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Home → Publications → National Nursery Proceedings → 1998 → Excessive Rainfall Prior to Lifting Adversely Affects Seedling Physiology

Excessive Rainfall Prior to Lifting Adversely Affects Seedling Physiology

Observations over the past two decades indicate that waterlogged conditions in the nursery during the fall can adversely affect the transplantability of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) seedlings. Waterlogged seedbeds can occur when frequent rain falls over an extended period of time. Anaerobic conditions can result when warm soils remain saturated for just a few days in November. At some nurseries, rainfall exceeded 50 mm/week for a period of three weeks or more. Fertilization in October might exacerbate the problem due to an increase in respiration of soil microbes. An extended period of anaerobic conditions can alter both the physiology and structure of pine roots. When seedlings are lifted just after a period of anaerobic soil and transplanted in December or early January, a quick death can result due to a lack of new root growth (death often occurs from the roots up as opposed to from the tops down).


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Author(s): David B. South, William A. Carey

Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 1998

Event: Southern Forest Nursery Association Meeting
1998 - Lafayette, LA