Impact of Soil Preparation Techniques on Emergence and Early Establishment of Larix sibirica Seedlings

Yingying Xie, Amannisa Kuerban, Abdul Waheed, Yeernazhaer Yiremaikebayi, Hailiang Xu (), Jie Yang and Cui Zhang
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Yingying Xie: College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Amannisa Kuerban: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Abdul Waheed: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Yeernazhaer Yiremaikebayi: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Hailiang Xu: College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Jie Yang: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Cui Zhang: College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: Xinjiang larch ( Larix sibirica Ledeb.) is a keystone species in the Altay Mountains, playing a vital role in maintaining ecosystem stability. This study investigates how different soil preparation techniques (ring, strip, and burrow) influence seed germination and seedling establishment by mitigating apomictic allelopathy. Experimental plots were established using artificial seeding and natural seed dispersal at soil depths of 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm. Seedling survival and development were monitored in June, July, and August 2023. The results demonstrated that sod removal significantly enhanced seed germination by reducing allelopathic inhibition, improving seed–soil contact, and increasing moisture retention. Among the techniques, the ring method yielded the highest rates of seedling establishment, particularly when artificial seeding was combined with natural seed dispersal. Although seedling numbers tended to increase with soil depth, the differences were not statistically significant. Temporal dynamics revealed a peak in seedling survival in July, followed by a subsequent decline. These findings highlight the critical role of optimized soil preparation techniques in promoting successful seedling development. The study offers practical guidance for ecological restoration and sustainable forest management in degraded larch ecosystems of the Altay Mountains.

Keywords: Larix sibirica development; soil preparation methods; seedling renewal dynamics; allelopathic effect; Altay Mountains (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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