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Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology
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Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 11941

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yong Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
Interests: theory and technology of tree seedling cultivation; silviculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The industrialization has been developing rapidly in China, leading to serious pollution to the ecological environment. Forests play an irreplaceable role in meeting people’s needs and improving the living environment. Forest seedlings are the basic materials for forest cultivation, that is, the basic materials for tree planting. Sufficient and high-quality seedlings are an important guarantee for forestry construction and land greening. With global warming and deterioration of the ecological environment, the study of the tree seedling quality improvement has attracted wide attention. However, for many tree species, the mechanism of seed dormancy and germination, as well as seedling nutrient accumulation, transportation, and allocation, remain unclear. Furthermore, climate change and soil environment have significant impacts on seed germination and seedling growth. The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together successful case studies, lessons learned, and experiences on the following.

(1) Forest Tree Seeds: seed provenance and its effect on seedling quality; seed development; seed storage method and physiology; techniques for breaking seed dormancy; mechanism of seed dormancy and germination; anatomical structures of tree seeds.

(2) Forest Tree Seedlings: seedling growth characteristics and seedling management of bare-rooted seedlings, container seedlings, vegetative propagated seedlings and transplanting; factors affecting seedling growth; the cutting, grafting and tissue culturing techniques for forest tree seedlings; seedling nutrient allocation, seedling irrigation threshold; seedling storage; seedling quality assessment; the stress resistance of seedlings.

(3) Others: nursery soil and pest management (water management, weed management and fertilizer management are all involved); effects of soil environments, including fertility, pH, microorganism, etc., on tree seeds and seedlings.

Prof. Dr. Yong Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • seed dormancy
  • seed germination mechanism
  • seedling nutrient allocation
  • the stress resistance of seedlings
  • seedling quality assessment

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2986 KiB  
Article
Early Growth Characterization and C:N:P Stoichiometry in Firmiana simplex Seedlings in Response to Shade and Soil Types
by Ximin Zhi, Yi Song, Deshui Yu, Wenzhang Qian, Min He, Xi Lin, Danju Zhang and Shun Gao
Forests 2023, 14(7), 1481; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f14071481 - 19 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1024
Abstract
Light and soil environments have extensive heterogeneity for many plants species affecting plant growth, reproduction, and distribution. However, the interaction effects of these two factors on the ecophysiological traits and adaptive strategy of plants remain largely unclear. In the present study, we set [...] Read more.
Light and soil environments have extensive heterogeneity for many plants species affecting plant growth, reproduction, and distribution. However, the interaction effects of these two factors on the ecophysiological traits and adaptive strategy of plants remain largely unclear. In the present study, we set four shading levels and three soil types to investigate the effects of shade and soil type on seedlings growth, C:N:P stoichiometry responses, and nutrient use efficiency in Firmiana simplex (F. simplex). The maximum of total biomass was observed in acid purple soil under 75% shade, with a maximum difference of 3.6 times. With the increase in shading intensity, C content in the root, stem, and leaf reached maximum value under 75% shade. However, C content in the root and N content in the stem reached a maximum value of 420.6 g·kg−1 and 13.7 g·kg−1 in acid purple soil, respectively. With the increase in shading intensity, the total C and N accumulation showed a trend of progressive increase and then decrease, reaching the maximum value of 346.2 mg and 10.7 mg under 75% shade, respectively. The N:P ratios of various organ ranged from 3.1 to 11.9 in acid purple soil and red soil, indicating that the seedlings growth was restricted by nitrogen. We concluded that the interactions of shade and soil types might adjust the C:N:P stoichiometry and influence the dynamic balance between nutrients and organs in F. simplex seedlings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology)
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14 pages, 2039 KiB  
Article
Effect of Hydropriming and Osmopriming on the Germination and Seedling Vigor of the East Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album L.)
by Harish Debta, T. K. Kunhamu, Peter Petrík, Peter Fleischer, Jr. and K. C. Jisha
Forests 2023, 14(6), 1076; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f14061076 - 23 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1605
Abstract
The natural populations of East Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) are very confined and are facing a drastic decline over the past three decades due to overexploitation. Santalum album L. seeds, in general, have poor and staggered germination, which is the major [...] Read more.
