth across light levels.Research highlights: The lower fertilization rate used in this study was suitable to produce seedlings with acceptable quality. Planting under shaded conditions (light availability<30%) is recommended to maximize the initial success of yew plantations in Mediterranean mountains.Keywords: Taxus baccata; plant quality; field growth; survival; reforestation.
Bibliographic References
- References
- Aranda I, Robson TM, Rodríguez-Calcerrada J, Valladares F, 2008. Limited capacity to cope with excessive light in the open and with seasonal drought in the shade in Mediterranean Ilex aquifolium populations. Trees 22, 375-384. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00468-007-0192-5
- Brzeziecki B, Kienast F, 1994. Classifying the life-history strategies of trees on the basis of the Crimean model. Forest Ecol Manag 69:167–187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-1127(94)90227-5
- Calama R, Puértolas J, Madrigal G, Pardos M, 2013. Modeling the environment response of leaf net photosynthesis in Pinus pinea L. natural regeneration. Ecology Modelling 251, 9-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2012.11.029
- Chirino E, Vilagrosa A, Cortina J, Valdecantos A, Fuentes D, Trubat R, Luis VC, Puértolas J, Bautista S, Baeza MJ, Peñuelas JL Vallejo R, 2009. Ecological restoration in degraded drylands: the need to improve the seedling quality and site conditions in the field. In: Forest Management. Grossberg S.P.Nova Science Publishers, pp: 85-157.
- García D, Obeso, JR, 2003. Facilitation by herbivore mediated nurse plants in a threatened tree, Taxus baccata: local effects and landscape level consistency. Ecography 26: 739–750. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0906-7590.2003.03601.x
- Garcia-Martí X, 2007. Producción de material forestal de Taxus baccata L. destinado a planes de conservación. En Serra L. (ed.). El tejo en el Mediterráneo Occidental. Jornadas Internacionales sobre el tejo y las tejeras en el Mediterráneo Occidental. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente. Generalitat Valenciana. Conselleria de Territori i Habitage. CAM. pp. 141-152.
- Iszkulo G, 2010. Success and failure of endangered tree species: low temperatures and low light availability affect survival and growth of European yew (Taxus baccata L.) seedlings. Pol J Ecol 58: 259–271.
- Iszkulo G, BoratynskiI A, 2004. Interaction between canopy tree species and European yew Taxus baccata (Taxaceae). Pol J Ecol 52: 501–509.
- Iszkulo G, Boratynski A, 2006. Analysis of the relationship between photosynthetic photon flux density and natural Taxus baccata seedlings occurrence. Acta Oecol 29: 78–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2005.08.001
- Iszkulo G, Lewandowski A, Jasinska AK, Dering M, 2007. Light limitation of growth in 10-year-old seedlings of Taxus baccata L (European yew). Pol J Ecol 55: 827–831.
- Iszkulo G, Didukh Y, Giertych M, Jasinska AK, Sobierajska K, Szmyt, J, 2012. Weak competitive ability may explain decline of Taxus baccata. Ann. Forest Sci. 69: 705–712. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13595-012-0193-4
- Khatamian H, Lumis GP, 1982. Influence of shade, media and fertility on growth of Taxus. J. Arboric. 8(9): 247-249.
- Larsen HS, South DB, Boyer JN, 1988. Foliar nitrogen content correlates with early growth of loblolly pine seedlings from 20 nurseries. South. J Appl For 12, 181–185.
- Linares JC, 2012. Shifting limiting factors for population dynamics and conservation status of the endangered English yew (Taxus baccata L., Taxaceae). Forest Ecol Manag 291: 119-127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2012.11.009
- Lis-Krzyścin A, 2010. Vitrofosmak glassy fertilizer in the fertilization of nursery-cultivated yew and ninebark. Acta Sci Pol, Hortorum Cultus 9(4): 33-40.
- Navarro RM, Villar-Salvador P, Del Campo A, 2006. Morfología y establecimiento de los plantones. In: Calidad de planta forestal para la restauración en ambientes mediterráneos. Estado actual de conocimientos. Cortina J., Peñuelas J.L., Puértolas J., Savé R., Vilagrosa A. (Coords.), OAPN. Serie Forestal pp. 67–88.
- Navarro RM, Aguilera S, Gil M, López J, Pulido, A, 2008. Edit. Ceder Axarquía. Programa de recuperación del tejo (Taxus baccata L.) en las Sierra Tejeda y Almijara (Málaga-Granada). En: 10 años de estudio sobre Taxus baccata (tejo) y la Sierra Tejeda, Spain. pp. 38-52.
