Effect of acorn size, fencing and protective treatments (treeshelter and mulch) on establishment, growth and survival of Chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey.) seedlings in first growing season

Abstract

The effects of acorn size, fencing and protection treatments (treeshelter and mulch) were investigated on seedling establishment of Chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia) in first growing season. For this purpose, a degraded forest in 750 m above sea level was selected in Loveh forest (Golestan province-Iran). Then, 1728 sound and ripe acorns were selected from a seed lot, collected from six parent trees located in adjacent to the examination area. Using a split-split plot design, the effects of 3 acorn size classes: small (diameter 17 mm), 2 fencing levels (fenced and open), and 4 protection treatments (control, mulch, treeshelter, and treeshelter with mulch) were engaged for measuring the seedlings emergence, establishment percent, total length, and survival rate. At the end of the first growing season, seedlings originated from the large seeds had higher emergence percent, establishment percent, total length and survival rate. Fencing promoted establishment percent about twofold, and treeshelter, singly or with mulch, increased establishment percent, total length and survival. From this investigation, it can be deduced that large seeds in seed sowing can improve seedling establishment chance, provided that suitable methods of collection, sterilization and storage of seed lots are applied. Likewise, treeshelter, singly or along with mulch can improve establishment percent, total length and survival rate, however, with constructing a suitable fence around the plantation area, treeshelter and mulch treatments can be ignored.

Keywords

• Quercus castaneifolia
• seed plantation
• acorn size
• fencing
• treeshelter
• Mulch
• establishment