The natural populations of East Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) are very confined and are facing a drastic decline over the past three decades due to overexploitation. Santalum album L. seeds, in general, have poor and staggered germination, which is the major constraint in raising seedlings in nursery and establishing plantations. In the present investigation, we studied the impact of hydro- and osmopriming on the germination attributes and seedling performance of Santalum album L. The Polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) solutions at four concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20% and four durations of 2, 4, 6, and 8 days and hydropriming for the same durations were applied. Results indicated that the osmopriming of seeds at PEG solutions at 5% concentrations for 2 days recorded the highest germination (79%), which is 42% higher than the control group. Longer priming times (6–8 days) had no effect or negatively affected the germination and growth. Moreover, hydropriming had no significant impact on the germination percentage of sandalwood seeds. The positive growth after osmopriming was connected with higher β-amylase content, higher carbohydrate and fat content, and lower electrical conductance of the seeds. Osmopriming can be recommended as a suitable and low-cost technology in enhancing the seed germination and seedling growth of Santalum album L. to produce quality planting material. Further testing of osmoprimed seedlings under abiotic stress conditions may help to explore its possible acclimation potential for stress resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology)
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21 pages, 3999 KiB  
Article
Physiological Differences and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal That High Enzyme Activity Significantly Enhances Drought Tolerance in Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata)
by Shubin Li, Xinyang Yan, Xiaoyan Huang, Shalom Daniel Addo-Danso, Sizu Lin and Lili Zhou
Forests 2023, 14(5), 967; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f14050967 - 07 May 2023
Viewed by 1271
Abstract
Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is the most cultivated timber species in China, with a plantation area of 11 million ha. Due to its extensive geographical distribution, drought stress caused by the spatial and seasonal heterogeneity of precipitation has limited its survival [...] Read more.
Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is the most cultivated timber species in China, with a plantation area of 11 million ha. Due to its extensive geographical distribution, drought stress caused by the spatial and seasonal heterogeneity of precipitation has limited its survival and productivity. To facilitate the breeding of drought-tolerant clones and understand the inter-response mechanisms to drought stress, we screened two drought-tolerant (DT) clones and evaluated their differences in physiological and molecular response to drought. The results showed that the No. 228 clone (high-DT ability) had higher antioxidant enzyme abilities than the No. 026 clone (low-DT ability) under drought stress, e.g., peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Transcriptome analyses revealed that 6637 genes and 1168 genes were up-regulated in No. 228 and No. 026 under drought stress, respectively, when compared to the control (CK). The genes may participate in response to drought-stimulated signal transduction, water/oxygen-containing compound synthesis, photosynthesis, and transmembrane transport functions. Particularly, under drought stress, 14,213 up-regulated and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed in the No. 228 clone compared with the No. 026 clone, and 4274 up-regulated genes were differentially expressed (15-fold difference). These significant DEGs were involved in plant hormone signal transduction, flavonoid biosynthesis, peroxisomes, and other key pathways related to drought. Interestingly, under drought stress, two Chitinases (ClCHIs) and four POD genes (ClPERs) were induced to express in No. 228, which was consistent with the higher antioxidant enzyme activities in No. 228. A heat map of 49 DEGs revealed that dehydrin family genes, ion binding/transmembrane proteins, auxin receptor proteins, and ethylene-responsive transcription factors were significantly up-regulated under drought stress. The results can enhance our understanding of drought tolerance mechanisms and provide a guideline for screening DT genes and breeding drought-tolerant Chinese fir clones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology)
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14 pages, 2992 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Root and Stem Growth and Physiological Changes in Pinus bungeana Zucc. Seedlings by Microbial Inoculant Application
by Yi-Ming Liu, Fang Zheng, Zhao-Hui Liu, Hai-Bo Lan, Ye-Hong Cui, Tong-Guo Gao, Marja Roitto and Ai-Fang Wang
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1836; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f13111836 - 04 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1235
Abstract
