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Irrigation in Forest-Tree Nurseries: Monitoring and Effects on Seedling Growth

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Forestry Nursery Manual: Production of Bareroot Seedlings

Part of the book series: Forestry Sciences ((FOSC,volume 11))

Abstract

The main objective of nursery irrigation is to avoid unwanted seedling moisture stress and its negative consequences for seedlings. Soil water potential, best measured by the tensiometer, decreases as soil water content drops; this relationship changes with soil texture. The secret of effective nursery irrigation is to keep soil pores filled with the proper balance of water and air to minimize moisture stress. Plant water potential, best measured by the pressure chamber, is the single most useful indicator of seedling moisture stress; predawn readings are the most stable, midday readings the second most stable. Soilmoisture retention curves, soil- and plant-moisture monitoring procedures, and careful observation together form the best approach for properly monitoring and controlling irrigation, assuming the irrigation system is a good one. However, because crop responses vary due to environmental modification, nursery climate, tree species, and seed source, managers need phenological information to fully anticipate seedling response to cultural operations. Seedlings must be protected from the damaging effects of frost and heat; overhead irrigation sprinkling is the most common, effective method for accomplishing both. Top dormancy of seedlings in late summer should be encouraged so that trees can become hardy long before the first frost; proper irrigation scheduling assures the desired seedling growth early in the season and induces dormancy (by imposing a moderate moisture-stress level) later on, thereby enhancing frost hardiness. In sum, knowing when and when not to irrigate should help nursery managers implement the most effective irrigation monitoring and application programs possible.

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Authors
  1. S. E. McDonald
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, 97331, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

    Mary L. Duryea (Assistant Professor, Leader, Nursery Technology Cooperative) (Assistant Professor, Leader, Nursery Technology Cooperative)

  2. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Post Office Box 25127, 80225, Denver, Colorado, USA

    Thomas D. Landis (Western Nursery and Greenhouse Specialist) (Western Nursery and Greenhouse Specialist)

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© 1984 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague

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McDonald, S.E. (1984). Irrigation in Forest-Tree Nurseries: Monitoring and Effects on Seedling Growth. In: Duryea, M.L., Landis, T.D., Perry, C.R. (eds) Forestry Nursery Manual: Production of Bareroot Seedlings. Forestry Sciences, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6110-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6110-4_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-6112-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-6110-4

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