Speaker
Description
The positive effects of soil preparation on the survival and growth of planted seedlings have been widely known for a long time. However, recent studies have highlighted the importance of developing new technical solutions for soil preparation to mitigate its harmful environmental impacts. For example, particular interest has fallen upon methods that reduce the intensity of soil disturbance yet still provide favorable growing conditions for seedlings.
A novel and less intensive drill-based soil preparation device was recently developed in Finland. The drill significantly reduces soil disturbance compared to conventional methods, such as disc trenching and mounding. However, the performance of the drill and its effects on forest regeneration success have thus far remained unexamined.
In this study, we established five experimental sites in eastern Finland to evaluate the feasibility of drill-based soil preparation for planting conifer seedlings. The aim of the study was also to provide practical knowledge for the further development of the device. First, we assessed the quality of the planting spots (N = 4120) created by a crawler excavator fitted with the drill-based device. Secondly, we evaluated the early performance of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings that were planted throughout the growing season following soil preparation.
Based on our feasibility study results, the drill primarily resulted in good (61%) and satisfactory (34%) planting spot quality. We found that the presence of stumps, roots, logging residues, and stones decreased the spot quality. Two years after planting, Norway spruce seedlings were, on average, more viable than those of Scots pine. Site fertility and seedling vitality were significant predictors of Norway spruce height. However, further research is needed on the factors that influence seedling survival and growth when using a drill-based soil preparation method.
| Keywords | site preparation; soil disturbance |
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