Background and Objectives: As an extensively used tree species in landscaping and afforestation in China, lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana Zucc.) seedlings are in high demand. However, the small number of fine roots and the low growth rate of lacebark pine seedlings increase [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: As an extensively used tree species in landscaping and afforestation in China, lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana Zucc.) seedlings are in high demand. However, the small number of fine roots and the low growth rate of lacebark pine seedlings increase the risks encountered during transplant and extend the nursery time for outplanting. We aimed to find out whether a microbial inoculant would promote root growth and accordingly, shorten the nursery cultivation time. Materials and Methods: One-year-old lacebark pine seedlings were treated with the inoculant Bacillus subtilis 8–32 six times from June to September. At each application time, five treatments of undiluted microbial inoculants (UM), 30 times diluted microbial inoculants (30 DM), 40 times diluted microbial inoculants (40 DM), 50 times diluted microbial inoculants (50 DM), and distilled water as a control (CTRL) were administered to the seedlings. In the end, all the seedlings were harvested to measure the root growth, aboveground growth, and the physiological indices. Results: Root and stem growth was enhanced by the inoculants in terms of the increased number of root tips, the length and surface area of the roots, the biomass of the roots and stems, as well as the increase in height and basal stem diameter. The chlorophyll a/b of the needles was increased, in spite of the fact that the total chlorophyll content was decreased by the microbial inoculant treatments at the end of the growth phase. Meanwhile, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of the needles was increased by the inoculant treatments. The soluble sugar content was additionally translocated into the stems in the UM treatment, suggesting the change in carbon allocation. The content of available potassium, phosphorus, and ammonium nitrogen in the potting soil was increased in the 30 DM group, and the content of soil organic matter was increased in all the inoculant treatments. Conclusions: The microbial inoculant Bacillus subtilis 8–32, in appropriate concentrations, could be applied to promote root and shoot growth and improve the seedling quality of the lacebark pine during cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology)
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18 pages, 6639 KiB  
Article
Study on the Dormancy Characteristics of Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis Bunge) Seeds
by Huanhuan Guo, Yong Liu, Haijiao Wang and Shiqin Li
Forests 2022, 13(9), 1521; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f13091521 - 19 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1600
Abstract
Chinese pistache tree (Pistacia chinensis Bunge, Anacardiaceae) is an important oil, ornamental and afforestation tree species. Seeds of this species are known due to their erratic germination, so it is urgent to determine the causes of such dormancy. To do so, we [...] Read more.
Chinese pistache tree (Pistacia chinensis Bunge, Anacardiaceae) is an important oil, ornamental and afforestation tree species. Seeds of this species are known due to their erratic germination, so it is urgent to determine the causes of such dormancy. To do so, we tested water permeability, respiration rate, mechanical constraint and germination inhibitors. The results indicated that the testa was water-permeable, the raphe and hilum as the areas that contributed most to imbibition. Removal of the testa increased the imbibition rate and improved the oxygen availability to the embryo. Furthermore, the analysis of the extracts showed that the endotesta and embryo may contain inhibitors that negatively affect germination and seedling growth. The widely targeted metabolomics revealed that phenolic acids and organic acids may be the potential inhibitors. Seed scarification, exogenous gibberellin (GA3) and cold stratification greatly increased the germination, but seed scarification (removal of the exotesta and 1/2 cotyledon) was the most effective strategy, since it increased the germination up to 89% after 5 days of incubation, a rate significantly higher regarding the other strategies, which barely reached 60% in 20 days. In conclusion, there seems to exist both a mechanical dormancy due to the testa and a physiological inhibition due to the embryo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology)
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15 pages, 2698 KiB  
Article
Magnetic Treatment Improves the Seedling Growth, Nitrogen Metabolism, and Mineral Nutrient Contents in Populus × euramericana ‘Neva’ under Cadmium Stress
by Xiumei Liu, Lu Wang, Fengyun Ma, Jianyao Guo, Hong Zhu, Shiyuan Meng, Sisheng Bi and Huatian Wang
Forests 2022, 13(6), 947; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f13060947 - 17 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1588
Abstract
This pot experiment was carried out to investigate the mechanism underlying nutrient metabolism and seedling growth responses to magnetic treatment following exposure to cadmium (Cd) stress. A magnetic device of 300 Gs was applied during Cd(NO3)2 solution treatment at 0 [...] Read more.
