NITRATE FERTILIZATION STIMULATES EMERGENCE OF RED RASPBERRY (RUBUS-IDAEUS L) UNDER FOREST CANOPY

Nitrate-nitrogen fertilization triggered germination of dormant Rubus idaeus L. (red raspberry) seeds naturally buried in the forest floor o f 50-year-old coniferous stands of eastern Quebec. Orthogonal contrast s revealed a significant linear effect between the rates of nitrate ap plied and red raspberry seedling counts over two consecutive growing s easons. The fertilization treatments stimulated emergence to a greater extent in year 2 than in year 1. The potential effect of nitrate on r aspberry seed dormancy breakage is briefly discussed in relation to si te disturbance.