Transplant size affects early growth of a Pinus taeda clone

David South, AL Lyons, Russ Pohl

Abstract


Block-plot experiments in Alabama and Georgia were examined to determine the effects of transplant size on early height growth of a tissue-cultured, Pinus taeda L clone. Ramets of clone L-3576 were transplanted into a bareroot nursery at three spacings. After lifting, the transplants were sorted into three classes according to the diameter at the soil-line; 3-4.9 mm, 5-6.9 mm, 8-9.9 mm. Survival after 5 years in the field was greater than 97% at both thecutover site in Alabama and the grassland site in Georgia. At both sites, transplants with the largest diameter exhibited the greatest height and diameter growth. At year five, the difference in height between the smallest and largest class was approximately 0.5 m. This is roughly equal to a time-gain of 4 to 5 months. Stand uniformity can be improved slightly when planting large stock (when the stock range in initial diameter is 2 mm). Results from these trials suggest that early growth performance of one clone can be affected by the size of transplants at time of planting.

 


Keywords


clone; stock quality; nursery; survival; plantation;

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References


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