This pot experiment was carried out to investigate the mechanism underlying nutrient metabolism and seedling growth responses to magnetic treatment following exposure to cadmium (Cd) stress. A magnetic device of 300 Gs was applied during Cd(NO3)2 solution treatment at 0 and 100 mM·L−1. One-year-old seedlings of Populus × euramericana ‘Neva’ were treated with different Cd(NO3)2 solutions in the presence or absence of magnetic treatment for 30 days. Seedling growth and physiological–biochemical indexes were measured under Cd stress. The contents of ammonium (NH4+–N), nitrate (NO3––N), and total nitrogen (TN) in leaves, as well as NH4+–N and TN in roots, were increased by magnetic treatment combined with Cd stress, although the NO3––N content was decreased. The activities of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) in leaves and the activities of NR, glutamine synthetase (GS), and GOGAT in roots were stimulated by magnetic treatment; conversely, the NiR activity in roots was inhibited by magnetic effects. Magnetic treatment improved the synthesis of cysteine (Cys) and glutamine (Gln) in leaves and reduced the contents of glutamic acid (Glu) and glycine (Gly), while the contents of Cys, Glu, Gln, and Gly were increased in roots. The contents of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in leaves were increased by magnetic treatment under Cd stress, whereas the content of K was reduced. In roots, the contents of K, Ca, and Fe were increased by magnetic treatment under Cd stress, but the contents of Na, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu were decreased. Magnetization could regulate the uptake of mineral nutrients by roots and translocation from the roots to the aboveground parts by affecting root morphology. Magnetic treatment could also improve nitrogen assimilation and the synthesis of free amino acids by stimulating the activities of key enzymes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology)
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27 pages, 6527 KiB  
Article
New Detection Method for Fungal Infection in Silver Fir Seeds
by Piotr Borowik, Marcin Stocki, Maria Fasano, Aleh Marozau, Tadeusz Malewski, Tomasz Oszako, Tom Hsiang, Miłosz Tkaczyk and Rafał Tarakowski
Forests 2022, 13(3), 479; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f13030479 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2409
Abstract
Silver fir trees have cycles of low and high seed production, and thus it is necessary to collect seeds in high production years to save them for low production years to ensure the continuity of nursery production. Tree seeds can be stored loosely [...] Read more.
Silver fir trees have cycles of low and high seed production, and thus it is necessary to collect seeds in high production years to save them for low production years to ensure the continuity of nursery production. Tree seeds can be stored loosely in piles or containers, but they need to be checked for viability before planting. The objective of this study was to find a quick and inexpensive method to determine the suitability of seed lots for planting. The working hypothesis was that an electronic nose device could be used to detect odors from fungi or from decomposing organic material, and thus aid in determination of whether seeds could be sown or discarded. To affirm and supplement results from the electronic nose, we used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to detect volatile secondary metabolites such as limonene and cadienes, which were found at the highest concentrations in both, infected and uninfected seeds. Uninfected seeds contained exceptionally high concentrations of pinene, which are known to be involved in plant resistance responses. Statistically higher levels of terpineol were found in infected seeds than in uninfected seeds. A prototype of our electronic nose partially discriminated between healthy and spoiled seeds, and between green and white fungal colonies grown on incubated seeds. These preliminary observations were encouraging and we plan to develop a practical device that will be useful for forestry and horticulture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Forest Tree Seedling Cultivation Technology)
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