- Navarro RM, Plaza L, Sánchez A, Mallofret E, Arroyo M, Marchal F, Lara MA, 2013. Taxus baccata L. En: Producción y manejo de semillas y plantas forestales. Tomo II. Pemán J., Navarro-Cerrillo R.M., Nicolás J.L., Prada M.A., Serrada R. (Coords.), OAPN. Serie Forestal pp: 501-523.
- Oliet, J, Planelles R Artero F, Valverde R, Jacobs DF, Segura M, 2009. Field performance of Pinus halepensis planted in Mediterranean arid conditions: relative influence of seedling morphology and mineral nutrition. New For 37: 313–331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11056-008-9126-3
- Oria de Rueda JA, 1997. Tejedas. El bosque milenario. Biológica. Mayo: 52-60.
- Padilla FM, Pugnaire FI, 2007. Rooting depth and soil moisture control Mediterranean woody seedling survival during drought. Func Ecol 21, 489-495. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2007.01267.x
- Perrin PM, Mitchell FJG, 2013. Effects of shade on growth, biomass allocation and leaf morpholo¬gy in European yew (Taxus baccata L.). Eur J For Res 132: 211–218. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10342-012-0668-8
- Puértolas J, Gil L, Pardos JA, 2003. Effects of nutritional status and seedling size on field performance of Pinus halepensis planted on former arable land in the Mediterranean basin. Forestry 76: 159-168. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forestry/76.2.159
- Puértolas J, Oliet JA, Jacobs DF, Benito LF, Peñuelas JL, 2010. Is light the key factor for success of tube shelters in forest restoration plantings under Mediterranean climates? Forest Ecol Manag 260, 610-617. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.05.017
- Puértolas J, Jacobs D F, Benito L F, Peñuelas, J L, 2012. Cost-benefit analysis of different container capacities and fertilization regimes in Pinus stock-type production for forest restoration in dry Mediterranean areas. Ecol. Eng. 44: 210-215. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.04.005
- Real Decreto 289/2003, de 7 de marzo, sobre comercialización de los materiales forestales de reproducción. 2003. Boletín Oficial del Estado nº 58, Spain. Pp. 9262-9299.
- Sanz R, Pulido F, Nogués-Bravo D, 2009. Predicting mechanisms across scales: amplified effects of abiotic constraints on the recruitment of yew Taxus baccata. Ecography, 32: 993-1000. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2009.05627.x
- Suszka B, 1985. Conditions for after-ripening and germination of seeds and for seedlings emergence of English yew (Taxus baccata L.). Arbor. Kórnickie, 30: 285-338.
- Thomas P, 2010. Response of Taxus baccata to environmental factors. En: II Jornades sobre el teix a la Mediterrània occidental. Annals de la Delegació de La Garrotxa de la Institució Catalana d'Història Natural (Spain), 4: 5-10.
- Thomas PA, Polwart A, 2003. Taxus baccata L. Biological Flora of the British Isles 229. J Ecol 91: 489-524. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2745.2003.00783.x
- Valladares F, Arrieta S, Aranda I, Lorenzo D, Sánchez-Gómez D, Tena D. Suárez F, Pardos J A, 2005. Shade tolerance, photoinhibition sensivity and phenotypic plasticity of Ilex aquifolium in continental Mediterranean sites. Tree Physiology 25, 1041-1052. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/treephys/25.8.1041
- Van Den Driessche R, 1991. Influence of container nursery regimes on drought resistance of seedlings following planting. I. Survival and growth. Can J For Res 21: 555-565. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/x91-077
- Villar-Salvador P, Planelles R, Enríquez E, Peñuelas JL, 2004. Nursery cultivation regimes, plant functional attributes, and field performance relationships in the Mediterranean oak Quercus ilex L. Forest Ecol Man 196: 257-266. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2004.02.061
- Villar-Salvador P, Puértolas J, Peñuelas JL, Planelles R, 2005. Effect of nitrogen fertilization in the nursery on the drought and frost resistance of Mediterranean forest species. For Syst (formerly Inv Agrarias: Sist Rec For) 14: 408-418.
- Villar-Salvador P, Puértolas J, Cuesta B, Peñuelas JL, Uscola M, Heredia Guerrero N, 2012. Increase in size and nitrogen concentration enhances seedling survival in Mediterranean plantations. Insights from an ecophysiological conceptual model of plant survival. New For 43: 755-770. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11056-012-9328-6