Granular Calcite: A New Cultural Practice to Improve the Physicochemistry of the Peat Substrate, Growth and Morphophysiological Quality of White Spruce Seedlings in Forest Nurseries

Mohammed S. Lamhamedi, Mario Renaud and Isabelle Auger
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Mohammed S. Lamhamedi: Direction de la Recherche Forestière, 2700, rue Einstein, Québec, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
Mario Renaud: Direction de la Recherche Forestière, 2700, rue Einstein, Québec, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
Isabelle Auger: Direction de la Recherche Forestière, 2700, rue Einstein, Québec, QC G1P 3W8, Canada

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 7, 1-27

Abstract: Growing Picea glauca seedlings poses many challenges for forest nursery managers, including reaching the target height at the end of the first growing season (1 + 0) and the homogeneity and uniformity of seedling growth. To increase growth and morphophysiological quality of white spruce seedlings (1 + 0), emphasis was placed on improving the physicochemistry of the acidic peat substrate by replacing silica with granular calcite as a covering material. The objective of our study is to compare the effects of silica and calcite on the physicochemistry of the peat substrate, as well as on growth and mineral nutrition of white spruce seedlings (1 + 0) under forest nursery conditions. Three treatments were used to cover the cavities of large white spruce seedlings produced in containers: silica (29 g/cavity; control treatment), calcite (24 g/cavity) and calcite + (31 g/cavity). At the end of the first growing season, the two calcite treatments significantly increased the total dry mass (28%), roots (27%) and shoot (29%) dry masses and height (24%) compared to silica treatments. Average calcium concentration and content of calcite treatments were significantly higher than that of silica treatment.

Keywords: Picea glauca; peat substrate; granular calcite; physicochemical parameters; growth; logistical models; mineral nutrition; forest nursery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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