Growth performance and resistance to ground late frosts of Fagus sylvatica L. plantation treated with a brassinosteroid compound

Abstract

We measured the initial growth performance of a young plantation of European beech treated with a brassinosteroid compound prior to planting and compared it with a control treatment: we assessed heights, root collar diameters and mortality rate during the period 2012-2015. The trees showed posterior damage by ground frost after a substantial late frost event on the night of 4-5 May 2014. Therefore, we evaluated the post-stress vitality of trees, subsequent height increment from spring to August, and the height range of the damage. Mean height, root collar diameter, and mortality rate did not show any significantly better performance in the brassinosteroid treatment over the control treatment. Neither did the application treatment have a significant positive effect on the resistance of beech to late frosts. The severe frost damage was most intense at 30 cm above ground, and rapidly declined with increased height.

Keywords

• european beech
• brassinolide
• frost events
• vitality of trees
• forest plantations