K. Ingleby et al., EFFECTS OF MYCORRHIZAL INOCULATION AND FERTILIZER REGIME ON EMERGENCEOF SITKA SPRUCE SEEDLINGS IN BARE-ROOT NURSERY SEEDBEDS, Canadian journal of forest research, 24(3), 1994, pp. 618-623
Seedbeds at two Scottish nurseries (Forfar and Newton) were inoculated
with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria proxima (Boud.) Pat. and sow
n with Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) seed. Numbers of
emergent seedlings were affected by both inoculum and fertilizer treat
ments. Up to 114% more seedlings were found in plots inoculated with l
ive fungus in a vermiculite-peat carrier than in control plots with or
without the same carrier. A similar, although reduced, effect was fou
nd when the live fungus was encapsulated in alginate beads. Applicatio
n of fertilizer (to the seedbed before sowing and subsequently as a to
p dressing) reduced numbers of emergent seedlings at both nurseries; a
t Forfar, numbers in the treatments that had received fertilizer were
40-50% of the numbers in the analogous unfertilized treatments, while
at Newton, the plots that had received live inoculum and fertilizer co
ntained seedling numbers that were 66-72% of those in the comparable u
nfertilized treatment. The effect of inoculant on seedling numbers occ
urred within the first few weeks after inoculation and was independent
of mycorrhizal formation.